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Welcome to Board Talk, the area of Habitatmag.com where co-op.condo board directors can chat about topics that they face, and have to make choices about. We welcome intelligent and informed discussion to our forum. If you are going to criticize an individual or firm, we ask that you take responsibility for doing so by signing your name and board or company position. Anonymous criticisms are not useful, and are subject to deletion.

Pool Company — Phyllis, Tue Feb 9 12:16pm
Thank you for recommending Trident Recreation, our president of the board spoke to the owner but although he was soooooooo nice he was unable to help us because they only service outdoor pools. So here I am again asking if anyone knows of a pool managing company for a indoor a pool. Thank you
Pool Company (nm) — Phyllis, Tue Feb 9 12:11pm
Do you have a "chargeback" system? — Frank, Sat Feb 6 2:34am
I'm a HABITAT writer doing an article how a co-op/condo board can create a policy and a price list for minor in-apartment work that building staff can do (fixing a cabinet door, installing an air conditioner, mounting a TV wall-bracket, that sort of thing), as an amenity/convenience that makes the staff some money and ... more
Energy Savings — Michael C., Wed Feb 3 8:58am
Hello: Has anyone utilized the services of a company called Greensmart? Our Board just had a presentation by a representative from this company and it appears to be a positive move should we decide to proceed. If anyone has experience with this or a similar company, specifically in actual savings and shareholder... more
  • Energy — Mark Levine, Wed Feb 3 9:49am
Pool Company — Phyllis, Tue Feb 2 3:40pm
Hi: It is my understanding there are pool companies that come in and do all the work to get a pool up and running. Does anyone know of a company that is reliable? Our condo's are in Brooklyn... Thanks.
  • Pool Co. — Mark Levine, Wed Feb 3 8:54am
Brooklyn handyman — Phyllis, Tue Feb 2 3:37pm
Hi All Can anyone recommend a handyman for our condo's. We have 80 buildings 4 condo's to each building. /We are looking to outsource our handyman work and would like someone reliable and in the area. We are in Dyker,Boro Park, surrounding areas are Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst. Any recommendations?
  • handyman — Bob (phyllis), Tue Feb 2 3:53pm
Managements Company's — Anonymous, Mon Feb 1 2:59pm
I heard that Bellmarc Property Management was purchased by Douglas Elliman Property Management.
Spending to Resolve Complaints — Michael C., Fri Jan 29 9:29am
Some insight, please: We have been discussing two ongoing noise issues in our building. The first is an elderly shareholder who hears noises in her kitchen walls. The Board has spent $1100. to have this issue addressed by an independent engineer. The professional determined that any noise was not at a decibel high... more
  • Noise issues — CDT, Wed Feb 3 2:16pm
  • Noise — Ex Res Manager, Mon Feb 1 5:04pm
  • Noise — Mark Levine, Fri Jan 29 2:01pm
    • Noise — Riverdale, Sun Jan 31 3:01am
      • noise — RLM, Mon Feb 1 12:24am
        • Noise — Riverdale, Mon Feb 1 2:17am
  • noise — Anonymous, Fri Jan 29 10:00am
Elevator Modernazation — MWood, Fri Jan 29 12:44am
Our board is in the process of looking for a consultant and overhaul our elevators. can you tell me what price range to expect for two elevators in a 100 unit building? Thanks
SOMEONE - sponsor?! Stuy Townand coops — ally, Tue Jan 26 5:50pm
Does the stuy town ruling mean that coops should no longer let sponsors rent market rate apartments????? (we have a sponsor that keeps doing this over and over)
Service Agreements — DavidG, Mon Jan 25 12:04pm
Hi Everyone, We are currently reviewing our service agreements, and wanted to generate some feedback/comments as analyze how we can improve our maintenance and keep our overall costs under control. Our building currently has two service agreements in place: 1) Elevator – We use a company that services us monthly (has... more
2010 real estate tax abatement? — RFG, Fri Jan 22 9:15am
Hi can anyone tell me when the managing agent should receive a notice from New York City department of Finance confirming the 2010 real estate tax abatement? The board would like to review for accuracy (in the past, purchasing shareholders that bought shares from the sponsor didn’t receive timely abatements due to... more
Next issue of Habitat — Webmaster, Wed Jan 20 1:20pm
The February preview video is now up!
Bird droppings and Board of Health — boardone, Fri Jan 15 9:15pm
Anyone know when it is necessary to call in Board of Health about massive bird droppings on window ledges, fire escapes etc? SOme SH are worried about bird flu and other disease carried by droppings. Whose responsibility is it to clean off window ledges, escapes, etc? Is it landlord legally responsible for get rid to... more
Superintendents Position — Mike MacGowan, Resident Manager, Fri Jan 15 3:29pm
Anyone who knows of any Superintendents who are in need of a position, I know of a building that they are interviewing next Thursday, January 21st. If anyone is interested please send their resume to (212) 702-0193 Fax or email to Mikemac72@aol.com The building details are: The building is a Rental LEED certified... more
Chargebacks? — anon, Thu Jan 14 5:43am
I just received an invoice from the coop's managment company for what they call a chargeback bill from a locksmith. About 6 months ago, I did lose my passkey to the bldg and had the bldgs's assigned locksmith deactivate the lost passkey and issue a new one. Can they do this?
Worst board in the world? — JB, Wed Jan 13 1:58pm
Did anyone else read that new piece up on the website today? Did you read the oart about unelected "associate members" a.k.a. cronies? Holy crap.
  • a.k.a. cronies — DannyPittsacotta, Thu Jan 14 3:17am
  • ? — Anonymous, Thu Jan 14 1:28am
    • re: ? — JB, Thu Jan 14 1:00pm
F/T Non Union Super Needed — West Cty board member, Mon Jan 11 8:58am
Our ads have not produced enough responses to choose a qualified super. Any suggestions to increase our hit rate?
Current Refinance Rates for Co-ops — gluegirl, Thu Jan 7 3:01pm
Anyone happen to know what the current rate/rates are for re-financing a small 16 unit building in MANHATTAN? We're at about 6.75 with three years to go but we need some money to do capital improvements and pay off some bills. Mortage amount we owe now is $225K. Any referrals would be appreciated as well. Thanks!
insurance — Janies, Thu Jan 7 9:06am
One of Board Members was looking over our insurance policies and noticed that we were not covered for terrorism related problems. Apparently the bank that provided his mortgage was also not too happy about it. Is this pretty common coverage to have here in NYC?