Legal Talk for Co-ops and Condos

Legal Talk by Habitat Magazine
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Co-op and condo board directors face a myriad of challenges they are not equipped to solve, and taking action can be a fraught experience. In this series, Habitat Magazine editors interview New York's leading co-op/condo attorneys for guidance on these challenges. Habitat, a New York City publication founded in 1982, is edited for co-op and condo board directors, property managers, and other professionals.

  1. 12/15/2025

    Why Your Next Contract Could Cost You Thousands

    Send us a text Co-op and condo boards often move too quickly when hiring contractors, which can lead to problems later on. Contractor-written proposals can lack board protections like indemnification and the ability to recover attorney's fees. Signing these inadequate contracts can leave a board trapped with a contractor doing subpar work — or just not showing up. In this episode, J. David Eldridge, partner at Taylor Eldridge & Endres, walks through how this can happen, and what it could cost your building to escape. He reveals the warning signs boards miss and why even routine renewals deserve careful scrutiny. If you've ever wondered whether spending money on legal review is worth it, Eldridge’s real-world examples make the case crystal clear. Habitat’s Paula Chin conducts the interview. The business of running a building is demanding work that requires making endless decisions — some that can quickly lead your board into a quagmire of legal difficulties. Legal Talk interviews New York's leading co-op/condo attorneys to find solutions, and get some guidance, on these challenges. For more co-op and condo insights, sign up to receive Habitat's free newsletters or become a Habitat subscriber today!

    11 min

  2. 12/01/2025

    Why Timing Means Everything in Condo Foreclosure

    Send us a text A condo board let an arrears situation drag on for years, convinced they had no chance of recovering delinquent common charges against an owner with massive tax and mortgage debts. They were wrong. Eric Goldberg, partner at Kahn & Goldberg, reveals how a stroke of luck involving a 60-day window between the board and the IRS filing liens completely changed their outcome. Goldberg shares the details. Condo foreclosures are high-stakes — and timing can mean the difference between recovering everything and losing it all. Habitat’s Paula Chin conducts the interview. The business of running a building is demanding work that requires making endless decisions — some that can quickly lead your board into a quagmire of legal difficulties. Legal Talk interviews New York's leading co-op/condo attorneys to find solutions, and get some guidance, on these challenges. For more co-op and condo insights, sign up to receive Habitat's free newsletters or become a Habitat subscriber today!

    16 min

  3. 11/17/2025

    How Your Neighbor Might Hold Your Renovation Hostage

    Send us a text When buildings need to place scaffolding on a neighbor's roof or temporarily close off a courtyard, some owners see dollar signs, while others face project-killing delays. As a result, the space between New York City buildings has become a surprisingly lucrative battleground. Dani Schwartz, partner at Offit Kurman, explains why neighboring access disputes have exploded over the past 15 years, and reveals the high-stakes negotiations happening right above your head. Schwartz walks through the delicate process of these negotiations, from the initial letter that can make or break a relationship to the courtroom showdowns that follow when talks collapse. With real examples ranging from modest rooftop access to a swimming pool standoff, this conversation exposes the hidden tensions built into New York's densely packed real estate and the creative strategies that sometimes prevent all-out war. Habitat's Paula Chin conducts the interview. The business of running a building is demanding work that requires making endless decisions — some that can quickly lead your board into a quagmire of legal difficulties. Legal Talk interviews New York's leading co-op/condo attorneys to find solutions, and get some guidance, on these challenges. For more co-op and condo insights, sign up to receive Habitat's free newsletters or become a Habitat subscriber today!

    21 min

  4. 11/03/2025

    Why the Storefront Isn’t So Simple

    Send us a text That dry cleaner or restaurant on your building's ground floor might seem like a simple revenue stream, but the dynamics behind managing commercial tenants are surprisingly complex. Christopher Tumulty, partner at Smith, Gambrell & Russell, explains the different challenges commercial tenants bring depending whether they are in a co-op or condo, and what board directors should understand about their power in each circumstance. For co-ops, in particular, boards need to be an active manager of the commercial tenant while condo boards, spared that task, must remain vigilant. Habitat’s Paula Chin conducts the interview. The business of running a building is demanding work that requires making endless decisions — some that can quickly lead your board into a quagmire of legal difficulties. Legal Talk interviews New York's leading co-op/condo attorneys to find solutions, and get some guidance, on these challenges. For more co-op and condo insights, sign up to receive Habitat's free newsletters or become a Habitat subscriber today!

    17 min

  5. 10/27/2025

    When Water Damage Goes Wrong

    Send us a text A $30,000 water leak becomes a $300,000 nightmare — all because a board waited too long to act. Ian Brandt, partner at Davidoff Hutcher & Citron, exposes the surprising traps that leave buildings with massive repair bills when disaster strikes. He reveals why insurance companies are denying claims that used to be automatic approvals, including one jaw-dropping case involving nothing more than an overflowing sink. Brandt shares real cases where boards made costly mistakes that could have been avoided and explains how a legal principle most people have never heard of creates unexpected liability. Habitat's Emily Myers conducts the interview The business of running a building is demanding work that requires making endless decisions — some that can quickly lead your board into a quagmire of legal difficulties. Legal Talk interviews New York's leading co-op/condo attorneys to find solutions, and get some guidance, on these challenges. For more co-op and condo insights, sign up to receive Habitat's free newsletters or become a Habitat subscriber today!

    16 min

  6. 10/20/2025

    From Empty Storefront to Steady Income

    Send us a text When a co-op or condo loses a commercial tenant, a cash crunch often follows. Finding a new tenant is just the beginning — the real challenge is structuring a lease that protects the building’s finances and residents. Mark Axinn, partner at Phillips Nizer, explains how to think like a professional landlord while recognizing your unique constraints. Key elements are managing rent concessions, handling broker commissions, and funding upfront renovation costs when building reserves are low. Habitat’s Carol Ott conducts the interview. The business of running a building is demanding work that requires making endless decisions — some that can quickly lead your board into a quagmire of legal difficulties. Legal Talk interviews New York's leading co-op/condo attorneys to find solutions, and get some guidance, on these challenges. For more co-op and condo insights, sign up to receive Habitat's free newsletters or become a Habitat subscriber today!

    18 min

  7. 10/13/2025

    Why Your Building's Insurance Costs Keep Skyrocketing

    Send us a text No building is ever really prepared for a contractor accident, but you can be proactive about keeping your building protected. Howard Schechter, partner at Fox Rothschild, breaks down the critical concept of risk transfer and why it could save your co-op or condo from devastating financial losses. Learn why New York's unique Scaffold Law has made insurance premiums skyrocket and discover the surprising gap between what boards think they have and what they actually need. From apartment alterations to major renovations, this episode gives you actionable strategies to ensure your building doesn't end up holding the bag when accidents happen. Habitat’s Carol Ott conducts the interview. The business of running a building is demanding work that requires making endless decisions — some that can quickly lead your board into a quagmire of legal difficulties. Legal Talk interviews New York's leading co-op/condo attorneys to find solutions, and get some guidance, on these challenges. For more co-op and condo insights, sign up to receive Habitat's free newsletters or become a Habitat subscriber today!

    24 min

  8. 09/22/2025

    Document Requests Are Rising and Your Board Needs a Plan

    Send us a text Every board dreads that moment when a shareholder demands to see corporate documents, contracts, or financial records. But ignoring the request isn't an option. Evan Gitter, partner at Cohen Warren Meyer & Gitter, breaks down the shifting landscape of transparency laws and reveals why boards without proper procedures are setting themselves up for trouble. From repeat requesters with hidden agendas, to legitimate residents seeking information, Gitter explains how smart boards protect sensitive data while staying compliant. You'll learn surprising tactics for reducing these demands and discover legal tools most boards don't know they have. If you've ever wondered where to draw the line between transparency and privacy, this conversation is essential. Habitat's Carol Ott conducts the interview.  ProSentry’s Smart Platform has alerted buildings to over 6,000 water events, saving millions in avoided damage and lowered insurance premiums. Don’t wait! Get your customized quote before budget season at info@prosentry.com or prosentry.com/contact. The business of running a building is demanding work that requires making endless decisions — some that can quickly lead your board into a quagmire of legal difficulties. Legal Talk interviews New York's leading co-op/condo attorneys to find solutions, and get some guidance, on these challenges. For more co-op and condo insights, sign up to receive Habitat's free newsletters or become a Habitat subscriber today!

    14 min
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About

Co-op and condo board directors face a myriad of challenges they are not equipped to solve, and taking action can be a fraught experience. In this series, Habitat Magazine editors interview New York's leading co-op/condo attorneys for guidance on these challenges. Habitat, a New York City publication founded in 1982, is edited for co-op and condo board directors, property managers, and other professionals.

Information

  • Creator
    Legal Talk by Habitat Magazine
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Legal Talk for Co-ops and Condos
  • Show Website
    Legal Talk for Co-ops and Condos