Page 18 - CooperatorNews South Florida Expo 2021

18 COOPERATORNEWS SOUTH FLORIDA —EXPO 2021 SOFL.COOPERATORNEWS.COM $AVE, $AVE, $AVE Our customers enjoy reduced natural gas expenses every month. Join them and start saving today. 1 3 BUDGET CERTAINTY Protect yourself against market volatility with pricing plan options that allow you to build a better budget for your property. 5 ONLY FLORIDA We’re based in Florida, only do business in Florida, and only serve Florida businesses. 4 FREE UTILITY REVIEW Receive a complimentary review of your condo association’s utility bills. We’ll show you where to save even more money. 2 TRACK & REPORT $AVINGS Our savings comparison reports show you how much you are saving each and every month versus the local utility! Email to save: Pauline Lubie: pauline@mirabitogas.com Anchy Goldglanz: anchy@mirabitogas.com Call to save: 954-280-5358 www.mirabitogas.com Stop by booth 434 on December 9, 2021 and enter our raffle for your chance to win a $250 gift card! MANAGEMENT For nearly two years now, the pan- demic has dominated just about every of helping to reduce the spread of CO- corner of multifamily community man- agement—particularly when it comes to indoor air quality, circulation, and filtra- tion. But even before anyone had ever ney specializing in community law and a heard of COVID-19, pet dander, pollen, partner at the law firm of Marcus Errico smoke, cleaning and pest control chemi- cals, mold, and other allergens had the sachusetts, “Multiple chemical sensitiv- capacity to make life miserable for resi- dents and staff sensitive to such irritants. When those issues arise in a single- family home, the solution is clear: re- home the cat, remove the plant or bush, refer to as ‘environmental illnesses’ are kick the habit, and use gentler, more hy- poallergenic products for cleaning and a disability under HUD—and that’s the exterminating. In a multifamily residen- tial community such as a co-op or con- dominium, however, eliminating those HUD rules apply nationwide. States may irritants can be more difficult. The pet expand upon them, but not diminish may belong to your neighbor; the land- scaping choices may not be your domain; and the chemicals used by the extermi- nator may be out of your control. But difficult or not, condo and co-op Act (ADA), explains Mark Hakim, of boards have just as much responsibil- ity to address—and ameliorate, if at all Schwartz, Sladkus, Reich, Greenberg & possible—residents’ environmental sen- sitivities as they do a person’s need for Act, as amended from time to time, is a a wheelchair ramp or large-print meet- ing minutes. And these days, with the disabilities,” he says. “Under the ADA, a pandemic dragging on as we head into person with a disability is someone who months of colder temperatures and in- creased holiday traffic in common areas, seriously limits one or more major life keeping the air in your building or HOA activities, or who is regarded as having as clean as possible has the added benefit VID and other illnesses. Is Sensitivity a Disability? According to Ellen Shapiro, an attor- Emmer & Brooks, PC, in Braintree, Mas- ity in itself is considered a disability. The Department of Housing and Urban De- velopment (HUD) administers all these issues. Their position...is that what they legitimate conditions. The definition of definition we use—is a condition that substantially limits a major life activity. them.” The legal framework under which we consider disabilities is further defined under the Americans with Disabilities counsel at New York-based law firm Atlas. “The Americans with Disabilities federal law protecting those with legal has a physical or mental impairment that Environmental Irritants Managing Allergens & Indoor Air Quality BY A J SIDRANSKY See us at Booth 434 See us at Booth 530