Case Notes in

Repairs

First published: Oct 2007
Joan Messner v. 112 East 83rd Tenants Corp.

This situation happens fairly frequently in Manhattan. An apartment is purchased with an existing greenhouse, which was not part of the original building construction. Somehow the purchaser fails to learn for some time, at least until there are leaks, that this structure is one for which the co-op has no responsibility to repair. Then, a dispute with the co-op ensues over the repair responsibility. In most cases, as here, the co-op will prevail, but there are extenuating circumstances in some cases. The best solution would be for the co-op to explain the repair responsibility to the purchaser at closing, making sure to obtain an acknowledgement at that time from the purchaser that the co-op has no such repair responsibility.

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First published: Apr 2004
Robert Fleisig v. 75 East End Owners Inc.

This is one of a long line of co-op cases establishing the principle that where there are building repairs to be done by the co-op, the co-op determines the scope of such repairs, including the nature and extent, even if an affected shareholder prefers a different methodology or aesthetic.

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First published: Oct 2003
157 East 57th Street LLC v. Birrenbach

Although this case did not actually involve either a cooperative or condominium building, it might have and the issues would not be different. This case deals with one of the newest and hottest topics in real estate management. Mold, although arguably a less serious a hazard to most people than asbestos or lead paint, is the latest environmental hazard to receive considerable attention. Moreover, for people with severe allergies or asthma it can be a serious, even life- threatening matter. While mold has existed for centuries, there is a new awareness that water conditions in a residential building must be remediated promptly after occurrence so as to eliminate and prevent the development of mold. This requires well-managed co-op and condo buildings to establish operations and maintenance programs to deal with water conditions before they become mold problems.

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