Page 17 - CooperatorNews New York January 2022

COOPERATORNEWS.COM COOPERATORNEWS — JANUARY 2022 17 MACKOUL RISK SOLUTIONS Less than 10% of community associations have proper coverage in the event of a breach. www.mackoul.com Is your association covered for a cyber attack? THE AVERAGE COST OF A DATA BREACH IS $3.86 MILLION AS OF 2020. * * FORBES.COM These alarming cybersecurity statistics are a call to take risk management more seriously. Contact Mackoul today to help reduce your association’s risk! CYBER INSURANCE There is a hacker attack every 39 seconds. Phishing attacks account for more than 80% of reported security incidents. MACKOUL RISK SOLUTIONS Are you keeping up with safety measures to protect your HOA’s sensitive data? Get an Instant Quote! 25 Nassau Lane Island Park, NY 11558 516-431-9100 www.mackoul.com We handle all sprinkler system inspections and violations. • Sprinkler System Design and Installation • Maintenance, repair and service • Flow and Pressure tests • Violation Removals • Monthly Inspections • Stand Pipes and Fire Pumps Big Apple Fire Sprinkler Co. Inc. 64-20 Laurel Hill Blvd. Woodside NY 11377 • 718-205-8580 • Fax 718-205-4590 Email: alevitt@bigapplesprinkler.com = Big Apple Fire Sprinkler_Oct2011.qxp:Layout 1 9/20/11 2:07 PM Page 1 YOU’RE GOING TO NEED BOARD APPROVAL FOR THAT! PLAN REVIEWS to the American Pet Products Association (APPA) showed that an overwhelming ma- jority—68%—of U.S. households had a pet. Th at number has undoubtedly increased since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. According to the American So- ciety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), 23 million American households have acquired a pet during the COVID-19 crisis. Given the mental and emotional toll that the pandemic has taken on all of us, it could be argued that these are indeed emo- tional support animals, whether specifi cally ESA-identifi ed or not. Th e organization’s website reminds us that “pets provide com- panionship, comfort, consolation, and a sense of security. Th ey have positive impacts on us at every stage of life—numerous studies have shown that pet owners live longer, visit doctors less oft en, recover from illness more quickly, and have more positive outlooks than those who do not have pets.” Some states are even wading into the is- sue. Nevada for instance recently passed legislation to prevent common interest de- velopment communities governed by HOAs from restricting pets, and other states and municipalities are doing the same. A federal bill introduced into the U.S. House of Repre- sentatives in 2021 seeks to eliminate the breed and size restrictions on dogs in public hous- ing, “allowing families to access aff ordable and stable housing while keeping their pets with them,” explains the ASPCA, in addition to keeping those animals out of overcrowded, under-resourced shelters and rescue centers. (Th e bill would still allow housing authorities to exercise discretion in restricting potentially dangerous individual animals, but would re- move housing barriers for thousands of re- sponsible pet owners.) “Th roughout the country,” says an ASP- CA representative, “this stressful period has motivated many people to foster and adopt animals—as well as further cherish the pets already in their lives. We’re seeing that pets are incredible sources of love and companion- ship in our lives and bring more comfort than ever during these stressful times…We rely on them as much as they rely on us.” As pet—and especially dog—ownership has increased nationwide, condominiums, co-ops, and HOAs should make sure to re- view their pet policies, communicate them clearly and oft en to both new and old resi- dents, and consider establishing procedures for reviewing reasonable accommodation re- quests for ESAs. Each of these requests should be considered individually and according to the relevant facts of the situation, and with the guidance of legal counsel. And residents with dogs—or those considering getting one— should remember that they are bound by their building’s or association’s policies, even if the animal assists with a physical, mental, or emo- tional disability. Aft er all, a responsible dog owner is the greatest companion for man’s best friend. n Darcey Gerstein is Associate Editor and a Staff Writer for CooperatorNews. Learning From Disaster As if the multifamily housing industry wasn’t seeing enough tumult in 2021, the sud- den, deadly collapse of a South Florida condo building in June focused attention on the dire consequences of climate change, deferred structural maintenance, and questionable construction oversight. Th e Surfside tragedy that resulted in nearly 100 deaths and scores of lost homes and upended lives might just be the wake-up the industry needed to prevent similar disasters. Th roughout the country, and particu- larly in urban centers where high-rise living is both appealing and practical, legislators have turned their attention to the oversight and inspection aspects of building integrity. Mayors of cities like Jersey City—which has the largest number of high-rises in the Gar- den State—quickly enacted laws to intensify inspection and repair requirements for build- ings of a certain height. Brokers throughout the country are also seeing shift s in the concerns and attention to due diligence of prospective purchasers in the wake of Surfside. More are giving close scruti- ny to buildings’ maintenance history, reserve funds, and capital planning strategies. Alicia Cervera, managing partner of Cervera Real THE YEAR (P)REVIEW continued from page 10 continued on page 18