Owners of residential apartment buildings in New York City have certain landlord responsibilities for maintenance and safety. Many of these responsibilities are outlined in multiple codes and laws, including the New York City Housing Maintenance Code (HMC) and New York…
Man’s best friend doesn’t always act so friendly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the U.S. More than half of dog bite victims are children,…
The summer months often conjure thoughts of picnics, sporting events, and lazy days at the beach. But the warm weather also brings more roaches and rodents, the most common unwanted inhabitants in New York City buildings, indoors. Many people,…
Good intentions aren’t enough to protect building associations and their boards of directors from legal claims. Directors and officers (D&O) liability insurance is essential for protecting the association and board members from lawsuits that result from actions or decisions made while serving.…
While no one likes to think about lawsuits (except for perhaps litigation attorneys), they are a fact of life—one that association boards and property managers need to prepare for with directors and officers (D&O) liability insurance. Previous articles have addressed how…
To help protect New Yorkers, the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) requires landlords to post and distribute certain fire safety and emergency preparedness documents. The requirements apply to multiple dwellings in New York City, those with 3 or more…
Landlords in New York City have specific responsibilities for protecting tenants from lead paint hazards. Local Law 1 of 2004, also known as the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act, outlines these requirements, which apply to multiple dwelling units that were…
Illegal basement apartments are among the most common infractions here in New York. Based on our site traffic, many building owners and tenants have questions about the legality of basement apartments. Following are frequently asked questions concerning these subterranean spaces.…
The best way to save money on insurance is to lower your risk profile and avoid claims. In addition to the practices covered in our article on building a property profile, these safety tips can help managers of apartment, co-op…
The sidewalks around your building may belong to New York City. But the responsibility for maintenance and sidewalk liability belong to you. In fact, underwriters report that sidewalk-related injuries are the leading liability claim against New York City landlords. We’ve…