1996 Feb
1996 Feb Vol. 16, No. 1
Focus on...Manager Board Relations
A Sign of Good Design
Everyone agrees that a building's exterior and lobby make a lasting first impression. But have you ever noticed how many signs you pass between the curb and the apartment you are visiting? As we breeze through on our way upstairs, we barely notice these important pieces of print, yet they do make a lasting impression on us. Read More
Tenancy by the Entirety
Most co-op owners have never given much thought to the manner in which they took title of their apartments. But by overlooking this important aspect of such a significant purchase, some shareholders may have put themselves at considerable financial risk. The method by which a married couple takes title to their real estate holdings can have major reper-cussions in the event of the death, bankruptcy or default of a spouse, or in the case of a divorce. Read More
Making Ends Meet
This is the time of year when many boards are engaged in the budget and planning process. Unfortunately, this Read More
Maintenance Should Not Be Neglected
It's Friday night and you've just arrived home from a long week at work. Picking up your mail, you head upstairs in anticipation of a cold drink and a hot bath. But when you enter the bathroom, you find a quarter inch of water covering the floor! A weekend plumbing leak--a building manager's nightmare! Read More
Preserving Institutional Memory
One of the most common problems in co-op and condo management is the failure of building boards and staff to maintain accurate and accessible records of the past performance and activities within the building. Recording the minutes of board meetings and maintaining financial records, a list of on-going contracts, a history of individual apartment repairs and a log of parts and equipment replacement can go a long way in facilitating any future changes in building personnel or management. Read More
The Value of Newsletters
The terraces were crumbling and the board engaged an engineer to make a recommendation. When the engineer reported that the terraces needed several hundred thousand dollars worth of repairs, the board went through a bidding process with the help of their managing agent, and hired a contractor. Scaffolding went up, work commenced, and before long every shareholder was billed a special assessment to pay for the work. Read More
