Keep in mind that I make a comment as someone who never lived in an apartment and never interacted with a super - but wouldn't it make sense to first chat with the super about the topic? I could envision thanking him for his help, and explaining that it seems unclear, and asking him whether he would mind if I sought clarity from the manager. I don't know how things work in NYC, but going over someone's head is guaranteed to cause a rift where I come from.
2
It's not going over his head. It's the co-op's responsibility to fix, whether or not the super is able to fix it, even if one asks the super to fix it first. If you ask the super, tip, tip, tip like the others mention here. In a non-doorman building, a good super who accepts packages and helps you out with the little things when needed is pure gold.
2
NoCaSoCa -
North of Canal. South of Canada.
North of Canal. South of Canada.
5
Is that the Erie canal or Canal Street?
2
I can't believe Kaysen didn't use the 'How I Met Your Mother' episode as an example of how realtors try to sell properties by a faux neighborhood name. the show used 'Dowisetrepla' or "downwind of the sewage treatment plant".
4
I thought the same thing.
ReBeCha?
Jeez, it's just called the Financial District.
It's not even a rectangle!
Jeez, it's just called the Financial District.
It's not even a rectangle!
3
and tip the super. At least $20 but maybe give him the $50. Having the super on your side makes everything better in a coop building. You will get whatever you need.
3
Agree 100%. I'm a long time tenant in a building that's over a century old. The staff here don't expect tips - but I can tell you, they do appreciate them.
In an old building like this, it's the staff's constant maintenance & repair work that keeps it habitable. Having them on your side truly does make all the difference - in fact, it's critical. And btw, it's not only about tips - it's also an attitude of appreciation for what they do.
In an old building like this, it's the staff's constant maintenance & repair work that keeps it habitable. Having them on your side truly does make all the difference - in fact, it's critical. And btw, it's not only about tips - it's also an attitude of appreciation for what they do.
3
Regarding the super who snaked the pipes - it sounds like he's putting you on notice that the way to motivate him is through tips. You might check with other owners to see if this is so. If it is, you should notify the board, which has the relationships with the managing agent who most likely employs the super to let them know you need a new one.
11
In my long experience, ALL building staff are motivated by tips. In this case, though, the super made it clear that he EXPECTS payment - or the owner can expect delayed or no response.
He sounds like a bad apple, but unless several shareholders complain, it's unlikely he'll get fired anytime soon - in which case, you'll just end up alienating him - which will make things worse. When you get to know some of your fellow residents, see how they feel about him.
But usually, generous tips make all the difference - and parting with $20 here & there is easier and more effective than a battle. I agree with BD below - having the super on your side makes everything better - and that goes for renters, too.
He sounds like a bad apple, but unless several shareholders complain, it's unlikely he'll get fired anytime soon - in which case, you'll just end up alienating him - which will make things worse. When you get to know some of your fellow residents, see how they feel about him.
But usually, generous tips make all the difference - and parting with $20 here & there is easier and more effective than a battle. I agree with BD below - having the super on your side makes everything better - and that goes for renters, too.
2
The conflict question raised from SoHo about the co-op board member representing a unit seller as a lawyer is not only a bad idea and potentially unethical, it could involve the lawyer in a violation of the state's securities fraud law should he know of material adverse information, yet proceed with a sale to an unknowing buyer.
8
A seller's attorney tends to deal more with the buyer's attorney than the co-op. Of course, the attorney should not participate in any board consideration of a applicant represented by him/her. Also, it best that people not have a feeling that if you hire this attorney, your buyer is more likely to be accepted. Generally, basing acceptance on the credit report eliminates suspicions of favoritism. Our financial requirements are stated on the front of the application. Rejecting an applicant after an interview can lead to discrimination charges. There are many middle class co-ops in the city where the issue of social standing does not arise in sales.
Some co-ops, especially conversions with absentee owners, nickel and dime tenants with charges for each service of the super. In my co-op, repairs are free unless due to damage caused by tenants. There is a tendency for people to put off repairs for which they have pay. This can result in additional damage to the building.
Some co-ops, especially conversions with absentee owners, nickel and dime tenants with charges for each service of the super. In my co-op, repairs are free unless due to damage caused by tenants. There is a tendency for people to put off repairs for which they have pay. This can result in additional damage to the building.
1
I lived on Nassau Street, between Beekman and Spruce, from January 1981 until December 2013. The hospital was visible from our windows (overlooking its parking lot, always full of hair-trigger-alarmed cars); the firehouse on Beekman answered many calls. And of course we were within earshot of Broadway.
What does the first letter writer mean, "poised for a residential boom"? The conversions started in the late 1970s, and the building of new residential towers started in earnest more than 10 years ago; it's one reason I moved.
Many years ago, the local newspaper ("Downtown Express" or its predecessor) ran a contest asking readers to name the neighborhood. I submitted DONTCHA (DOwn Near The City Hall Area) with something like the following explanation:
DONTCHA try to park here; there are almost no street spaces.
DONTCHA make so much noise; we already have the hospital and fire station.
and
DONTCHA try to give my neighborhood a cute, "catchy" real estate name just to sell it.
If you find the related articles, you'll learn that many parts of the area had their own names, some dating back to colonial or Revolutionary War times.
What does the first letter writer mean, "poised for a residential boom"? The conversions started in the late 1970s, and the building of new residential towers started in earnest more than 10 years ago; it's one reason I moved.
Many years ago, the local newspaper ("Downtown Express" or its predecessor) ran a contest asking readers to name the neighborhood. I submitted DONTCHA (DOwn Near The City Hall Area) with something like the following explanation:
DONTCHA try to park here; there are almost no street spaces.
DONTCHA make so much noise; we already have the hospital and fire station.
and
DONTCHA try to give my neighborhood a cute, "catchy" real estate name just to sell it.
If you find the related articles, you'll learn that many parts of the area had their own names, some dating back to colonial or Revolutionary War times.
16
According to my friend, Andy Aaron, we could benefit from a more inclusive neighborhood moniker: NoNeHo (know-knee-ho.) Nowhere Near Houston.
7
Really? On what planet?
Google "downtown" "uptown" and "midtown" and "cool"
Downtown = 127 million hits
Uptown = 11.8 million
Midtown = 24.6 million