There are few feelings worse than encountering an unexpected expense and finding the piggy bank empty. That is why reserve funds and reserve studies are such important elements in the financial well-being of co-ops, condos and homeowners as…
Q. Our property manager feels she should treat tenants and owners equally. As trustee, I feel that the property manager's duty is first to the owners who reside here, and then to rental tenants. For instance, if there’s a noise issue be…
While the exhortation to “smoke ‘em if you got ‘em” has never really gone out of style, one should take caution before lighting up just anywhere. Many places, from restaurants to airplanes to hospitals, expressly and strictly forbid anyone …
To paraphrase the Declaration of Independence, all men and women are created equal with certain inalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That may not be the case if you live in a condominium, co-op, or HOA…
It’s no secret that insurance is a necessity for any building or association. Nevertheless, the expense of coverage means that issues of liability and risk are all too often examined only after problems have occurred. Usually, insurance hol…
When it comes to legislation and legal issues that apply to condo associations, co-ops, and other multifamily housing models, the focus is often local—city ordinances, council meetings, and so forth – but there are judgments handed down and…
Q. I am a first-time condo owner. The way the trustees do business does not seem correct to me. First, they will not allow owners to communicate directly with them or the condo’s accountants. Every communication must be sent to the one em…
Jack and his wife Rachel live in Boston, happy in a two-bedroom, two-bath condo with a parking spot. Assessments are criminally low, the building is dog-friendly, and it is literally a half block from public transit. While they have a small…
Tastes and styles change with the decades—and sometimes with just the seasons—and what is considered fashionable now may seem hopelessly dated in just a few years. (Just look at bell bottoms.) That said, innovations and re-imaginings in res…
When a few million people take up residence in a small geographic area, it should be no surprise that the most valuable commodity in any major city is real estate. When new spaces become available for building, few hurdles are too high to j…