NEW YORK CITY

Where there's work, there are accidents. And where there are accidents, there are lawsuits. In one case, a contractor had insurance to cover himself while working on buildings six stories and lower. The problem? The building he was working on was eight stories. Elsewhere, a contractor was doing façade work — a risky job that carries a high insurance premium — but told his insurer he was a low-risk and low-premium-paying carpenter. In yet another case, a contractor had insurance but the policy specifically excluded accidents that happened because of construction activity.

Recent news affecting co-op / condo buyers, sellers, boards and residents. This week, we're still waiting for the New York State legislature to keep its commitment to renew the tax abatement that tries to equalize co-op / condo property taxes with those of single-family homes and townhouses. Plus, experts advise you on preparing your co-op admission package, on upping your credit score and on not rushing into a mortgage. For condo and co-op boards we've expert advise on the best and worst types of commercial tenants you can have in your building. And for Coen heads, we've word on Ethan's apartment

Over the past year, several co-op / condo board clients have joined an emerging trend of the many associations that are considering preemptive measures that would require across-the-board no smoking in the building, even inside homeowners' apartments. A total smoking ban requires examination of the building's governing documents, a search for the authority to act, and involvement of the shareholders to determine the extent of the ban.

In this second of two installments, leading real-estate attorneys answer more condo and co-op board members have been asking about what's expected of them and of shareholders / unit-owners in the terrible aftermath of superstorm Sandy.

In the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, many condo and co-op board members have been facing unprecedented challenges, with little experience to guide them.  In the first of two installments today, three leading attorneys answer eight questions at the top of every affected board members' mind.

Politicians and others called today for FEMA grants to be made available to residential cooperatives, which the federal agency characterizes as a form of business and so ineligible for emergency housing help. Yet the statements specifically excluded condominium associations, and failed to make clear that co-op and condo residents already are eligible for grants.

An elevator modernization project generally takes six to eight weeks to complete. That means the elevator will be out of commission for the entire time – and that doesn't include the period when you are waiting for an inspection by the city. However, a building can shave two or three weeks off the timeline by requesting an expedited schedule. "If you can afford to pay the premium, do it. Even for buildings with multiple elevators, having to wait longer drives people crazy," says Bram Fierstein, president of Gramatan Management.

As New York City prepares to issue its annual property-tax bills this month, the State's promised extension of the expired co-op / condo tax abatement remains in limbo. And a report issued today by the New York City Independent Budget Office — based on current legislation in Albany intended to equalize tax burdens between co-op / condo owners and standard homeowners — shows tax inequality will continue even presuming legislation is passed.

The president of a roughly 160-unit Long Island co-op complex is incredulous. “There’s a website where you can buy a kit that ‘certifies’ your dog as a companion dog. It comes with an ID, looks very official, it has a little vest for the dog so it mirrors a service dog” like trained seeing-eye dogs. “So you call up, say I’d like to get my pet certified, fill out the form, send in the check. Do I need documentation? ‘No.’ So anyone can do it? ‘Yeah.’”

When it comes to refinancing a co-op's underlying mortgage, your building's overall debt burden is just one aspect of the financial profile that a loan officer looks at. There are other, perhaps more significant, factors. For example, a history of balanced budgets would show prudent fiscal planning, while frequent operating losses could signal poor financial discipline. Minimal shareholder arrears would indicate strong collection policies, but large and/or persistent delinquencies would raise serious concerns. What else?