Is it legal per the Business Corporation law to use corporate websites, emails solicit proxies, legal advice from the corporate attorney at the cooperators expense for personal use when running for the Board of Directors?
Is also legal to remove an officer of the Board before the certified results are posted before the board is seated and new officers are elected?
My brother is the executor of his brother-in-law's estate in Pennsylvania and there is about $200,000 in the attorney's escrow account. The estate is almost wound up (estate taxes have been paid) but the attorney was just admitted to the hospital with COVID. He is in bad shape and is on a ventilator. The question is: is the money safe and if the guy dies, who takes care of the estate and the escrow money and any idea how long that would take?
Thank you very much for any assistance.
If my co-op received an “N” (exempt) energy efficiency grade, do they still have to post it?
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It is my understanding that a shareholder in a coop building can only collect STAR abatement funds for an apartment s/he actually LIVES IN. If an apartment is an investment, but said shareholder lives elsewhere, s/he cannot legally collect for the unit in which s/he does not live (never lived).
Do I understand this correctly? Can someone knowledgeable about this chime in please?
Also, is there any way—without the Management or the Board’s assistance—that someone can find out whether or not an investor is inappropriately receiving STAR rebates in this fashion? (I've already checked with a friend who worked previously at the DOF, and she is no longer a source of info for me.)
Thank you so much.
My Co-Op received a D energy rating because there was a conflict between the D.O.F. and the D.O.B with the tax code.
Can this error have an adverse affected on the Co-Op's abatement or any of the Star benefits?
Who is the responsible agency/party to correct this error?
If the fault is on the part of either agency will our Co-Op have to wait 1 year for an updated rating?
Hi, could someone share easy-to-read information on the basics of fire safety for small walk-up buildings? We can't afford a full-service management company, so the one we have doesn't provide much oversight. Through an informal conversation with someone familiar with fire safety, I've learned that we are not in compliance with regulations - for example, not every apartment has an address posted on its door, and we have mats in the hallway at each apartment's door (the person I spoke with said these are "tripping hazards" and should not be there). We also need to post routes for safe exit. Is there a straightforward, easy to read summary of fire safety requirements for small walk-up buildings? We don't have elevators so our needs are different from buildings that do. I've googled, but the documents I've found are quite dense and full of legalese. For example, I can't find one that says that every unit must have its address posted (e.g., 4C, 4D, 4E, etc.). Any suggestions welcome. Thanks.
> Join the conversation Comments (1)Can the Co Op administration waive my right of giving permission to other unit to park in my space, when I'm gone from the AZ state? I was told this because I'd been late for a few days with the HOA fees/ They said I don't have the right, and that they may force me to sell my unit.
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Considering next steps for a possible upgrade in a Westchester condo building
pro's and con's of buy vs lease
any recommended vendors
suggestions on going rate for unit owner usage
other tips or ideas.
Thank you
Robert
Hello,
After months of asking my coop's managing agent WHO made up our current Board, and her sending me the list which made no sense, she told me this: "The board has the right to appoint board members until the next annual meeting which has been postponed due to the pandemic."
1. Does anyone know if this is true (calling Steve247) or, where I can reference the law on this?
2. What about the fact that they did so without notifying any shareholders?
3. What about oversight?
So now, the Board is a too-tight group of buddies including two who previously served and were subsequently rejected.
• One had verbally threatened another shareholder in front of everyone (including one of the MAs) at a previous meeting. Her response to being questioned—on not doing her job as sec'y properly (e.g. never taking minutes, etc.)—was met with her saying: "I have friends. I can mess you up." The following year, the same woman was nominated by her friend but NO ONE seconded her, so she was not elected. Now, suddenly she's on the board again.
• And the other had to leave due to being in the press for sexual harassment against multiple women at his own company. HE is an investor and has never lived in the building—been renting his apartment for more than 11 years. When he was president of the board, he was so arrogantly sure of himself that he insisted he could negotiate a new mortgage/refi. Well, he wasn't able to deliver on his promise, so, in a financially compromised coop, we lost an additional $7,000 b/c that app. fee was non-refundable. Now, suddenly, he's on the board again.
To add to the issue is the following:
• At the last Shareholders' meeting, we couldn't elect a new board b/c we couldn't raise a quorum.
Please help. Informed answers, please. Many thanks!
Our 5 building complex with 200 units is searching for a company that specializes in the installation and management of outdoor, electric car charging stations. We are looking for an arrangement similar to our laundry business with Hercules, where the company manages the equipment and pays the complex a percentage of the revenue collected.
Any and all suggestions appreciated.
thanks, annie
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Hi - I am not an attorney, but my late wife was a Trust & Estates attorney in NYS. I will try to answer your questions generically.
(1) If the $200k was in the attorney's escrow account it is most likely safe. There are very strict rules surrounding escrow accounts because the funds do not belong to the attorney and cannot be used to benefit the attorney in any way.
(2) Was the attorney a sole practitioner or a member of a law firm? If a sole practitioner I recommend you contact the Pennsylvania Bar Association for advice. They are probably aware of the attorney's condition and can answer your questions. Plus, they can probably provide you with a list of potential substitute attorneys.
If the attorney was a member of a law firm with other attorneys, the law firm will have all the documents and should assign all transition and escrow matters to another attorney.
(3) How long it will take depends on many factors so there is no best answer
Ultimately you can contact the PA Probate Court (called, I found out, the "Orphan's Court") and ask for guidance. They will probably direct you to the State Bar Association.
Good luck!
--- Steve
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