Q. I purchased my condo unit in 2005 with amenities, including 24-hour security, two pools, a parking lot, and a children’s playground. This past summer, our board destroyed the children’s playground and made their additional parking spac…
Q. We had some gutter and minor roof repairs scheduled.The budget is tight for some other reasons and the president stated that her husband was qualified and would do the work for free. He is not licensed or insured and will be working on…
Q. Can you tell me if it is legal for a co-op board to turn down the sale of a unit because they think the selling price is too low? The appraisal from a well-known real estate appraiser was much lower than the contract price. However, th…
Q. If a couple is married, but only one of their names appears on the lease, are they both still considered shareholders? Do they both have voting rights? On a related note, according to the bylaws of my building: “nominations for direc…
Q. My co-op has not had an election of new board members in over 20 years. The president sends a notice of the annual meeting--’come for coffee and donuts’-- but never mentions there is an election due. Now she is holding the annual meeti…
Q. Is ordinance or law insurance required in New York State for co-ops? I am being turned down for refinancing my mortgage because our building does not have this insurance. Is it mandated for co-ops? They have all other required insuranc…
Q. Can a unit owner demand to see a copy of the monthly list of unit owners' payments of the monthly HOA? —Shareholder Seeking Open Access to Documents A. “Yes,” says attorney Aaron Shmulewitz of the New York City firm of Belkin Burde…
Q. Buying a co-op vs. a condo probably wasn't the best choice given how dictatorial my board is. What is your suggestion for trying to sell my co-op without a traditional real estate agent? —Spurned O…
Q. In the 23 years that I have been a resident shareholder, the building has used my terrace cumulatively for facade work for over five years. In addition to the severe strain on my health, well being and work, these scaffolding installat…
Q. I live on first floor apartment in a co-op building. Next to the building is a bakery and the owner and his employees smoke all the time in front of my windows .The smoke is coming in my house (I have to paint one of the wall got dark …