CooperatorNews Chicagoland, The Condo, HOA & Co-op Monthly

CooperatorNews Chicagoland, The Condo, HOA & Co-op Monthly https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/ © 2023 - Yale Robbins Publications, LLC 2023-11-15T00:00:00-05:00 https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/__ch/logo.png https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/executive-council-for-housing-affordability-urges-congress-to-act Executive Council for Housing Affordability Urges Congress to Act

According to a recent item published by the National Housing Conference (NHC), the Executive Council for Housing Affordability (ECHA) at the J. Ronald Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy sent a letter to Congressional leaders on November 8, “urging them to work together to pass comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to address the housing affordability crisis and its root cause, lack of suppl…

2023-11-15T00:00:00-05:00 2023-11-15T00:00:00-05:00 Cooper Smith © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/2023-cooperatorevents-chicagoland-expo---im-on-your-side---making-the-most-of-the-board-manager-relationship 2023 CooperatorEvents Chicagoland Expo - I'm On Your Side - Making the Most of the Board-Manager Relationship

The relationship between a building or association's board and their property manager sets the tone for the entire community. Transparency, clearly-defined expectations, and accountability are hallmarks of a healthy, functional board-management partnership; but establishing and maintaining that relationship takes work, and commitment on both sides. This panel of management and legal pros will offe…

2023-11-10T00:00:00-05:00 2023-11-10T00:00:00-05:00 Cooperator Studio © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/2023-cooperatorevents-chicagoland-expo-seminar---tips-for-avoiding-costly-pitfalls-mitigating-improper-work 2023 CooperatorEvents Chicagoland Expo Seminar - Tips for Avoiding Costly Pitfalls & Mitigating Improper Work

The scope and cost of maintaining masonry - let alone undertaking a comprehensive repair and restoration project - can be extremely daunting for building owners and boards. Unfamiliarity with materials and methods, lack of prior experience with masonry contractors, and project management are just a few of the reasons why. This panel of industry experts includes both consultants and contractors, an…

2023-11-10T00:00:00-05:00 2023-11-10T00:00:00-05:00 Cooperator Studio © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/2023-cooperatorevents-chicagoland-expo-seminar---low-slope-roof-system-and-installation--current-standards 2023 CooperatorEvents Chicagoland Expo Seminar - Low-slope Roof System and Installation- Current Standards

As your building ages, maintaining a roof eventually becomes too costly or bothersome and roof replacement is considered. As a property manager or owner, understanding current standards per typical building codes and manufacturer requirements for reroofing projects puts you in a better position to negotiate with contractors and to manage you consultants and professionals. This presentation provide…

2023-11-10T00:00:00-05:00 2023-11-10T00:00:00-05:00 Cooperator Studio © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/2023-cooperatorevents-chicagoland-expo-seminar---greenscaping---new-eco-friendly-landscaping-methods-materials-to-improve-your-curb-appeal 2023 CooperatorEvents Chicagoland Expo Seminar - GreenScaping - New, Eco-Friendly Landscaping Methods & Materials to Improve Your Curb Appeal

Everybody wants lush, green grass and vibrant, healthy plants and flowers on their building or HOA's grounds - but residents and boards today are equally concerned about issues of water use, soil erosion, invasive pests, and other environmental impacts from engineered landscapes, as well as the rising cost of grounds maintenance. This expert panel will explore the latest in sustainable, more eco-f…

2023-11-10T00:00:00-05:00 2023-11-10T00:00:00-05:00 Cooperator Studio © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/2023-cooperatorevents-chicagoland-expo-seminar-keeping-the-peace---conflict-management-tips-for-boards-property-managers 2023 CooperatorEvents Chicagoland Expo Seminar: Keeping the Peace - Conflict Management Tips for Boards & Property Managers

Conflict management skills are part of every good manager and board member’s toolkit - especially in this era of social media and heightened cultural tensions. Between defusing hostility at meetings, coping with the impact of platforms like Nextdoor and Yelp, or understanding what constitutes ‘harassment’ and how to deal with it, community administrators have a lot to deal with. This expert panel …

The First Amendment of the US Constitution guarantees the right to free speech and expression - but how does that right apply to the residents of multifamily co-op or condo buildings? Does it apply at all? Can you - or the guy down the hall in 2B - display political, social, or religious statements from a window, terrace, or front door? The answer may surprise you. Curbing Your Enthusiasm “Condo…

2023-11-02T00:00:00-04:00 2023-11-02T00:00:00-04:00 A.J. Sidransky © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/understanding-your-monthly-financial-information Understanding Your Monthly Financial Information

Congratulations! You’ve just been elected to the board of directors, and given your first monthly financial packet. Like many new board members, your first thought may be, “This is so confusing. Glad I’m not the treasurer - I don’t have to understand the association’s financial information!” The truth is that every member of the board has a fiduciary responsibility over your community’s financia…

Q. I have written several complaint letters to the board and the managing agent regarding a noisy neighbor. They did send a letter to the shareholders about a year ago, but the problem persists, and although I continue to write letters, nothing is being done. What is my recourse? Do I file against the board for not acting on my behalf? Thank you in advance for your response to this. It really af…

Q. My HOA found garbage dumped on the front of our street—and since they didn’t know who did it, decided to fine everyone on the street. Problem is that during that time period, the HOA had numerous unsupervised contractors working with dumpsters all over the place in our community. How can they falsely claim this and extort money from owners? —Not My Garb…

Part of the appeal of HOA or condo living is living in an orderly, well-kept community where neighbors have agreed to uphold certain standards for their properties, the better to preserve value for all. For many, those standards include the aesthetic choices residents make for the exterior of their unit and its immediate surroundings—anything from window shutters to paint colors, mailbox placement…

Emergencies in multifamily communities can take on many forms. High-rises and sprawling developments alike can be impacted by big crises, such as fires or hurricanes, as well as smaller challenges, such as a broken pipe or a fallen tree limb. Large or small, all must be taken seriously. It’s up to boards and managers to deal with crises when they arise, and that means preparing ahead of time to …

Among the many benefits of living in a multifamily building or HOA is a built-in community of residents who can get to know each other if they want to and ultimately enjoy spending time together. Some communities encourage their residents to get together by planning events throughout the year, while others leave it up to the residents to create their own time to mingle outside of their units. Wi…

2023-10-19T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-19T00:00:00-04:00 Keith Loria © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/current-trends-in-multifamily-design Current Trends in Multifamily Design

As Carrie Fisher’s character says in When Harry Met Sally, “Everyone thinks they have great taste and a good sense of humor,” but that’s obviously not true—and some of the decorative ideas in multifamily buildings challenge this belief. It’s true that when it comes to interior design and decorating, taste is subjective, and trends come and go. That said, it’s still important to find a design tha…

2023-10-19T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-19T00:00:00-04:00 Keith Loria © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/board-packages-interviews-the-good-the-bad-the-illegal Board Packages & Interviews

When buying into a co-op, condo, or HOA, you’re not merely buying a home—you’re buying into a community. These communities are governed by policies and procedures that typically include prospective member requisites, as well as the methods or processes for obtaining such information. Ultimately, it is all furnished in what is known as the “board package”—the dossier of letters, statements, disclos…

When seeking a place to call home, potential co-op and condo buyers are seeking a place of peace and quiet. No one wants to live in the midst of a tempest. And peace and quiet can be both literal and figurative, of course. The constant din of discord and disagreement caused by endless litigation, for example, can be as distracting and destructive to a property’s reputation as the roar of truck tra…

Striking a healthy balance between the governance and the management of a co-op or condo community can be a challenge. While it’s the board that governs, it’s management that executes…at least that’s how it’s supposed to be in theory. That rule of thumb can become a lot more complicated when there’s a disconnect between board expectations and management performance. Course-correcting when things g…

2023-10-19T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-19T00:00:00-04:00 A.J. Sidransky © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/how-multifamily-boards-stay-on-top-of-the-law How Multifamily Boards Stay on Top of the Law

Multifamily communities are governed by laws that range from local ordinances to federal housing statutes. Not only is there a long list of codes, deadlines, inspections, filings, and regulations to follow, but these important items and dates tend to change frequently, making it nearly a full-time job just to keep abreast of them and ensure that nothing is falling through the cracks (hopefully not…

Living in close quarters can—and often does—lead to conflict. In co-op, condo, and HOA communities, conflict can occur between residents, or between a resident and the board. And to complicate matters, a seemingly isolated conflict between residents may spill over to become a conflict between resident(s) and the board. What’s the key to resolving differences? Like the old British wartime poster a…

2023-10-19T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-19T00:00:00-04:00 Cooperator Staff © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/simple-ways-co-ops-condos-hoas-can-help-the-environment Simple Ways Co-ops, Condos, & HOAs Can Help the Environment

Nobel Prize–eschewing poet and folk-rock music legend Bob Dylan might have been the first person to be known as “going electric” (at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965), but as with much of his oeuvre, the world is now following in his footsteps. Now it is imperative that as many people, industries, businesses, and buildings as possible go electric—that is, stop using carbon-emitting fossil fuels l…

2023-10-19T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-19T00:00:00-04:00 Darcey Gerstein © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/futurizing-multifamily-buildings Futurizing Multifamily Buildings

In his 1971 book Future Shock, author Alvin Toffler describes a society undergoing enormous structural change as a result of technological advancements—and the social stress and disorientation that came with that change. A half-century later, thanks to both ever-accelerating tech and the deepening climate crisis, we’re experiencing an era eerily reflective of what Toffler described. And while worl…

2023-10-19T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-19T00:00:00-04:00 A.J. Sidransky © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/cooperatorevents-expo-returns-to-navy-pier---november-7-10am---430pm CooperatorEvents Expo Returns to Navy Pier - November 7, 10am - 4:30pm!

Whether you’re a manager or a board member, running a condo, HOA, or co-op has never been an easy job. There’s always a capital project to fund, a contractor to hire, a dispute to resolve, a leak to repair...the list can feel endless. That’s why CooperatorEvents is thrilled to be at Navy Pier in Chicago on Tuesday, November 7, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for this fall’s Chicagoland Expo , an…

Amid roiling national and international political upheaval, the prohibitive cost of housing for all but the wealthiest homebuyers in nearly every US market remains a cause for great concern. In an October 15 statement, National Housing Conference president David M. Dworkin addressed the issue and touted his group’s annual Solutions for Affordable Housing Conference , to be held this year on Dec…

Q. Our association is self-managed with 12 units. An owner installed a dishwasher without any written request or approval from the board. The board told her that we believed this was a violation, since all 12 units share one water tank and one water meter. The water bill is included and paid with monthly assessments, and is the highest utility bill that the association pays. Our bylaws were writ…

2023-09-14T00:00:00-04:00 2023-09-14T00:00:00-04:00 Sima Kirsch © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/property-manager-education-training Property Manager Education & Training

While nobody will deny the importance of formal education and training, talk to enough professionals across the property management industry, and you’re likely to hear that while school was definitely useful, the experience gained on the job is just as important. In fact, in many cases, the most successful real estate professionals don’t start out in ‘the business.’ They arrive from other fields, …

2023-09-14T00:00:00-04:00 2023-09-14T00:00:00-04:00 A.J. Sidransky © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/surveillance-in-buildings-hoas Surveillance in Buildings & HOAs

In 2017, a Boston couple was brutally murdered in their penthouse apartment in a high-end condominium building. The murderer, the former employee of a company that supplied concierge services to the condo, had worked there, and so knew the ins and outs of the building—including some serious gaps in the property’s security that both the board and manager were aware of, but had done nothing to addre…

2023-09-14T00:00:00-04:00 2023-09-14T00:00:00-04:00 A.J. Sidransky © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/resources-for-multifamily-boards Resources for Multifamily Boards

Serving on the board of directors of a co-op, condo, or HOA can be a daunting undertaking, but there are numerous resources available to get new members up to speed and to inform seasoned members of the latest products, services, laws, and topics in the industry. Throughout the nation, whether you are new to your board or have been serving for years, you can find websites, publications, organizati…

2023-09-14T00:00:00-04:00 2023-09-14T00:00:00-04:00 Darcey Gerstein © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/adequate-community-insurance-coverage Adequate Community Insurance Coverage

The topic of insurance can provoke fear in the most steadfast of board members. It’s both terrifying in what its purpose implies, and yet at the same time mind-numbingly boring. It’s also one of the most important components in protecting our communities. In the past year, premiums—the monthly payments we make to insurers to maintain that protection—have increased dramatically. Stressful and munda…

There are plenty of reasons why many co-op, condo, and HOA residents would rather cross the street than talk about serving on their board. Maybe it’s the time demand—or maybe they have concerns about liability. Maybe it’s good old-fashioned apathy—or perhaps a combination of all three. Whatever the reason, having a full and functional board is critical to the efficient operation of any shared comm…

Cash flow is the lifeblood of any multifamily residential community, be it a rental building, co-op, condo, or HOA. However, because the latter three are nonprofit entities, maintaining consistent cash flow is even more critical to their health and wellbeing than it is to properties with the financial cushion of a profit margin. Co-ops, condos, and HOAs depend directly on monthly collections to pa…

2023-09-14T00:00:00-04:00 2023-09-14T00:00:00-04:00 A.J. Sidransky © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/navigating-todays-mortgage-market Navigating Today's Mortgage Market

The doubling of interest rates in the past 18 months has certainly had a chilling effect on sales of all types of private homes, whether they be condos high in the sky, co-ops in quaint, pre-war walk-ups, or detached single family homes in manicured HOAs. The cost of ownership has gone up with just about everything else. No real relief is expected in the near future, and there are those in the wor…

2023-09-08T00:00:00-04:00 2023-09-08T00:00:00-04:00 A.J. Sidransky © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/proposed-bill-would-extend-fema-aid-to-condos-co-ops-hoas Proposed Bill Would Extend FEMA Aid to Condos, Co-ops, & HOAs

A current bill working its way through Congress would correct a gap in the way the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) delivers recovery assistance in the wake of natural disasters. Sponsored by Reps. David Rouzer (R-N.C.), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) the bipartisan H.R. 3777, also called the Disaster Assistance Fairness Act , would make housing cooperatives, condo…

2023-06-27T00:00:00-04:00 2023-06-27T00:00:00-04:00 Hannah Fons © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/national-housing-conference-launches-new-down-payment-calculator National Housing Conference Launches New Down Payment Calculator

According to a June 14 press release , the National Housing Conference (NHC) in partnership with the Black Homeownership Collaborative has developed a free mortgage affordability calculator to help all home-seekers - particularly those from historically underserved communities - determine not only how much of a mortgage they can afford, but also how big a down payment they will need, based on t…

2023-06-14T00:00:00-04:00 2023-06-14T00:00:00-04:00 Cooperator Staff © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/june-13th-is-international-community-association-managers-day June 13th is International Community Association Managers Day

Boards, managers, and residents, take note - Tuesday, June 13 is International Community Association Managers Day! Established in 2022, the day recognizes the 55,000+ community association managers in the U.S. and the many thousands more worldwide who devote an enormous amount of time and energy attending to the day-to-day functioning of their client buildings and associations. According to the …

2023-05-31T00:00:00-04:00 2023-05-31T00:00:00-04:00 Cooperator Staff © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/is-your-condo-on-fannie-maes-blacklist Is Your Condo on Fannie Mae’s Blacklist?

As has been widely reported lately, Fannie Mae, which is under the conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has developed a secret blacklist of condominiums, HOAs and co-ops that are ineligible for “conventional financing”, i.e. loans that can be sold on the secondary market. It will be difficult for owners in these blacklisted condominiums to either sell or refinance their uni…

2023-05-31T00:00:00-04:00 2023-05-31T00:00:00-04:00 Stephen M. Marcus Edmund A. Allcock © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/qa-at-the-boards-exclusion Q&A: At the Board’s Exclusion

Q. We have a board member who has been locked out of meetings. According to that board member, the board has formed an executive committee that has, for all intents and purposes, shut them out. The board member is no longer able to view board discussions and cannot participate in board debates, decisions, or activities. The person has been disenfranchised and marginalized for reasons that have t…

There was a time not so long ago when having ground floor commercial space—or any rentable non-residential space, really—was a huge asset for a condominium or co-op building. The income stream from the space to the community helped offset operating costs and reduce the frequency and amount of assessments and monthly fee increases. Often, these commercial leases were written on a ‘net’ basis, meani…

As the old saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression—which is why the façade of your building should always look clean and in top shape, for both aesthetic and commercial reasons. Important as appearances are, however, a neglected façade can ultimately cost a building or association more than just poor presentation. Façades serve two very specific purposes: they’re the face y…

In addition to their boards, common interest communities are governed by a set of foundational documents. In a condominium, those documents are the declaration and bylaws; co-ops also have bylaws, as well as a unique document called a proprietary lease. In addition, both condos and co-ops have a set of house rules that can vary somewhat from community to community. Occasionally, either because o…

2023-05-24T00:00:00-04:00 2023-05-24T00:00:00-04:00 A.J. Sidransky © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/dealing-with-major-facade-projects Dealing With Major Façade Projects

Like the skin of the human body, a building’s façade is its largest organ (so to speak), offering structure and protection, as well as a first aesthetic impression. It also takes the brunt of extremely harsh conditions: weather, wind, water, and deterioration from things like environmental pollutants, sunlight, salt…even bird poop. So façades need to be constantly monitored, inspected, and maintai…

It’s little surprise to many that the residents of luxury apartment buildings spend less time in their apartments than their less well-off neighbors. Second and even third homes are the reality for many wealthy shareholders and unit owners—but that reality can pose challenges for the boards and management of buildings in which many residents are absent for extended periods of time. Echo Empty …

2023-05-24T00:00:00-04:00 2023-05-24T00:00:00-04:00 A.J. Sidransky © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/senate-committee-on-aging-pitches-vital-act Senate Committee on Aging Pitches VITAL Act

According to a recent announcement by Sen. Bob Casey (D-Penn.), chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, by 2060 one in four Americans will be over the age of 65, and two in five adults over 65 live with a disability. In light of those sobering statistics, Casey - along with co-sponsors Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Pet…

2023-05-08T00:00:00-04:00 2023-05-08T00:00:00-04:00 Cooper Smith © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/fannie-maes-secret-blacklist-of-properties Fannie Mae's Secret 'Blacklist' of Properties

According to a recent investigative piece by the Orange County (Florida) Register , Fannie Mae is keeping a secret “blacklist” of condominium, HOA and cooperative properties which the federal agency has decreed that lenders should stay away from. Fannie Mae is a United States Government sponsored enterprise whose purpose is to expand the secondary mortgage market. According to the Registe…

2023-04-27T00:00:00-04:00 2023-04-27T00:00:00-04:00 Stephen M. Marcus Edmund A. Allcock © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/qa-voting-vs-privacy-2 Q&A: Voting vs. Privacy

Q. I live in Chicago. We are having our annual meeting to elect board members. Ballots were sent to each unit to vote. Our management company wants our voted ballots to be signed and returned by mail before our annual meeting. I feel my vote is private. I plan on attending the meeting, but I do not want to sign. Can I be made to sign in order to vote? —Wish to Remain Anonymous A.…

Q. My neighbor, who leases the condo from a married couple who live out of state, is not home a lot. Last summer it was quite hot, and being an athletic person, he went out for a long run. There are only two entrances to our condo building: the front door, and walking around the building to the garage. The gentleman walked in the front door in his running shorts (to his knees) and running shoes,…

2023-03-08T00:00:00-05:00 2023-03-08T00:00:00-05:00 James Erwin © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/qa-filing-a-financial-mismanagement-complaint Q&A: Filing a Financial Mismanagement Complaint

Q. How do you go about filing a complaint against the board and property management for financial mismanagement? We suspect the board has exhausted its operating expense budget on items that are deemed capital expense. The board is now asking for a vote on special assessment to cover items. —Redressing a Wrong A. “You believe the board has financially mismanaged th…

Q. Is there a definition of ‘owner-occupied’ in Illinois for co-ops? The issue is whether a mom and dad could purchase a unit in our co-op for their son or daughter who would be living in the unit alone. Or could a son/daughter purchase a unit for their parents who also would be living alone in the unit? Or does the language of owner-occupied mean that at least one person occupying the unit must…

2023-03-08T00:00:00-05:00 2023-03-08T00:00:00-05:00 A.J. Sidransky © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/handling-sensitive-complaints-in-condos-co-ops Handling Sensitive Complaints in Condos & Co-ops

Conflict comes hand-in-hand with living in close quarters—and condominium and cooperative living is a prime example. Most dust-ups between neighbors involve run-of-the-mill issues like noise or hallway clutter, and can be settled with a cordial conversation between the parties involved—or with a mild nudge from the manager or board. But every so often, an intra-building complaint comes along inv…

What sells a condo? Is it the feel of the space, the light, or the layout? Is it the price alone? Or something else entirely? Maybe a feeling of ‘hominess’ that calls out to the buyer: this is where you belong! Or perhaps it’s all three, or a combination of these and many more factors. Across the board, brokers agree that there is a certain intangible reaction a buyer has when they find the right…

Among the keys to successful governance of residential communities is continuity. The most basic of democratically elected units, co-op, condo, and HOA boards are the custodians of their community’s welfare, success, and continued operation. Over time, the experience and insight accrued by board members, directors, or trustees are the compass and rudder that steer and stabilize the community. …

2023-03-08T00:00:00-05:00 2023-03-08T00:00:00-05:00 Cooper Smith © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/hiring-building-staff-professionals Hiring Building Staff & Professionals

It’s been said that it takes a village to raise a child. It can take nearly that much to run a multifamily building as well, even a small one. Residential communities require the services of a wide array of employees and professionals, ranging from those who physically keep the building running (supers, handymen), to security people (doormen, and in some cases guards), to off-site professionals (a…

In many ways condo, co-op, and HOA living represents the most basic form of representative democracy. Like the ancient Athenians, we gather periodically to elect a small group from among us to represent our joint interests and to oversee the finances and well-being of the community. Ah, now, if only it were that simple. Governing Law, Governing Docs Where does the authority of the board come …

2023-03-08T00:00:00-05:00 2023-03-08T00:00:00-05:00 Cooper Smith © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/2022-ch-expo-seminar-boards-most-common-financial-mistakes-how-to-avoid-them 2022 CH Expo Seminar: Boards' Most Common Financial Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Community association board members are usually volunteers - and most are not financial experts or accounting professionals. Even with the best of intentions, this lack of experience can lead to some common - and costly - mistakes. This panel of experts will offer tips on how to head off these missteps, protect your community’s financial health and stability, and get back on course if you stumble.…

2022-10-21T00:00:00-04:00 2022-10-21T00:00:00-04:00 Cooperator Studio © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/2022-ch-expo-seminar-sticker-shock---inflation-and-its-impact-on-your-association 2022 CH Expo Seminar: Sticker Shock - Inflation and its Impact on Your Association

Like everyone else, condos and HOAs are struggling with high inflation. Costs for everything from regular maintenance, repairs, and supplies to interest rates and borrowing for capital projects are up, as are labor and management costs. Residents are feeling the squeeze from increased dues and special assessments. This panel will discuss these factors, and offer expert tips on how boards and manag…

2022-10-21T00:00:00-04:00 2022-10-21T00:00:00-04:00 Cooperator Studio © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/2022-ch-expo-seminar-reserve-funding-options 2022 CH Expo Seminar: Reserve Funding Options

The funding recommendations of reserve studies can be a daunting amount at times. While everyone seems to dread the need to increase reserve contributions, we’ll look at what options exist for Associations to cover these needs. Specifically, we’ll discuss simply increasing the annual reserve contribution amount, passing a special assessment, or utilizing a bank loan. We’ll explore the pros and con…

2022-10-21T00:00:00-04:00 2022-10-21T00:00:00-04:00 Cooperator Studio © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/2022-ch-expo-seminar-ev-charging-in-your-community 2022 CH Expo Seminar: EV Charging in Your Community

With over 100 new EV models announced by auto manufacturers, there has never been a better time for car owners to start planning to go electric. Samantha Bingham, Clean Transportation Program Director and Coordinator of the Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition will provide an overview of the EV landscape in Chicago, current and upcoming EV charging stations incentives, and reasons why building owne…

2022-10-21T00:00:00-04:00 2022-10-21T00:00:00-04:00 Cooperator Studio © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/2022-ch-seminar-conflict-management-in-divisive-times 2022 CH Seminar: Conflict Management in Divisive Times

Adjust the focus of past (very popular) seminars on the topic to include defusing tension and hostility at meetings, the impact (for good and ill) of social media, including platforms like Nextdoor (for neighbors) and Yelp (for management), what constitutes ‘harassment’ and how to deal with antagonistic residents. Discuss practical methods for maintaining order and decorum at meetings, ‘talking do…

Q. If there is an election of a condo board and three people run for two open seats, when the election is over and the seats are filled, if now one of those board members resigns, does the third person who received some votes then fill that position? Or does the board have the right to appoint someone else on their own? —Wondering A. “In Illinois,…

2022-09-30T00:00:00-04:00 2022-09-30T00:00:00-04:00 Mark A. Rosen © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/the-cooperator-expo-is-coming-to-navy-pier---thursday-october-13th The Cooperator Expo is Coming to Navy Pier - Thursday, October 13th!

Mark your calendar and get ready - The Cooperator Expo Chicagoland returns to Navy Pier on Thursday, October 13th from 10am to 4:30pm! Register for free at https://ilexpo.com/ If you’ve attended the show, you know what a rich resource it is for managers, board members, condo and HOA residents, and professionals from all across the multifamily residential industry - and if this will be your fir…

Q. We live in a 200-unit condo. The building changes the filters in the convectors twice a year, but decided not to change them due to COVID. It’s now been over a year since they were changed, and if we turn on the heat, dust and mold pours out into our units. We asked the building to please clean out the convectors so we can use the heat, but they refused, again citing the pandemic. Do we have …

Q. I am a resident owner in a 54-unit condominium association building on the far northwest side of Chicago. I write on behalf of a unit owner friend in the same building, who has been the resident owner since 2005. Her unit is on the second floor. She works full time and lives there with her daughter. The young couple residents living in the third-floor unit above her have two small children, a…

Even before the pandemic and social unrest of the last few years, interpersonal conflict and even outright hostility were challenges that every board and manager in a co-op or condo would eventually have to deal with. Whether the result of legitimate grievances or something less rational, disputes between residents, residents and the board, or residents and management must be addressed promptly …

I am often asked by the board members and property managers of my condominium and community association clients to attend open board meetings. I enjoy attending open board meetings because they provide an opportunity to observe how these associations function. That is, they allow me to watch firsthand as my clients discuss and conduct board business in front of the owners. Even better, they allow …

While the goal of any HOA board meeting is to determine the rules, regulations and property updates that best serve the interests of all the residents of a community, these meetings are often viewed as boring, long winded, and sometimes divisive. This can mean that little gets accomplished, despite the best efforts of the board and management. The proverbial can is kicked down the road, until the …

After two years of disruption, isolation, and loss, it appears that the pandemic is finally on the wane. And while the ultimate psychosocial and physical impact of the pandemic remains far-reaching and to a great extent unknown, everyone has long been eager to return to a sense of normalcy. This includes condo and HOA residents of course; according to management companies and boards, vaxxed-and-bo…

2022-09-28T00:00:00-04:00 2022-09-28T00:00:00-04:00 W.B. King © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/financial-physical-operational-health-2 Financial, Physical, & Operational Health

In early 2020, our firm was hired to prepare a reserve study for an unremarkable 136-unit, 12-story condominium in south Florida. It was the kind of association you could drive right by without noticing, not much different from all the other high-rise buildings in this coastal neighborhood. During the site inspection, we discovered some noticeably severe deterioration in the 39-year-old building…

In our current environment of steeply rising costs, it’s more important than ever to safeguard your reserves to ensure that your association has sufficient funds available for immediate and future capital projects. Unfortunately, many association boards do not understand how to properly implement these safeguards, which leaves them in the position of struggling to fund important projects this year…

2022-09-28T00:00:00-04:00 2022-09-28T00:00:00-04:00 Steven Silberman © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/multifamily-garbage-collection-handling-disposal Multifamily Garbage Collection, Handling, & Disposal

Where there are people, there is detritus. It’s an age-old reality—so much so that even the remains of our ancient trash are often the basis upon which archeologists develop theories about vanished civilizations. While we can’t say what future archeologists will say about our buried trash, one thing is abundantly clear right now: in a world beset with the multifront challenges of climate change, i…

We hear about them all the time. Whole movies are made about them. Those nosey, controlling, downright hostile neighbors who can make your life miserable. Having one down the hall or next door is bad enough—imagine what happens when they end up on your co-op or condo board. What is a ‘Toxic’ Board or Board Member? “In my experience,” says Andy Marks, former president of his co-op board and sen…

2022-09-28T00:00:00-04:00 2022-09-28T00:00:00-04:00 A.J. Sidransky © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/the-extent-and-limits-of-board-powers The Extent—and Limits—of Board Powers

Buying into a residential community like a co-op, condominium, or HOA can be a bit like selecting the political system you’d like to live under. Governance styles can range from an Athenian democracy where every member of the community is involved in decision making, to downright dictatorship wherein the board does whatever it wants with little or no regard for the community’s wishes. Most often t…

With the focus on climate change and how to fight it constantly sharpening, residential communities are seeking ways to reduce their contribution to the problem, commonly known as their carbon footprint. Carbon reduction is necessary both to meet state and local laws and regulations and to control expenses on a long-term basis. One useful tool for both these aims is a carbon study. What is a Carb…

2022-09-15T00:00:00-04:00 2022-09-15T00:00:00-04:00 A.J. Sidransky © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/financial-physical-operational-health Financial, Physical, & Operational Health

2022-09-08T00:00:00-04:00 2022-09-08T00:00:00-04:00 Robert Nordlund, PE, RS © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/cooperator-events-chicagoland-expo---thursday-october-13th-at-navy-pier Cooperator Events Chicagoland Expo - Thursday, October 13th at Navy Pier

Whether you’re a manager or a board member, running a condo, HOA, or co-op has never been an easy job. There’s always a capital project to fund, a contractor to hire, a dispute to resolve, a leak to repair...the list can feel endless. Add to all that concerns about rising costs, supply chain issues, and other challenges…it can be quite a ride. That’s why CooperatorEvents is so excited to be ba…

2022-09-08T00:00:00-04:00 2022-09-08T00:00:00-04:00 Cooper Smith © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/collecting-delinquent-common-charges Collecting Delinquent Common Charges

A recent article on a real estate website posed a common question: What’s the best way for a condo board to collect unpaid common charges? The author of the article - presumably an attorney - gave some pretty good advice…and some not so good advice. The first piece of advice was that the condo board ‘be proactive’ - and that part is spot-on. But the question remains; what does ‘proactive’ look…

2022-08-25T00:00:00-04:00 2022-08-25T00:00:00-04:00 Benjamin Altshul © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/real-estate-cryptocurrency-taxes-2 Real Estate, Cryptocurrency, & Taxes

So much of what we do and own these days is defined—often redefined—by technology, including our assets. Cryptocurrency is a prime example. While not really ‘money’ in the traditional sense of dollars or pounds or euros, and in no way similar to equity shares we call stock, ‘crypto’ has become increasingly popular as an asset. Depending who you ask, cryptocurrency is either the future, or a passin…

2022-08-25T00:00:00-04:00 2022-08-25T00:00:00-04:00 A.J. Sidransky © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/the-impact-of-litigation-in-co-ops-condos The Impact of Litigation in Co-ops & Condos

Americans are a particularly litigious lot, believing as many of us do that we are endowed with the inalienable right to life, liberty…and the pursuit of recompense for any slight or wrong done to us, real or perceived. This tendency is unfortunately common in the nation’s co-ops, condos, and HOAs, where the ideals of communal living and shared ownership sometimes get overshadowed by grievance and…

At the heart of co-op and condo living is the association or corporation board, that unique self-governing body that directs the community and carries out its mission to uphold quality of life and preserve the investment of its members. Board service is almost universally voluntary, and does not require any specific experience. It’s a learn-on-the-job situation. Given that, and given that board …

The 347,000 planned communities in the United States—a number that includes cooperatives, condominiums, and homeowners associations—are generally governed by volunteer members of the building or community elected by their fellow unit owners or shareholders. There are no requirements or prerequisites for serving on a board, other than what might be specified in the governing documents of a particul…

2022-08-25T00:00:00-04:00 2022-08-25T00:00:00-04:00 Darcey Gerstein © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/insurance-in-the-multifamily-setting Insurance in the Multifamily Setting

Insurance coverage and the inevitable claims that coverage defends against are a fact of life for multifamily residential communities. In that setting, it’s critical for all parties to understand whose policy covers what, and under what circumstances. A good starting point is to view liability and claims from the perspective of that unique factor for condo and co-op living: shared common areas ver…

2022-08-25T00:00:00-04:00 2022-08-25T00:00:00-04:00 A.J. Sidransky © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/atlanta-condo-manager-killed-by-disgruntled-resident Atlanta Condo Manager Killed by ‘Disgruntled’ Resident

The job of managing a multifamily property is hectic, and often stressful - but it’s rarely (and blessedly) ever deadly. A tragic exception to that unfolded on August 22 in Atlanta, Georgia, when according to local news outlets a local condo manager and an accounting firm employee were shot and killed by a disgruntled condo resident and former employee of the firm. A building engineer was also sho…

Prior to the 1980s, the majority of New York City apartment buildings were rentals, owned by landlords. Then, in the 1980s, many landlords realized that it would be more financially advantageous for them to sell their buildings to the tenants who called them home. Tenant groups were formed, and often were able to negotiate a favorable price for the building. This allowed rental buildings to be con…

When the mercury hits 95, the last thing most people have on their mind is a major snowstorm, and how it might affect their building’s entry vestibule, lobby, and other high-traffic common areas. Be as that may, summer is actually the time to turn to your building’s winter needs. It’s the best time to inspect, upgrade, and replace your winterization equipment as necessary. Just as they do for smok…

2022-07-21T00:00:00-04:00 2022-07-21T00:00:00-04:00 A.J. Sidransky © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/condos-co-ops-townhomes-vs-single-family Condos, Co-ops, & Townhomes vs. Single-Family

A recent analysis by Realtor.com shows that in an increasingly competitive housing market, condos, co-ops, and attached townhouses offer an affordable alternative to comparable single-family homes, especially in high-density, high-cost markets. The outlet looked at state and county-level sales data for the New York City, Boston, Chicago, and Seattle metro areas, as well as the states of New …

Brokers have a standard modus operandi when selling apartments: Depersonalize the property, stage it, and disappear. Take down family photos, stow the artwork, clear out excess furniture and the clutter of everyday life. And most importantly, make yourself scarce. A seller never meets the buyer. Why all the editing? Prospective buyers need to picture themselves and their families in the space - a…

Q. I live in a condo where there are quiet hours after 9 p.m., and all disturbing noise no matter the time can result in a fine. Two months after I moved in, the downstairs neighbor moved in. It’s been a nightmare ever since. Banging, screaming, fights, rude guests who loiter and scream in front of the building. Three months after he moved in, I finally complained to the association. Upon receiv…

Q. Five years ago, an owner who was on the board for a year and was newly in charge of maintenance had his own new patio removed and hired our usual contractor to pour a new, larger patio—which of course meant using common element property. Our lawyer had advised him and the board the year before that this could be done only with permission of the board and an official 99-year lease that needed …

2022-05-19T00:00:00-04:00 2022-05-19T00:00:00-04:00 James Stevens © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/mental-health-issues-in-multifamily-communities Mental Health Issues in Multifamily Communities

Running a community association requires boards and managers to work with people from all walks of life, including those who have unique experiences, wants, needs, and challenges. That requirement also includes residents living with behavioral or mental health issues—and thanks to the pandemic and all the chaos and upheaval that came with it, more people than ever fit that description. In some cas…

There’s a riddle in a popular children’s book that asks, ‘What’s the largest room in the world?’ After much consideration and many incorrect guesses, one of the characters in the book has the answer: “Why, the largest room in the world is room for improvement!” If you’ve lived in a multifamily community for any amount of time, it’s hard to argue with that statement. A residential building or comp…

It’s that time of year again. Birds are chirping; trees are blooming; property managers and co-op and condo boards are addressing their task lists for the change of seasons. Whether it’s a Wrigleyville walk-up or a Streeterville supertall, a dense city development or a sprawling suburban complex, a building up north still shoveling snow or a southern community whose pool is open year-round, spring…

First-time buyers in condo associations, co-ops, and other multifamily residential communities are often surprised—and a bit confused—by the way in which their new building or HOA operates. Whether they are coming from a rental background or a single-family home experience, condo/co-op living, and its administrative and governance structure, differs dramatically from both. In a condo, you can’t de…

2022-05-19T00:00:00-04:00 2022-05-19T00:00:00-04:00 A.J. Sidransky © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/cai-public-policy-report-condo-safety-2 CAI Public Policy Report: Condo Safety

Following the tragic partial collapse of Champlain Tower South in Surfside, Florida in June 2021, the Community Associations Institute (CAI) convened a trio of task forces to explore laws and best practices for the community association housing model, and propose changes that could provide solutions for legislators looking to address building safety in their districts, as well as help other mu…

2022-05-19T00:00:00-04:00 2022-05-19T00:00:00-04:00 Cooper Smith © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/the-champlain-towers-south-collapse-reconstructed The Champlain Towers South Collapse, Reconstructed

As both a writer about and resident of high-rise residential buildings, I followed the June 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium with a hawk’s eye. I read about the people who perished and the loved ones left to carry on; the heroes of the rescue and recovery efforts, and the predators seeking to profit from the tragedy; the building’s history and the series of errors, avoidance…

2022-05-18T00:00:00-04:00 2022-05-18T00:00:00-04:00 Darcey Gerstein © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/the-best-and-worst-neighbors-in-america The Best (and Worst) Neighbors in America

The results of a recent study conducted by digital real estate marketplace HomeAdvisor reveal that Americans relate to and interact with their neighbors very differently today than in decades past. According to the company’s report based on its findings, “In the 1970s, more than two in five people said they spent at least one social evening a month with a neighbor. However, as the world has …

2022-04-21T00:00:00-04:00 2022-04-21T00:00:00-04:00 Cooper Smith © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/russian-sanctions-new-york-real-estate Russian Sanctions, US Real Estate

The continuing war in Ukraine and the accompanying sanctions imposed by the US, EU, and their allies reach into our own backyard. Many Russian oligarchs own luxury apartments and other real estate in New York, Chicago, and elsewhere in the United States. What is the practical reality of those sanctions for co-op and condominium communities? Seizures & Sales Can the government confiscate someone’…

2022-03-24T00:00:00-04:00 2022-03-24T00:00:00-04:00 A.J. Sidransky © 2023 - Yale Robbins, Inc. https://chicago.cooperatornews.com/article/real-estate-cryptocurrency-taxes Real Estate, Cryptocurrency, & Taxes

Depending who you ask in the world of finance, cryptocurrency is either the future, or a passing fad. Either way, even still in its infancy, ‘crypto’ is attracting more and more investors - especially among younger millennials and gen-z internet natives - and its applications are expanding. As mentioned in the previous article in this series, that expansion even includes some inroads into the worl…

There are elements of board service that can vex even the most committed, most intrepid volunteer—and negotiating a building’s management contract is probably at the top of that list. Vexing or not, however, the extent and quality of services available to your building community hinge on what’s in that contract; managers and management companies are obligated to provide what’s agreed upon in it—no…