In New York City, it is not uncommon for boards and managing agents to levy a “flip tax,” or a transfer fee paid to the co-op or condo association by owners who sell their units. “Flip taxes are extremely beneficial as an ongoing fun…
Most condo/HOA boards are made up of ordinary, well-meaning folks who volunteer for the relatively thankless job of running their association. They donate their time, expertise, and effort to make their community as functional, solvent, an…
One of the biggest problems that can cause the downfall of any co-op or condo is a lack of funds, or more specifically, not enough money to keep operations running smoothly and to make the necessary repairs to keep everything up to par. …
Having apathetic leadership is a problem in some buildings, though a board that oversteps the boundaries of its power or invades the privacy of residents also can be a headache. An informed board, however, should be less apt to go beyond i…
While keeping the records of the association is not the most fascinating part of serving on a board, it is in some ways the most important. In fact, the flow of paperwork is the lifeblood of the community. The Articles of Incorporati…
While some condos and co-ops are lucky enough to have lawyers serve as members of their board, the majority of boards don’t have an in-house legal expert. They often reach out to their attorney to answer questions, vet documents and sen…
When someone moves into a community, they often look for the friendliness and camaraderie that living in an association brings. But with many personalities often butting heads on everyday living situations, it can often get tense and t…
One of the trickier problems to deal with when you live in a co-op or condo is dealing with board members who sometimes let the power go to their heads. Even though they are entrusted with a great deal of responsibility in the smooth r…
Q Our association will be voting soon on giving our streets to our township. The township will repay us for snow removal. My question: is it generally a good thing to give your streets away? —Mulling Municipal Reimbursement …
Q “Our association will be voting soon on giving our streets to our township. The township will then repay us for snow removal. My question is: Is it generally a good thing to give your streets away?” —Concerned About Municipa…