Has anyone used a free and/or easy to use online voting program for a board election?
Thank you.

hello, I am writing this post hoping to get an answer, more than an answer a solution to a seriouos problem with my downstairs neighbor and his daily non stop marijuana smoking. I am living a daily nightmare, now to the point that I do not longer look forward to get home. What was once my sacred place of comfort, it now reeks of smoke that sticks to my sheets, blankets, sofa clothes. getting in my room it feels like I am walking into an ashtray, this is how my unit smells like nowadays. a big ashtray. I have lost the will to do laundry at this point since I change bedsheeets one day just to have the smell impregnated two days later. I come home late from work, but I am forced to take a walk outside so I can fall sleep in an stupor of tiredness. I am now dealing with breathing issues, sneezinng and constant coughing. it all started last year, one day the smell so strong shocking to me as he never did it prior to his first two years following to that day. It seems he spents his days at his unit more often than previous years. and he has a roomate now with whom he engages on weed smoking amost daily. when confronted he denied it. but the one time I build the courage to ask to speak to him, he invited me in and well... the smell was so ovewhelming. yet right in front of my face he denied it. his eyes red and he stting in the corner of his sectional sofa. all this time he had gaslit me and now I had the proof right there. I told him how can you breath here. he had opened the windows but this weed smell sticks to clothes sheets, etc. the smell lingered all over his place...
some days the smell is less potent , but comes friday and saturday and it is unbearable. I dont smoke at all in fact, I have a very sensitive sense of smell. I started getting sick, constant sneeezing, I now cough often even got my ENT doctor to explain in a letter how detrimentla second hand smoking specially marijuana smoking can cause to cronic rhintis and sinus. Second hand smoke as it is well known is extremely dangerous to all of us who dont smoke. I notified the board and the board distributed the regulations prohibiting smoking in common areas in the building, and how each unit must take precautions if they are smoking units to prevent to smell to emanate to other units. But as all coop units in Jackson Heights are in its majority old building that are not inmune from the smoke to travel upwards. I am desperate and the board has told me they will send this shareholder a letter which I dont know if it will do any good at all. He has already lied to me and pamphlet previously sent has not deter him at all. specially weekends when he has company. The super is trying to help but dont seem to be available. I am experiencing extreme discomfort on a daily basis, and the health risks that compromises my breathing. not one deservers to live like this, no onve deserves to feel unwelcome at his/her own place. please help!!

Can anyone recommend a company to perform this necessary testing of lead paint in common areas in NYC buildings, and how much did you pay? Thank you.

One of the owners in our condo has a poorly functioning alarm system. When the owner is away, which is often, it loudly beeps for several seconds about every minute. When we complain to the owner, their response is Sorry, they will turn it off when they return. Could we simply suggest that the owner turn off the alarm system BEFORE they leave, when they know they will be away for several days? It's not attached to the police because no one shows up when the alarm goes off. I don't see the point of the owner leaving it on when they're away; it's simply annoying everyone with no apparent utility to the owner.

I’m looking for some guidance on a situation I’m currently facing.

I live in a Mitchell-Lama Cooperative, and this is my first experience dealing with damage to my apartment caused by broken pipes within the walls. I have insurance and have gone through the claims process, but I have many questions because I’m not very familiar with how all of this works and need to educate myself more on the topic.

My insurance company has approved the claim and will provide funding for repairs within my apartment. However, they informed me that, according to my Association's Master Policy, the building is responsible for covering up to the first $10,000 in personal deductions due to damage. To be clear, I did not cause the issue—the drainage pipes in the building are old and burst, resulting in damage to the walls and floors of my apartment.

During the claims process, my insurance company requested a copy of the Master Policy claim. However, my management office did not file a claim with their insurance because the costs did not exceed $10,000. This brings me to my questions:

If damage is caused by pipes and the Master Association Policy includes personal liability coverage of up to $10,000, should the management office be filing a claim regardless of the amount? My insurance company asserts that my HOA should cover the first $10,000 per the policy. Who is in the right here?

According to Mitchell-Lama rules, am I entitled to obtain a copy of the Master Policy for our association? I was told I could not get a copy, but I would like to confirm whether that’s accurate.

While I understand that I am responsible for any repairs within my apartment, this particular damage originated from inside the walls. Since the Master Policy covers up to a $10,000 deductible for personal damage or liability, shouldn’t the management office be responsible for filing a claim to cover the remainder of my damages? Additionally, I performed a mold test, which came back positive—am I entitled to have the cleanup covered by the management office, or is that cost my responsibility even though I didn’t cause the damage? Should I consider seeking legal advice on this matter?

Lastly, as a learning opportunity, what are some important questions I should ask when shopping for insurance to ensure proper coverage? Since my current insurance only covers costs beyond $10,000 for pipe-related damage (as specified by the Master Policy), how would this apply to other types of damage that are not related to pipes? For example, if my dishwasher were to break and leak throughout my apartment, would that be where my deductible comes into play?

Thank you in advance for any advice or insights you can provide!

Hello,

I’ve been subletting my coop apartment, but have been informed that the rules are changing. Consequently, I had to give my tenant 60-days notice, and now she’s refusing to pay rent. Do I have any legal recourse?
Thank you.

Hello, I would like to know if anyone has had any experiences with Metro Management managing their co-op or condo, or know of their reputation? Thanks

While I work on my microphone issues that have plagued my last two podcasts, I invite you to listen to this informative conversation between myself and Alex Zafran of Logical Buildings where we tackle all things energy related as we get closer to May 1st and some drop-dead deadlines.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nyc-real-estate/id1316217394?i=1000690934493

hi,
I am a board member of a Brooklyn co-op. Our underlying loan is coming due early Q1 2026 and we need to start shoping around for the refi. Where can I find a list of banks that provide underlying loans to co-ops? It seems not all commerical banks operate in this space and I would love to find a list of all banks that do so we can efficiently reach out to the right institutions (instead of wasting our time reaching out to banks that do not do these loans). We'd like to bypass a broker, if possible, as they cost quite a bit.
Thanks in advance!

Water leaked into my apartment from the one upstairs due to a leaking radiator. During a visit, I noticed the upstairs apartment is in complete disrepair, cluttered with furniture, and seemingly abandoned for at least 10 years. Despite this, I was told that maintenance fees are being paid, complicating the board's ability to repossess it. However, isn't it a requirement for shareholders to maintain their apartments in decent and safe conditions? If they fail to do so, shouldn't the co-op be able to take back the apartment and sell it to someone else? The board has been uncommunicative, only stating that they are trying to resolve the situation, but 10+ years is a long time. I am considering contacting the Department of Buildings (DOB) to seek their opinion, as that apartment is a time-bomb with potential hazards such as undetected gas leaks, water leaks, electrical failures, and fires.