Although New Jersey housing cooperatives may be rare compared to the numbers of co-ops in New York City, suburban co-ops face the same types of issues as their big-city neighbors. One of the primary concerns of nearly all co-ops is the b…
Instances of out-and-out fraud are rare in the world of condos and homeowners associations, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't look out for them and know how to spot signs of trouble. Consider this—most board members are volunteers…
Money matters are important to any homeowner, putting much pressure on those board members in charge of creating a budget—no easy task. Within a budget, condo boards and associations must try to predict expenses for the upcoming year, in…
Almost everyone, whether they're financially successful or not, knows what it's like to feel the pinch of financial insecurity at one time or another—those moments when an unexpected expense looms on the horizon like a storm, or the real…
Cons and hustles are as old as civilization itself. For as long as there have been goods and currency to collect and divide, there have been unscrupulous individuals who are ready to relieve the unwary consumer of their holdings. Banking to…
For the first time since Fiscal Year (FY) 2001, New Jersey's state budget does not rely on tax or fee increases. Gov. Jon S. Corzine signed a $33.47 billion state budget for FY 2008 that is committed to no new taxes, substantial tax reli…
Monthly charges, including common charges, emergency repairs, special assessments, maintenance fees, dues and so forth, are a big part of owning a condominium in New Jersey. When an owner is late, or misses monthly payments entirely…
While some people may only know the town of Mahwah because of a glancing mention in the Bruce Springsteen song "Johnny 99," the city has had a long and distinguished history. Some know it for its parklands, some for the historic For…
Having a well-lit, well-maintained laundry room in one's building is a definite plus. Residents don't have to traipse out to the overcrowded Laundromat in the dead of winter or in the pouring rain to spend hours waiting for machines when…
Q I’m a board member of my condo. We have one member of the board who is a real estate broker. He brought an issue to our attention. Our condo is an owner of a very small piece of land that is adjacent to another building near ours. The…
Q Certain owners in our building keep some personal belongings (i.e. bikes, baby strollers, skates) in the hallways next to their apartments. Sometimes we have to squeeze by their hallway clutter to get to our own units. Is there any l…
Q I have lived in a condo for the past three years. I am planning on having my boyfriend move in with me in a few months. Are there any rules or regulations that will prevent that from happening within my condo? —Sublettor i…
Q Can an owner of a condominium/villa erect a fence 12 feet out onto the common area when the bylaws state only five feet is the responsibility of the owner? Can board members sign an agreement going against the bylaws? Also, the presi…