Category: Q&A

 I’m a condo owner in New York City. I have written to the management company of  our condo regarding some issues I have been having, but the management company  has not taken any action to remedy the situation. I would like to make my  mai…

Who is responsible for chimney maintenance in a New York City co-op? (Not all the apartments have fireplaces.) Also, who is responsible for  repairing/replacing windows? My apartment is a loft with unique windows that are not easily repaire…

What is a conservation easement? What are the tax advantages to a conservation  easement? Can a condo or co-op vote to place a conservation easement?     —Curious in New York  “An easement is a transfer of usage rights. Simply…

We are an 11-unit condo. association. In May 2006 two board members decided to  remove our 19-year-old mature beautiful shrubs (azaleas & rhododendrons) from in front of our units. They promised to replace them by September 2006. It has not…

I manage a small Mitchell-Lama co-op. Our local grocery store, which has served  as an important resource for our senior residents who can’t go too far, is closing down. We were wondering what we would have to do to set  up a little store i…

Some shareholders of our cooperative wish to record board meetings as the  minutes do not always accurately reflect what was said during open sessions of  board meetings. One of 12 board members objected to the taping of a recent  session a…

Q I am living in a condo whereby I am enduring loud noise by two rude neighbors. I had to hire my own private lawyer. The condo board has their own lawyer and their lawyer responded to my lawyer. I recently received a bill from the cond…

Q How do we start a reserve fund? Where does the money come from? What can we or can’t we use the money for? Must we get approval from shareholders/owners in order to spend the reserve fund? —Building Board Member A “…

Q How many years can a person serve on a board? Is there a way to limit the number of years someone may serve? —Curious Board Member A “In the majority of residential cooperative and condominium buildings there…

Q In years past, unit owners were given copies of the minutes of the annual meeting. A new management company was engaged and this practice stopped. Now, when I have requested the minutes of the annual meeting, I have been told that …