When the Elevator Makes Local Stops

Passover is here, a time when the elevators in many New York co-ops and condos are programmed to stop at every floor – allowing observant Jews to obey the proscription against creating sparks and fires on the Sabbath and other holy days. The resident of a large co-op on the Lower East Side has a question for the Ask Real Estate column in the New York Times: Does a co-op or condo board have the power to get rid of these so-called Sabbath elevators?

“The decision of whether to phase out Sabbath elevators should not be made hastily,” advises Manhattan real estate attorney Slava Hazin, who points out that missteps by the board could result in a lawsuit for discrimination or violation of housing laws.

Boards that wish to get rid of Sabbath elevators should consult their governing documents. If the documents don’t mandate the service, the board could survey residents to see if they want to phase it out. If the majority says yes, some New York buildings could be seeing faster elevators and more crowded stairwells on Jewish holy days.