2016 March
Focus on... Exterior Maintenance

A building’s roof serves as the first line of defense against whatever the skies throw at its inhabitants—wind, rain and blazing sun, even snow and ice in some climates—so it’s crucial for that roof to be sound and well maintained. All it t…

Even after the rain is gone, you may still not be able to see clearly—if your windows haven’t been washed lately, that is. Even if you have the greatest views in the entire complex and your windows are dirty, your views might as well be a b…

When it comes to rebounding and rebuilding after a natural or man-made disaster, nothing is simple. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) exists to help with the process, but getting that help can be complicated. You have to know w…

There are certain perils—fires, major weather events, and so forth—that announce themselves clearly; others are more subtle, if no less hazardous. Things like gas leaks, electrical shorts and surges, and water leaks may not be as dramatic a…

All you have to do is turn on the TV these days to know how popular kitchen and bathroom renovations have become. Backsplashes, stainless steel appliances, subway tiles, granite countertops, glass-enclosed showers, soaking tubs—the list of …

Q. Previous to the current management company, the board would review the minutes after each meeting and then distribute them to all of the owners. The new management company now states that the minutes cannot be distributed until they ha…

Q. I recently hired an outside contractor to do some repairs in my condominium unit. Now, my building management is accusing said contractor of damaging the door to the unit. My contractor is not aware of the damage or and doesn’t believe…

Q. I own a condo in Hollywood, Florida. It is approximately 50-60 years old. All told, there are seven commercial units within the building and around 260 residential units. We are NOT remodeling the building. We want to follow all the ne…

Q. We have recently found that a member of our co-op's board of directors had covertly taped the conversations during a board meeting and a board interview with a prospective purchaser. We have also learned that she has submitted this tap…