2002 Nov
2002 Nov Vol. 22, No. 11
Focus on...Interacting With Professionals
A New Lease on Life?
One of the main documents governing the majority of New York City's co-op buildings is the antithesis of the well-known Oldsmobile ad: it is your father's proprietary lease, and many of its parts are not exactly of-the-minute. Sponsors of most New York co-op buildings modeled their proprietary leases on a document that dates back to the 1970s, and although the detailed provisions of the lease vary from one co-op to another, on the whole, they are rather uniform - in some respects, according to many in the industry, uniformly in need of an update. Read More
Listen and Learn
Co-op boards make decisions for the good of all shareholders, not just one or two. Though board membership may be a selfless proposition, productivity results from a concerted effort to put duty first, with personal conflicts and interpersonal friction taking a backseat to business. According to Bud Johnson, a thirty-year shareholder resident and board president of Manhattan's Chesapeake Owners Corp. co-op, "To me, being on a co-op board is like running a corporation. All of us on the board are running a business. We're spending the money of the shareholders. We have to run it on a profitable basis." Read More
What in Blazes?
If there was a fire in your building, are you confident that you and your family would be adequately warned, protected and saved? If you're not absolutely certain, consider this: last year, there were 27,788 structural fires in New York City in which 125 people died. Although property owners are required to provide residents with smoke alarms, it is the tenant's responsibility to maintain them. There are no fire extinguisher requirements inside homes, and while newly constructed buildings are now legally required to incorporate a sprinkler system, older buildings are often not upgraded. Read More
The Accommodation Situation
Getting around in New York City can be difficult, even at the best of times; traffic, crowds, construction, and inclement weather can all conspire against even the most able-bodied city-dweller. The situation can be more troublesome still for elderly New Yorkers, and those of us living and working with disabilities. For someone using a wheelchair, every curb poses a challenge; for those navigating without the benefit of sight, the sidewalk can be an obstacle course. For anyone recuperating after surgery or serious injury, getting into and out of their own home can pose problems"¦particularly if their building isn't in step with two very important pieces of legislation: the Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Read More
Flight or Fancy
In the future, we might have molecular transporters or some other newfangled invention defying the laws of gravity, but for some 150 years, Elisha Graves Otis' method of transport - the elevator - has stood the test of time. Read More
Oh, Chute!
Winter is here, and it's time to shut the doors, seal the windows, and crank up the heat in a quest to stay toasty warm. Unfortunately, while you work hard to thwart the wintry weather on the outside, the air inside your building may be getting more stagnant and - at times - downright smelly. Now is the time to clean your building's ventilation systems and trash chutes to help keep the air smelling fresh and clean. Read More
The Goof-Proof Roof (and Balcony)
Outdoor spaces like balconies, terraces, and roof decks can add a lot of charm and value to your building, as well as providing pleasant spots for residents and their families and guests to take the air and relax. It's just about now - as residents are bringing in plants and re-caulking windows - that co-op owners and boards should consider fixing up balconies and rooftop living areas. While most work should wait until warmer months because of materials' reaction to cold, planning early could save money. Read More
Come Together
For most co-op and condo owners, the question of whether or not their building's doorman or concierge or security guard is unionized is a non-issue - one that only comes up when lengthy contract negotiations loom on the horizon. The subtle differences between union and non-union staff, though, can play a large role in how a building is run, affecting everyone who lives and works within its walls. Understanding how a union and its membership work can help your board and management maintain a smooth co-op or condo operation. Read More
Can You Manage?
When the term "service provider" is used in reference to real estate, usually people take it to mean laundry facility or storage-locker companies, or maybe the firm that runs your building's in-house fitness center. The term isn't often applied to managing agents"¦ although perhaps it should be. After all, your building's managing agent is the professional at the top of the pyramid when it comes to interacting directly with all those other professionals on behalf of your board and residents. Read More
Flying Solo
So you've noticed your building's faƧade has lost its luster, or maybe the entryway needs a complete renovation. Before you rush out and hire the first contractor listed in the Yellow Pages, there are many aspects of repair and construction board members self-managing their own buildings should consider. Among the questions you should ponder: Do we need to have an architect or an engineer? How do we find the most qualified contractor for the job? What will construction mean for residents? The steps below may be of help when you're a board on your own and you're faced with renovations, repairs, or new construction. Read More
Banishing the "B- Word"
Selling your apartment in New York is serious business. If you're thinking of selling your co-op or condo, the question of where to even list the property for sale alone may be enough to keep you up nights, to say nothing of putting a fair market price on it, arranging for prospective buyers to come in and view what you're offering, and finally closing the deal. There are countless little (and not-so-little) things to worry about, and if you're a normal, mortal human with a job, maybe a family, and a life to lead, you may find yourself in serious need of help - the kind of help that a professional real estate broker may be just able to provide. Read More
Smooth Ride
Admit it: We take elevators for granted. Like answering machines or calculators, elevators are one of those conveniences that are so woven into the texture of our lives that we're barely aware of them at all - that is, until they go on the fritz - at which point we're rudely reminded of just how dependant we are. Whether you've got a pre-war manual with open grillwork or a stainless steel box rigged with bleeding-edge technology, it's crucial that you keep things running smoothly. Simply put, nothing will make your building seem worn at the edges faster than a sickly lift. Read More
