If you live in a big city, more than likely you’ll eventually cross paths with urban vermin. Rats, mice, cockroaches—these unsavory annoyances have been icking humans out ever since large groups of people began congregating and putting down…
Back in the late ‘80s, pop stars Milli Vanilli once had a hit song called “Blame It on the Rain.” And while ‘it’ for the singing duo was about heartache and lost love, the rain can bring a very different kind of pain to the board and resid…
If you’re a co-op, condo or HOA board member or manager, you have to deal with vendors and service providers constantly; it’s a routine part of the day-to-day running of any building or association. There are always inspections to be done, …
It's hard to imagine that seven months from now, the fifth anniversary of Superstorm Sandy hitting the East Coast will be upon us. The memories of that day on October 29, 2012, and its immediate aftermath, are still vivid for those who sur…
Making sure your building or association has adequate funds to carry out major capital projects - roof repairs, boiler/HVAC replacements, new windows, etc. - is a crucial part of your board's fiduciary duty, and conducting a capital assessm…
A primary rule of cooperative living is that everyone pitches in their fair share. This applies to monthly maintenance payments, special assessments, and any other monetary obligation that allows the association to maintain quality of life…
A comprehensive reserve study is a board's most valuable tool when it comes to planning for major maintenance and replacement projects in their buildings and communities. In this clip, engineering and consulting pros discuss the importance …
In the wake of the recession and facing an uncertain economic climate on the heels of a tumultuous presidential election, condo, co-op, and HOA boards may instinctively want to pinch pennies where they can, especially when it comes to maint…
Time will tell whether global warming and climate change eventually make winter—and its attendant snow, ice, sleet, and other challenging weather issues—extinct, but for now at least, the colder months can take a seasonal toll on buildings …
Most of us don't think much about the pipes that deliver water to our homes (and carry waste far away from them), but your building's plumbing health is a crucial part of basic maintenance.