Mom was right. Her admonition to “Turn out the lights when you leave the room!” is as valid today as it was a generation ago. And yet many co-op and condo buildings, while energy-conscious in so many ways, seem to feel it’s better to jus…
Lighting in the U.S. alone accounts for approximately 22 percent of all electricity used, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. It is no wonder that in the current economic and environmentally-sensitive climate a lot of effort is…
Saving money is always a top concern of any association board, but with tough economic times and high fuel prices, saving on energy costs can be a challenge that requires some tough choices. Since 1999, New Jersey businesses a…
Board members and association managers have a lot on their plates—maintenance issues, resident complaints, construction projects, and the hundred little tasks that make up the administration and upkeep of a multifamily residential build…
Q The board was advised by one of the owners that we must mail all the minutes of each directors' meeting to all the owners. Is this correct? —Law-Abiding Citizen A “The bylaws of the condominium associat…
Q We have a security system at our clubhouse consisting of cameras and recording equipment. Recently we had some expensive television equipment stolen. Management informed us that the security system was not running/recording. The eq…
Q Our co-op has a question about our various insurance policies. Our insurance agent has recommended to the board that we keep our D&O coverage separate from our general liability coverage. I understand that some commercial general l…
Q Can a condo board legally prohibit any political activity by its residents? Most condo documents say that “the association shall not engage in any political activity.” The board usually interprets it to mean that there shall be no p…
Most people wouldn't buy a home without an attorney, or start a business without an accountant. In the same way those professionals assist with complex legal and financial processes, a civil engineer trained in the specific field of de…
Sometimes, just getting two people to agree on what to have for dinner or what movie to see on a Saturday night can seem like an overwhelming task. Now imagine trying to get five, seven or nine people to make million-dollar decisions t…