A homeowner’s association is a democracy, but living in one involves subjecting yourself to some intrusion. It’s all in the bylaws.Q: In my townhome community on Long Island, the board is mandating that we submit to inspections of the exteriors and windows of our homes by an outside company. If the inspectors find deficiencies, we
When serious health issues, including dementia, make sharing an apartment building difficult, there are resources available to consider.Q: I live in a co-op apartment on the Upper West Side. There is a rent-stabilized apartment on my floor occupied by an older couple who have lived here for 50 years and have serious health issues. This
New York City requires building owners to provide heat between Oct. 1 and May 31.Q: Our co-op building near Gramercy Park is not following New York City heating laws. There’s been no heat after 10 p.m. so far this year, and there was rarely heat at night last year. There is no heat at 6
State law requires landlords to return security deposits within 14 days.Q: After selling our apartment in Brooklyn, my family and I rented for 14 months from an owner in our building. We thought we had a good relationship with her and took excellent care of the apartment. But when we moved out, she returned only
Demand will only increase for housing that allows people to age in place, especially in cities with larger senior populations.Q: My husband and I live in Portland, Ore., in a three-level single-family home. Three bedrooms and two bathrooms are on the top level, and we are constantly up and down stairs and use all of
Most co-ops require shareholders to comply with local laws and regulations, not just their own rules.Q: I live in a midsize co-op building in the West Village. A rent-stabilized tenant on the first floor had listed a room in her apartment on Airbnb for years, until such rentals were prohibited. We also registered our building
Technically you’re not roommates, but the law could still work in your favor.Q: I recently moved into a room in a three-bedroom apartment in Astoria. Each tenant has a separate lease with the owner, and the tenants are responsible for some utilities, with one roommate paying and the others reimbursing them. When I signed my
Noise complaints in New York City often go nowhere, but luckily for you, the source of the noise is an illegal business.Q: Last month, a cannabis shop opened underneath my Gramercy apartment. We checked, and it doesn’t have a license to sell marijuana. The store has a lounge where people can stay and smoke, and
Laws about dangerous dogs are designed to protect you, but before you involve the authorities, your condo has a duty to protect its unit owners.Q: There is a vicious dog in my Philadelphia condo building. The dog has attacked at least two building employees, leaving bite marks and drawing blood. It also lunged at a
‘Everything that gets locked, gets unlocked,’ said one professional. So it’s a matter of your preference and what your home can accommodate.Q: My home has been broken into on more than one occasion in recent years, and I’m looking for the best way to secure it. Should I stick with a traditional deadbolt lock with
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