Send us a text

You might not expect it, but your alteration agreement might be setting your building up for years of headaches and potential lawsuits. In this episode, Ingrid Manevitz, a partner in the law firm Seyfath Shaw, reveals how paperwork oversights can turn routine apartment renovations into costly legal nightmares that drag on indefinitely.

She explains the three most dangerous pitfalls that blindside even experienced boards: a never-ending renovation that lasts years because of one missing date; unauthorized work that proceeds without proper permits while everyone looks the other way; and the maintenance disasters that can fall through the cracks when apartments change hands. You'll learn exactly why violations end up hitting your building instead of negligent owners, and how poor record-keeping can leave you defensively scrambling to prove who's responsible for what.

Most importantly, get practical strategies for bulletproofing your alteration process, from mandatory check-ins with reviewing architects to creating ironclad electronic filing systems that survive management company changes. Habitat's Carol Ott conducts the interview.

The business of running a building is demanding work that requires making endless decisions — some that can quickly lead your board into a quagmire of legal difficulties. Legal Talk interviews New York's leading co-op/condo attorneys to find solutions, and get some guidance, on these challenges. For more co-op and condo insights, sign up to receive Habitat's free newsletters or become a Habitat subscriber today!

Send us a text

If you’re struggling with smoking issues in your building, Helene Hartig, founder and principal at Hartig Law, offers boards practical guidance on establishing rules that will actually pass a shareholder vote, balancing the rights of smokers and non-smokers, and handling medical exceptions without inviting discrimination claims. She offers effective strategies for addressing violations without costly court battles. Whether you're dealing with tobacco odors seeping through vents or marijuana smoke wafting from terraces, this episode provides the toolkit you need to craft solutions that protect health concerns while respecting personal freedoms. Habitat’s Paula Chin conducts the interview.

The business of running a building is demanding work that requires making endless decisions — some that can quickly lead your board into a quagmire of legal difficulties. Legal Talk interviews New York's leading co-op/condo attorneys to find solutions, and get some guidance, on these challenges. For more co-op and condo insights, sign up to receive Habitat's free newsletters or become a Habitat subscriber today!

Send us a text

Do you have a roadmap for handling delinquent payments? Caryn Meyer, partner at Cohen, Warren, Meyer & Gitter, has a plan. In this episode, she tackles the entire collection journey, from establishing clear arrears policies to making tough foreclosure decisions. You'll gain strategic insights on setting monetary thresholds, properly communicating policies to residents, and when to escalate to legal action. Plus, learn exactly what factors to analyze and realistic timelines compared to bank foreclosures. With arrears management being crucial to community financial health, these time-tested strategies will help you maintain your building's solvency while navigating sensitive owner situations. Habitat's Carol Ott conducts the interview.

The business of running a building is demanding work that requires making endless decisions — some that can quickly lead your board into a quagmire of legal difficulties. Legal Talk interviews New York's leading co-op/condo attorneys to find solutions, and get some guidance, on these challenges. For more co-op and condo insights, sign up to receive Habitat's free newsletters or become a Habitat subscriber today!

Send us a text

Your board can sleep better at night knowing your decisions are protected by the business judgment rule — but it's not absolute. In this episode, Eric Goidel, a partner at Borah, Goldstein, Altschuler, Nahins & Goidel, reveals crucial limitations to that protection, including five key areas where boards mistakenly believe they're shielded but aren't. He explains real-world examples of when courts upheld the rule and when they didn't, including a case about balcony enclosures where the same judge ruled differently on nearly identical situations. And most importantly, understand when your D&O insurance will defend you versus when it won't pay out. Habitat's Paula Chin conducts the interview.

The business of running a building is demanding work that requires making endless decisions — some that can quickly lead your board into a quagmire of legal difficulties. Legal Talk interviews New York's leading co-op/condo attorneys to find solutions, and get some guidance, on these challenges. For more co-op and condo insights, sign up to receive Habitat's free newsletters or become a Habitat subscriber today!

Send us a text

Confused about who's responsible for that leaky window or damaged floor? If your board has ever faced a battle over repairs, you know that ambiguous governing documents can often lead to disputes. Ken Jacobs, a partner at the law firm Smith Buss & Jacobs, explains why "boring" repair issues are actually the number one reason boards update their proprietary leases. Learn how to establish clear policies regarding problematic areas like radiator valves, fireplaces, and tiles, and how to avoid the costly consequences of inconsistent decisions. Whether you're already dealing with an aging building or preemptively considering updating your documents, this episode provides the knowledge you need to protect your building from unexpected financial liability. Habitat's Emily Myers conducts the interview.

The business of running a building is demanding work that requires making endless decisions — some that can quickly lead your board into a quagmire of legal difficulties. Legal Talk interviews New York's leading co-op/condo attorneys to find solutions, and get some guidance, on these challenges. For more co-op and condo insights, sign up to receive Habitat's free newsletters or become a Habitat subscriber today!

Send us a text

In the era of Local Law 11 work, the access agreement has become so mundane that it usually doesn’t cause controversy. That isn’t true, though, for buildings facing a developer who wants to build a new building next door. Mark Hankin, partner at the law firm Hankin & Mazel, warns of proposed legislative changes that would favor developers by forcing buildings to accept permanent underpinning without fair compensation and potentially eliminating legal fee reimbursement for affected buildings. These changes could weaken a boards' ability to protect their buildings and get fair payment during neighboring construction, putting smaller properties at a disadvantage. Habitat’s Carol Ott conducts the interview.

The business of running a building is demanding work that requires making endless decisions — some that can quickly lead your board into a quagmire of legal difficulties. Legal Talk interviews New York's leading co-op/condo attorneys to find solutions, and get some guidance, on these challenges. For more co-op and condo insights, sign up to receive Habitat's free newsletters or become a Habitat subscriber today!

Send us a text

Intolerable behavior is everyone’s nightmare, and solving the problem first falls in the lap of a co-op or condo board. Often this is tossed to the building’s attorney or managing agent because the solution is painful, relentless and full of legal potholes. In this interview Justin Buchel, partner at Schneider Buchel, tackles what happens when objectionable conduct is addressed head on. From documenting evidence and issuing formal notices to conducting proper hearings and potential lease termination, he outlines the legal pathway that protects boards while addressing problematic residents. Habitat’s Carol Ott conducts the interview.

The business of running a building is demanding work that requires making endless decisions — some that can quickly lead your board into a quagmire of legal difficulties. Legal Talk interviews New York's leading co-op/condo attorneys to find solutions, and get some guidance, on these challenges. For more co-op and condo insights, sign up to receive Habitat's free newsletters or become a Habitat subscriber today!

Send us a text

When a resident asks for an accommodation, the response may not be so straightforward. Your co-op or condo board will need to approach each request thoughtfully, legally and compassionately. Daniel Finger, partner at the law firm Finger and Finger, offers crucial insights into determining what's "reasonable," avoiding potential discrimination complaints, and balancing the needs of all residents. His conversation with Habitat's Emily Myers covers everything from elevator installations to emotional support animals, emphasizing the importance of an interactive, case-by-case approach. Whether you're dealing with visible or invisible disabilities, this episode provides practical strategies to navigate complex accommodation requests while protecting your board's interests and supporting your community's diverse needs.

The business of running a building is demanding work that requires making endless decisions — some that can quickly lead your board into a quagmire of legal difficulties. Legal Talk interviews New York's leading co-op/condo attorneys to find solutions, and get some guidance, on these challenges. For more co-op and condo insights, sign up to receive Habitat's free newsletters or become a Habitat subscriber today!