New York City building energy efficiency scores are now live! Effective October 31, 2020, all buildings greater than 25,000 square feet must post their energy efficiency grade, visible to all by every and all entrances. Those that do not, risk getting fined.
Read MoreHeading into the seventh month of social distancing, many coop and condo boards are starting to decide on whether to have or not to have their annual meetings. Although boards could likely postpone the annual meeting for now, some boards would like to schedule and hold their annual meetings. Here are some options and benefits to scheduling a virtual annual meeting.
Read MoreAt 7 pm every night, New Yorkers are literally hanging out of their windows and clapping and banging pots and pans to cheer on and thank our essential workers. Since the onset of the Covid-19 ‘shelter in place’ order, #ClapBecauseWeCare has become a highlight for many of us in New York City. Which brings us to the question, what residential building workers are considered essential?
Photocredit: Deutsch Photography
Read MoreWith the COVID-19 measures taken, multifamily buildings, including coops and condos, may not be able to collect rents, maintenance, and common charges from those affected. Yet, property owners need to continue paying their bills. Will this jeopardize their ability to function?
Read MoreIt’s time for sidewalk sheds and scaffolding, again. February 21, 2020 marks the beginning of the 9th cycle of façade inspections for all NYC buildings. The Façade Inspection Safety Program (FISP) was formerly known and still often referred to as Local Law 11. Building owners and managers have four years to complete the inspection and make the necessary repairs.
Read MoreWould you go to a restaurant that had anything but a letter “A” posted in the window? As recently reported in Curbed NY, Local Law 95, which is an amendment to Local Law 33, mandates that all New York City buildings post their letter grade on the building. Buildings are expected to receive their letters in the fall of 2020. The building grade is based on how much carbon it emits; in a nutshell, new buildings will have higher grades while old buildings will have poorer grades.
Read MoreIt’s that time of the year again. Soon, you will need to inform your coop shareholders or condo owners that their monthly fees are increasing, again. This is in spite of a close to zero inflation economy and owners’ salaries barely increasing. Despite this, every contract and vendor that the board hires, on owners’ behalf, automatically increases their fees every year.
Read MoreWhen opening her apartment door, Emily was surprised to see that the hallways were already lit. She recently bought this apartment because her realtor had told her that the condo board was proactively “green,” something that she, as a millennial, genuinely cared about. Her realtor had highlighted that they recently replaced all light fixtures with LEDs on motion sensors. Emily had to think about it for a minute and then went back into the apartment, while leaving the door wide open. After a few minutes, all except one fixture turned off. The fixture by the elevator remained lit but had dimmed from where it was before.
Read MoreHave you ever wondered why buildings are covered under scaffolding, often times for years? And this summer, it seems that scaffolding, also known as a sidewalk shed, is going up on every block. Well, summer is the season for exterior work. It is when buildings comply with the Façade Inspection & Safety Program (FISP), formerly known as Local Law 11. After months of planning and funding, this is when scaffolding goes up and lots of Coop, Condo, and rental property residents start living in darkness for months or even years.
Photocredits: Deborah Donenfeld Photography
Read MoreWho services the elevators in your building? This is done by a specific elevator service company, which the coop or condo has a service contract with. Our research shows that some buildings pay 100% more than others for these contracts. Don’t feel trapped by your elevator contract; find out if we can help you reduce the cost of your service contract by calling us today!
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