GDB Law Practical Guides: For Condo Owners & Co-op Shareholders

The attorneys in Gallet Dreyer & Berkey, LLP's Cooperative, Condominium and Homeowners Association (HOA) Law practice provide legal services to individuals in the purchase or sale of their cooperatives, condominium units and homes, as well representing them in disputes with condo, co-op and HOA boards.

While different laws may apply to owners of a condominium unit, shareholders in a cooperative or owners in an HOA, in all cases it is important to understand your rights and responsibilities as an owner or shareholder. Condos, co-ops and HOAs have different governing documents. Condos are governed by a declaration, by-laws and rules and regulations. Coops are governed by certificates of incorporation, by-laws and House Rules. HOAs are governed by deed restrictions and covenants, as well as by-laws and rules and regulations. A cooperative apartment is not a stand-alone piece of real estate – rather, tenants own shares of a corporation which leases the unit to the tenant shareholder under a proprietary lease.

A Practical Guide to Legal Issues for Condominium, Cooperative and HOA Owners

Below are a collection of articles addressing some of the legal issues facing co-op, condo and HOA owners.  

• Tax Lien Foreclosure Proceedings on the Rise

• The Problem of Second-Hand Smoke

• Short-Term (Airbnb) Rentals Are Not Only Illegal But Also Now More Costly

• Selecting the Right Methods for Dealing with Objectionable Conduct by Apartment Owners

• Short Statute of Limitations Frustrates Building Owner's Claim against Engineer for Construction Defects

• Should Cooperatives or Condominiums Permit Apartment Ownership by Trusts or LLC's?When is a Decision of a Cooperative or Condominium Board of Directors Reasonable

• When Security and Privacy Concerns Clash in Multi-Family Buildings

• When Sponsors Transfer Control of Condominiums to Unit Owners - Advice to New Board Members

See also: GDB Law's Practical Guide to Legal Issues for board members and directors and for condo and coop managers.