2018 December
Focus on... Safety & Security

Security Maintaining Security in Your Association
2018 December Maintaining Security in Your Association

Whether it be a detached single-family house, or one unit among hundreds in a high-rise condominium, a home should be a safe haven: a place where you can seek refuge from the elements and all the other risks and cautions of the world. Given…

Read More
Security Harassment Issues
2018 December Harassment Issues

People feel ‘harassed’ all the time – by crowded trains, loud noises, and even the weather. Co-op and condo residents often feel that their board, or even a neighbor, is ‘harassing’ them. But what qualifies as harassment in the legal sense?…

Read More
Security Preparing Your Community for Emergencies
2018 December Preparing Your Community for Emergencies

Planning for a rainy day is pretty easy. Have an extra umbrella handy or a waterproof coat, and you’re probably fine. Planning for the rainiest day ever, on the other hand, is significantly more daunting. Especially if during that day there…

Read More
Security Hygiene in Shared Amenities
2018 December Hygiene in Shared Amenities

One of the biggest perks of modern multifamily living is the all-inclusive, amenity-rich building or HOA. Depending on your own building’s offerings, you can go to the gym, swim, have a spa treatment, entertain your kids in the community pl…

Read More
Management Hiring a New Super
2018 December Hiring a New Super

When everyday problems arise in a multifamily building or community association, residents frequently turn to their friendly neighborhood jack-of-all-trades: the superintendent (depending on where you live, you might call him or her your bu…

Read More
Q&A Q&A: Out-of-Control Board
2018 December Q&A: Out-of-Control Board

Q. My HOA board has not had an election in 10 years. They keep reappointing themselves and appointing their friends to the board when there is a vacancy. Is this legal? How can I stop this abuse of power by my HOA?                       …

Read More
Q&A Q&A: Noisy Neighbor
2018 December Q&A: Noisy Neighbor

Q.   I have written several complaint letters to the condo board and the managing agent regarding a noisy neighbor. They did send a letter to the owner about a year ago, but the problem persists. Although I continue to write letters, noth…

Read More
Q&A Q&A: Who Owns the Floor?
2018 December Q&A: Who Owns the Floor?

Q.  I’ve lived in an upper-floor condo for 10 years; the building is 14 years old. The board is now making a rule that we can only have hard flooring in the kitchen, the bathrooms, and the laundry room. I cannot find in the master deed or …

Read More