The New York Times “Ask Real Estate” column again features Debra J. Guzov‘s insight, this time to a West Village co-op resident who expressed frustration that the co-op’s building management shut off the building’s air conditioning, often with little warning and then for good in early September because of damage to the cooling equipment. The reader, who indicated that the co-op building has a high monthly maintenance fee, asked if a new management company could be hired.
In the article “Should We Oust Our Co-op Managing Agent and Find Another?” Guzov answers, “There needs to be transparency on the part of the co-op board and the managing agent as to why there was spotty service throughout the summer. If there is a problem, the board has a duty to the shareholders to address that problem.” It may also be possible that the building lacks enough money to make the necessary repairs.
Guzov added, “Ultimately, a lot of these issues do relate to maintenance, and there are budgetary concerns.” As reporter Jill Terreri Ramos explains, the managing agent is hired by the co-op’s board of directors and typically assigns an account representative to carry out the co-op’s business at the direction of the board. [The] managing agent should bring in an engineer or reputable heating-and-cooling company to inspect the air-conditioning equipment and identify the problem.
Guzov works with co-op boards, owners and managing agents in hundreds of buildings throughout New York City. If you are facing an issue regarding repairs and maintenance, contact Guzov LLC for a consultation.
Read “Should We Oust Our Co-op Managing Agent and Find Another?” here.