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Forced to Replace Fuse Box with Circuit BoardsMay 19, 2023

My Co-Op building management is forcing shareholders to replace their fuseboxes (which was there when I moved in eight years ago) with circuit breakers at the shareholder's expense. If they are requiring it, shouldn't the be responsible for the cost?

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Forced to Replace Fuse Box with Circuit Boards - Steven424 May 20, 2023

Quick question. Where do you think the co-op's management would get the funds to replace fuse boxes with circuit breakers throughout the entire building?

Quick answer: Shareholder maintenance increase or assessment

It's much more financially fair to all shareholders that each unit owner be responsible for replacing their fusebox only. Over the years individual shareholders may have added additional electrical capacity to their fusebox or made other changes resulting in a more complex replacement and higher individual replacement cost.

If you read your proprietary lease, there should be a section that states you purchased your unit "as is" and become responsible for all defects extending back to when the Offering Plan was approved. I think it's paragraph 18 in most standard PL's

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Fuse Boxes - Gouverneur Gardens May 22, 2023

Our Coop did the same it's an upgrade from the old glass fuses to breakers. Cooperators should not be significantly upgraded without Board and Management approvals to increase electrical capacities. This is to ensure code compliance and safety measures. It would be on your proprietary lease, or house rules

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Panels - Mark Levine, RAM (mblevine@ebmg.com) May 23, 2023

Hi, your Proprietary Lease (PL) should have a section called Repairs by Lessee which spells out the responsibility of the Shareholder and the corporation with regards to repairs.

Traditionally, all electric wiring and service, once it enters into your unit is the Shareholder responsibility. We do this replacement of Federal Pacific / STABLOK breakers that are a fire hazard and the shareholder is always responsible for the payment, as per the PL.

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