For many, the topic of insurance can be a bit overwhelming. Even the terms we use as insurance purchasers differ substantially from the terms industry professionals use when discussing and settling claims—which can leave laymen feeling like…
Q. We live in a co-op where the unit we purchased comes with a parking spot. Our parking garage has valet parking and we leave our keys with the attendants. We found that our rearview mirror had scratches on the paint and there was residu…
With costs rising—and accidents and property damage a perpetual worry for boards and owners alike—it’s vital that both you and your co-op or condo association be properly insured against liability and loss. Boards and residents also need to…
As both a writer about and resident of high-rise residential buildings, I followed the June 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium with a hawk’s eye. I read about the people who perished and the loved ones left to carry on;…
When the topic of exterior maintenance comes up, it’s important to keep in mind that when it comes to multifamily properties, even projects that focus on a building’s ‘envelope’ are by no means limited to just the façade or roof. Projects l…
Car owners know that in order to operate their vehicle legally, they must have it professionally inspected every year. An older car might need some relatively minor repairs or adjustments to bring it into compliance with state emissions req…
This summer and early fall, several massive storms struck the United States in rapid succession. Hurricane Ida cut a huge swath of damage from the Louisiana coast to New England. Record flooding, tornadoes, and sustained high winds damaged …
The recent flash flooding resulting from Hurricane Ida and other torrential summer storms around the nation has come as something of a wake-up call for homeowners and local governments alike. The real-world effects of climate change are upo…
Q. The floor of our co-op garage is sinking, and needs to be repaired. Not only are sewage pipes below, but so are gas lines. No contractor wants to come here to fix the floor as they are afraid of an explosion. What legal entity do I con…
The tragic partial collapse and subsequent demolition of the Champlain Towers South Condominium in Surfside, Florida this past June revealed some gaping holes in the structures, governance, and oversight of the country’s multifamily buildin…