For many people, one of the most attractive aspects of co-op or condo living is the fact that everything, from the windows to the elevators to the numbers on the apartment doors, looks great. Clean, bright, elegant and well-maintained. For …
Trees may seem like the ultimate in low-maintenance landscaping; they’re naturally occurring, live for decades (sometimes centuries), don’t really require much in the way of watering, and sometimes don’t even need pruning. But while all th…
Building maintenance follows a schedule based on the seasons, each of which presents a unique set of challenges to a co-op or condo. At certain times of the year, it just makes sense to do certain regular maintenance projects: weatherizing,…
Q. I serve on the five-member board of a wonderful 10-year-old condominium community of single-level duplexes and triplexes. Our board members, one of whom served on a previous “do-nothing” board, generally get along well. However, anothe…
Q. A few years ago, the board decided that we needed additional parking on our six-building property. Without consulting the owners of the building most immediately affected, they had a contractor tear up the front lawn of that building a…
The most basic structure of our right to own and enjoy our homes emanates from two sources: legislation, and case law. At times case law is the direct reflection of statutes passed by federal, state, and local levels of our government; at o…
No matter what time of year, the addition of natural light into a living space can do more to boost the spirits of its occupants than just about anything else. For a dark kitchen, a gloomy study or a bedroom that lacks that special somethin…
Despite rain being essential to life on Earth, the consensus is that it’s mostly a bummer. And the only thing worse than rain outdoors is when it gets indoors. In a multifamily condo or co-op property especially, where one leak can affect t…
Constructed as they are out of materials like brick, concrete, or even stone, the exterior walls of an apartment building or row of townhomes might seem nearly indestructible. But despite their hardiness, walls are not immune to assaults fr…
Q. Our new condominium association contains, as part of its common elements, an atrium and courtyard. What do I need to know about instituting rules and regulations for these common areas in light of the fact that the board would like to …