Category: Association Operations

As members of co-op corporations and condominium associations, we often hear the term fiduciary duty bandied about.  But what does it really mean to be a fiduciary? Stated simply, the term ‘fiduciary’ means trust. When a person managing the…

A community’s governing documents, including its bylaws and house rules, are like a country’s constitution and laws. They are—or at least they should be—‘living’ documents that, like our state and national laws and constitution, occasionall…

At the heart of volunteerism is the notion of doing something for the common good. For many, choosing to live in a co-op or condo community is also choosing to volunteer for board service, helping to guide and govern the community they call…

In response to the 2021 Surfside Condominium tragedy in Florida, many states and municipalities have adopted, are considering adopting, or are updating existing rules governing reserves, reserve studies and maintenance schedules for multifa…

When a condo or co-op resident runs for a seat on their board, the decision to do so generally comes from a desire to ‘step up’ and participate in the governance of the place they call home, and the building or association community as a wh…

In a multifamily building, residents who compulsively collect and hoard items - whether it be old newspapers and magazines, canned goods, pets, or even garbage - pose a threat to the safety and health of their neighbors, as well as a liabil…

As the climate crisis accelerates, numerous, diverse technologies are being designed to battle the effects of heavily polluting, carbon-based energy sources like oil and gas. Many of these innovations are coming out of the heating, ventilat…

On the long list of building-related issues that multifamily boards and residents have to be concerned about, dryer lint is not likely uppermost. A leaky roof? Definitely. A boiler on the fritz in mid-January? Absolutely. But dryer lint, no…

‘John’ (not his real name, in consideration of his and his neighbors’ privacy) has lived in co-op buildings for over 40 years, and in his particular co-op - a well-tended, 100% sold, mid-size building in Manhattan - for over two decades. Th…

In response to the 2021 Surfside Condominium tragedy in Florida, many states and municipalities have adopted, are considering adopting, or updating existing rules governing reserves, reserve studies and maintenance schedules for multifamily…