Does anyone have experience with Pilgrim Oil as a source for heating oil? How is the service and prices? Thank you.

Yes, we shall employ a suitable engineering firm to write the specifications to replace our roof. It is a flat 32,000 sq. ft. roof that has 36 waste pipe penetrations and are 36 air vent penetrations with exhaust fans (these vent kitchens and bathrooms). May I have your feedback as to the efficacy and any issues... more

How normal is it for a building manager to also be a commercial leasing broker for his same company? seems a little stretched for me.

does anyone know if this is illegal? Our monthly bills usually list late fees as a separate line-item: 'late charge'. If this portion of the bill remains unpaid into a second or third month it generally continues to be listed separately from the monthly "maintenance" portion. Recently, there was a bill where a ... more

We are looking for an honest, reputable, and competent live-in Super. Along with overseeing the (small) staff, this is a hands on job. We are a 100 unit CoOp on the East side of NY. We were very happy with our last Super, who left on very good terms, for a bigger job. Our MangAgent indicates that there is a... more

We have space in the basement for storage for some (not all) of the bicycles used/owned by shareholders. I'd be interested in hearing how other buildings manage this amenity -- including, among other things, who gets to store his/her bike there, for how long, is there a fee or is it free, how do you handle requests... more

In the current economic environment, what are the recommended vehicles in which to have your reserve fund invested?

I am looking for an honest, reputable, and competent managing agent. Any referrals. GM

anyone heard of this>? our rather horrible managing agent charged a late fee on an unpaid late fee - it seems wrong. In addition, the now term this "maintenence" on the bill and are not using the term late fee as they did before. something is not right.

Basic procedural question here. I'm under the impression that in most co-ops, the counsel and accountant are hired by the board and are answerable to the board, rather than to the management company. The management company usually has no role in hiring a co-op's counsel or accountant. Is that indeed the case? If... more

Habitat Magazine should develop a methodology to allow the annual Management Survey to become a survey of boards that employ the various management companies. At the moment these surveys are of Management and are of no use to boards in evaluating these companies. In many industries, surveys are of users of a... more

Does anyone know of a source for what the average maintenance increase is per year for co-ops in NYC? Also, is there a source (such as a Habitat magazine survey of its subscribers) for how often, on average, co-ops raise the maintenance (e.g., 20% of co-ops have raised their maintenance every 3 years over the last... more

Are you ready, we are not? A resident has indicated a plan to buy an electric car The resident would like the convenience of an outlet in his assigned parking space (indoors). For reference, we have a two level (both indoor) parking garage, really enclosed, so it is not an open deck. We can accommodate about 300... more

Our 80 unit coop building in the Bronx is considering a lock in on heating oil prices for this winter. Has anyone else done a lock in for 2008-2009? Are you required to pay a premium over the price? We were offered a price of 15% to 20% over todays price per gallon. Thanks!

Hi Everyone, Our board just rejected an applicant. The shareholder's attorney contacted the board asking for a reason for the rejection and requesting the board interview the applicant. I know the board does not have to reveal a reason for rejection and we have no intention of doing that or in meeting with a... more

Hello everyone, Has anybody viewed or used the Ask the Experts videos Habitat has elsewhere on this site? http://www.habitatmag.com/publication_content/ask_the_experts I'm curious because I have. Thank you.

Our board is discussing the amount of assets an applicant should have after closing for the approval of a purchase application. Most say applicants ahould have 2 years worth of mortage/maintenance and NOT include retirement assets. Some say we should see 2 years worth and include retirement assets A few say 1 year... more

Is the sponsor in your building still holding more than 40% of the shares? Still somehow controlling the board? Still serving as the managing agent? Join the Flatbush Development Corporation in working to develop a citywide coalition of resident shareholders fighting sponsor control. Wednesday, September 10, 2008... more

anyone had experiences and can make recommendations? Thanks! (To clarify - this is when you hire a co. to audit water bills, often resulting in signifigant savings and refunds, and they take a percentage of the savings as their payment.

A shareholder has requested permission to erect a Sukkah in our building's rear courtyard (not visible from the street). Any reason why we should be wary or is it not a problem?