Like all property owners in New York City, cooperative and condominium boards and their managing agents are sometimes presented with a problem which, while not unique, is perhaps more pressing here than elsewhere: with land so develope…
On April 22, 2010 the federal Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) new “Renovation, Repair, & Painting Rule” for lead based paint will take effect. The new rule requires owners to follow lead-safe work practices when disturbing a pa…
Being on a committee is not always an easy task. In fact, sometimes it can be downright frustrating. A three-month commitment can stretch into six months; meetings can go on forever; committee members may drift off topic; and precious,…
For the residents of a co-op or condo building, the building's lobby and common areas function much as a front porch or entry hall might in a single-family home; they're a spot to meet guests, get mail and packages, or to stop and chat …
Newsflash: many New York and New Jersey interior designers and decorators are busy with projects and clients; remodeling jobs are moving forward and boards and homeowners are spending money again. This might sound crazy, considering th…
Architecture that liberates the space, light and air” … “Natural beauty in Fort Greene” … “Sophisticated style, fabulous kitchens, fabulous bathrooms” … “The convergence of fine living and fine lifestyle.” These phrases are all …
For many of us, there comes a point when our buildings become so familiar we hardly even notice them anymore. We rarely look up to admire the cornices or contemplate the brickwork around a doorway. The tile floor in the entry hall goes…
How many times have you seen a property that’s a mess and visually unappealing with so much furniture and furnishings that it is impossible to see anything? There are cracks that need spackling, walls that need cleaning, and floors that…
Few things annoy an apartment homeowner more than persistent low water pressure, be it at the shower, the kitchen sink or the toilet. So common the problem, one wonders what New Yorker hasn’t suffered from it and what property manager h…
Despite well-intended laws and protocols enacted in respective states, co-op and condo homeowners, organizations and associations are often faced with complicated, sometimes confusing issues related to building codes, zoning ordinances…