Money saving and energy conservation go together like hand and glove -- but how they fit isn't always the easiest to understand. In this quick clip, a conservation pro discusses how boards can assess their energy-related equipment for signs…
Living in a multifamily dwelling requires tolerance for other people, particularly when those people are noisy, smelly, or have questionable taste in door decorations. In New York, where the majority of people share a wall with at least one…
The benchmark for calculating capital gains on your unit is determining your cost basis in the unit. The cost basis for co-op and condominium units is calculated on the original purchase price of the shares or unit, plus capital improvement…
Hiring a new management company - to replace your current company, or for the first time ever - is a big deal for a board. Knowing what to look for in the person or people who will be handling crucial business and administration for your co…
As much as a prudent, conscientious board may try to keep a lid on expenditures, sometimes shelling out is unavoidable. When it comes to legal costs though, 'shelling out' can often result in a bad case of sticker shock. In this clip, legal…
Community associations are microcosms of democracy, run by an elected board of volunteers trusted to make good decisions on behalf of the community as a whole. Boards make the call on every large and small issue for their constituency. So i…
Removing a disruptive, abusive, non-paying, or otherwise problematic tenant from a rental building is relatively easy. Doing the same thing in a co-op is also possible, though substantially harder. But removing a condo owner from the premis…
The viability of the 421-a tax abatement was up in the air last month as the New York State Senate passed sweeping reforms via a rent regulation bill which has caused quite a stir in the real estate community. After pushback from developer…
Community living comes with lots of rules and regulations—many of which are codified in largely static, hard-to-amend governing documents like proprietary leases and condominium declarations. Others are laid out in the more flexible context…
This past spring, New York City took a huge step in confronting the threat of climate change with its own version of a ‘Green New Deal.’ On April 18, the City Council passed the Climate Mobilization Act, a package of bills aimed at getting …