If a coop Board member in New York replaces his individual ownership with a revocable trust can he still continue serving on the co-op Board, especially in the postion of a Treasurer or President?
We are the Board of a townhouse condo community. We have a couple of homeowner cases pending in small claims court which have been postponed a few times because our managing agent was not able to attend. We, of course, get charged by our attorney whenever there is a postponement. Our attorney has told us that they will not move forward in small claims without the managing agent or a board member present. Our board members, myself included, choose not to attend and have requested our attorney represent us, with or without the managing agent or a board member. He has refused. Any opinion on our attorney's demand, please. Thanks.
Our building likes to offset the abatement with an assessment. However there is a bylaw that they cannot impose any assessments without a vote of all shareholders. They have put this assessment on our bill without the required vote claiming it is a "tax" assessment and not a regular capitol assessment. This means over $1000 for me - If I do not pay the assessment until it is voted on, can they charge me a late fee? legally? I will pay the rest of the maintainence minus the assessment.
Just an informal survey. Has any Board Talk poster called an advertiser in Habitat magazine to interview them or for further information? What was your experience?
Appreciate your feedback. Thanks.
Hello:
I know that the Board of Directors in cooperatives has two basic legal obligations. The Board must follow the co-op's internal rules (as set forth in the by-laws, and the proprietary lease), and house rules. A shareholder in our building contacted the building's attorney because the shareholder had an unresolved issue of disrepair flooring in the apartment above, noise, etc. The attorney wrote back to the shareholder stating that after contacting the board it appears that all what can be done was done by the board and that if the shareholder persists in complaining the shareholder may be liable for fees associated with the matter.
Again, the shareholder wrote back to the building's attorney since the shareholder felt that misinformation was given to the attorney by the board. There was no response, but on the next month's maintenance stub the shareholder was billed $900.00 for legal fees plus $25.00 late fees in subsequent months because the shareholder refuses to pay the legal fees. The shareholder argues that there was never any agreement for fee-for-service or implied compensation with the attorney and therefore feels the legal fee of $900.00 to be illegal.
The governing documents of the corporation do not state that a shareholder is responsible for the legal fees incurred as a result of contacting by letter the corporation's attorney. The shareholder had the local assemblyman review the matter, and he too, came to the same conclusion that the board has no legal right to pass on legal fees that was charged to the board by the co-op's attorney. Too, if the Board objects to paying the legal fee then it should take up the matter with the attorney because the attorney engaged in the matter with or without approval from the Board, so it appears. The board argued that it is policy to pass on fees incurred as a result of a shareholder's actions. The shareholder argues that policy does not supersede the proprietary lease or the by-laws.
Is there anyone out there who has more information at hand and can comment on this matter of whether or not the shareholder is responsible for the legal fees and late fees?
Thanks,
George Urbano
I have a rent stabilized tenant who I suspect does not live full time, or even the
majority of the time in her NY apartment. I want to bring suit and have her evicted if I can prove her non primary residency.
Can anyone recommend a good investigator for this type of work?
Is anyone aware of a court case where the owners or shareholders sued the condo/co-op Board and the Board President ended up selling his or her property in the building to pay for damages?
I am conducting searches for actual court cases where Board President is being held personally liable for his or her decisions or actions for a condo or co-op.
Thank you in advance for your help or suggestions.
an elevatorman has made repeated passes at a resident. he is union. what do we do? she feels too uncomfortalbe to write a letter.
Hello:
I serve on a Board where two members feel it is their duty to police the building and direct the staff.
One of these members thinks it is appropriate to discipline her neighbors on things like trash disposal. She also has, on at least two occasions, publicly disciplined security officers on duty.
Both of these members routinely assign tasks to staff members.
I have been diligently advising the Board President as well as the Managing Agent about protocol in certain situations, e.g. the role of Management and the role of a Board Officer.
I maintain that the role of Board Officer does not include supervisory duties in day-to-day operations. At the end of the day, we are all neighbors, these delicate issues better left to Management to handle.
Any thoughts/experiences?
Thanks
Hello - I've been doing some preliminary investigation recently into the practicality of power/heat/hot water cogeneration with a fuel cell and, after seeing the article here on microturbines, thought I'd post to see if anyone else has looked into this and has any experiences they can share?
Based on my research so far, I see that natural gas fuel cells exist and can generate power into the 200-400 kW range plus 900k BTU for hot water. Between any applicable city/state/federal subsidies/tax breaks and selling any surplus power back to the grid (if Con Ed allows that), I'm hoping this will prove to be a feasible idea.
Thanks,
Henry
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Depends on the Board qualifications (if any) outlined in the By-Laws. Does a Board Member have to be a Shareholder, a resident, or are there any restrictions? Our co-op has no restrictions whatsoever; in others, a BM must be a resident. If the Board Member you ask about lives within the building, it would seem that he is still eligible for Board service.
If a BM in this co-op needs to be a Shareholder, the Board Member in question should consult an attorney.
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