Hi,
I am currently receiving Enhanced Star and Senior Citizens exemptions. I filed my paper work in November 2019 and again because the D.O.F. did not receive the copy. I also sent all the information on line but was told to send the original copies.
The problem was that when I purchased the co-op it was in my name. Then I got married. It is not mandatory to put my husband’s name on the certificate of occupancy.
All of my other legal documents are in my married name including my taxes. My husband has since passed away, prior to his passing, I was receiving the Enhanced Star and co-op Abatement, only after his passing did I apply for the Senior Citizens exemptions.
I sent all required paper work including original death certificate and marriage license and letter explaining why the co-op name and name on my tax forms were different. I received an acceptance letter that I was entitled to these benefits and requested a break down.
Everything was going fine until today. The co-op manager left a note in my mail box that I will lose my benefits unless I call the number provided because they never received the paper work.
I called and reviewed all the information with the representative but she was not able to email me conformation however she did provide me with a registration number.
We have multiple lots and block# that are listed on this letter and I think the manager is passing the buck to all recipients of these exemptions rather than do the research himself. Now he says he cannot do anything without a letter from the D.O.F.
Is this the responsibility of the shareholder or the management company? I thought these adjustments could now be handled on line by the Management company
Thank You
Hello,
My building is intending to modernize our two elevators. We would like to use a consulting firm to help us manage the product. Sierra Consulting looks promising. I am wondering if any other buildings have experience with other independent consulting firms that they would recommend?
Thank you
Like many co-ops, we are holding our annual meeting via Zoom this year. A question for those who are doing the same thing: how do you plan to certify attendance to prove you have a quorum? Usually, we have a physical sign-in sheet, plus proxies for those who can't attend. Proxies are still provided, of course, but what sort of virtual sign-in sheet is recommended for people who are attending the meeting live? Is visual recognition of someone you know sufficient? ("Oh, I see that Bob has joined the meeting.")
I'm seeking a knowledgeable, professional answer, please:
What kind of energy source is required for the emergency hallway lights in the event that the electricity in the entire building shuts off? (approx. 50 apartments)
• Auxiliary generator of some kind?
• Batteries?
Also, whose responsibility is it to ensure that those lights are up-to-date, up-to-code, fully functional, etc.?
• the super?
• the building management?
• the FDNY?
• HPD?
Thanks so much!
What recourse does a coop board have against residents (shareholders and sub-tenants) who refuse to comply with state regulations concerning masks and social distancing? Is this a violation of law that permits the Board to impose fines? Is there any thing the Board can do short of calling the police or seeking to terminate the lease?
> Join the conversation Comments (1)hello. i live at 32-05 81st street in east elmhurst. this building is registered to the city as a coop and my lease shows that i am subletting. the building apparently went thru a coop conversion in the late 80s and as far as i have seen. everyone is a renter from xyz management corporation. the building doesnt have a coop board and i was wondering if this is legal. there are many issues in the building and individual apartments that the landlord doesnt address. are there any rules or laws that are broken by this building not operating as a coop but registered as one with the buildings dept?
> Join the conversation Comments (2)
I own a co op apartment in the county of Westchester, NY, which I am currently subletting to a young couple. Apparently, the couple vape Marijuana and some neighbors have complained. I resided in that apartment for over 15 years and people have always smoked and now suddenly this is problem. I am totally against vaping but that is irrelevant. I have discussed this situation with my tenant since the first complain received from management and he apologized, owing up to it. A few month later, there was a second complain, and he again apologized. There was a third time, which he denied. My board is now charging me $800.00, a fee for odor issue. Can my board legally charge this fee?
I am feeling discriminated and targeted. A few weeks ago I went to the building to visit a friend whose apartment is located at the rear side of the building, which has its own entrance .To my surprise the smell of Marijuana was present. When I spoke to the board about this, they stated that no one has complained therefore they don't have any report on file. In other words, there is nothing they can do. Please advice!
I was recently approached by a digital TV provider offering my shareholders a spectacular package discount, provided all my apartments signed up for their service.
A quick perusal, and I learned that if less than 75% of my apartments accepted the offer, my Co-op would have to make up the difference. Basically, all maintenance-paying shareholders who did not sign up for the new package would be subsidizing the remaining few who did.
We'd been approached in the past with similar offers, and it's amazing how they've become more bloated, like a sponge in water. The package in place when I became treasurer 12 years ago was for two years. The replacement package I rejected was for three years. The offer that was given to me this week was for five years.
Five years of being on the hook to an increasingly obsolete service delivery technology. They must be reading the same articles I do:
https://www.fastcompany.com/90466112/look-how-far-cable-tv-has-fallen
My building is wired for both cable and fiber optics, so we have the luxury of competition. If your building bundles DTV services into maintenance and all shareholders are required to pay for them regardless, then the discount packages may make sense. But if services are optional, and shareholders can opt-out, be very very careful of what you commit to.
Caveat Emptor!!
We are tenants in a condo for over a year now. When we signed the lease, our landlord told us the board restricted the use of the laundry room to the tenants. We were kind of okay with it. Then we moved in and the same management gave us access to the laundry-room as we noticed other tenants were using it.
Allow us to emphasize that we have never has any complaints of any sort since living in this building (no noise, littering, disturbance etc.).
Recently, the "management/ Board’s president “to be precise has decided to stop us from using the laundry-room over an honest mistake of overloading the machine once, then threated our landlord by saying if we were to continue, they would change the lock and charge him(the landlord) hundreds of dollars. Having a great relationship with my landlord we have stopped but now we are sending a complaint to the Attorney General for the following reasons:
First off, the Board’s president/ Management is imposing rules made by his own will based on his individual sentiments (not proven to be voted as condo rules suggest it).
Second, the rules are not applied to ALL TENANTS
Third, he has made prejudice comments referring to my look calling me “Black looking nanny” (Because of my hairstyle to say the least) and many more insulting and unacceptable comments directed to another tenant, which are very offensive and outrageous.
Forth, because of the Pandemic, as per STAY AT HOME rules imposed, why should we abide by unfair rules.
We believe in treating tenants equally and fairLY. One person may not abuse its power simply because he can. His actions should be corrected immediately.
Consider this complaint a discriminatory complaint and abuse of power above all.
Thank you in advance for your attention in revolving this issue.
Cordially,
Alima and Jerome Downey
I fear that if I can't sell it during this pandemic, then i will be delinquent in paying my maintenance because of financial hardship. I have a bad feeling that the Management is trying to regain possession of the unit. When the pandemic begins to taper, I will be able to market it....but by then I won't be able to pay the maintenance bill of the coop which is $1,029.00 a month. Why won't they put a temporary halt on this bylaw or rule. I don't know how I will weather this storm. My husband is in his 60's and going to work, worrying about getting the virus. I'm at home worried about my husband and afraid to go out.......I feel like I am being cornered by the Coop Board and Management company and now I have this extra stress.
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Hi -
I'm sorry for the aggravation you're going through with the exemptions. Between lost documents, name inconsistencies, and dealing with the DoF in general, it can get very annoying.
To answer your question about responsibility, in my opinion (and I am not a lawyer) individuals who receive tax abatements are responsible to make sure they properly qualify. In the case of STAR, Senior Citizen, R/E tax, and other abatements, you receive the abatements from the DoF and not from the co-op. Your co-op acts as a sort of agent and pass-through for the DoF to get the funds to you.
In my building, the managing agent works closely with shareholders to resolve problems with abatements, but they are not required to. It's a service we ask our MA to perform.
I agree it sounds like your MA is giving you the runaround. My first suggestion would be to contact your board president or other board member and explain the situation to them. Ask for their help with making the MA more responsive.
You might also try contacting the owners of the other co-ops listed on the MA's letter. The more aggrieved shareholders who are involved, the more leverage you all will have.
You need to try to stop the clock if you're up against any deadlines. Call the DoF (or see if there's anywhere online) you can enter your registration number to confirm any deadlines and ask for an extension.
Best of luck to you,
--- Seve
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