NYC pied-à-terre tax: What condo and co-op owners need to know

Mayor de Blasio announced in September new mandates that will force building owners to make sharp reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The new rules will oblige owners of buildings over 25,000 sq ft to meet fossil fuel caps.

When a fire at Morningside Heights Housing Corp. tragically claimed the lives of two elderly residents, FirstService Residential General Manager Jim Hayden set out to organize a town hall event to reinforce the importance of fire safety for the residents of this 980-unit cooperative.

FirstService Residential associates are committed to making a difference, every day, for the residents in our care. One of our associates took this commitment to a remarkable extreme while heading to work at the onsite management office at 626 First Avenue on September 21, 2017. Arielle Bakoss is credited with saving a woman's life when a traffic light pole suddenly came crashing down.

Have you childproofed your home yet? Safety is key to protect your infant, so childproofing your home is essential. While every parent should start preparing the home before baby is crawling and able to get into all sorts of trouble around the house, there are also steps you can take before your baby arrives to make sure your home is ready. Our checklist can help put your mind at ease and prevent at-home injuries — no matter what stage your child is entering.

Does your board and management team communicate to the renters in your community? If no, why not? In communities where renters makeup a significant portion of the residents, they are often overlooked by the people running the community.

Whether it’s during spring cleaning or a back-to-school blitz, there comes a time when you realize that you have too much stuff. Get your community together for a swap party and find a new owner for your idle items! Here’s how to organize this type of event for your whole community.

Reserve contributions are often relegated to “what’s left” status in the budget process, regularly characterized by Board members and homeowners, as a problem for future owners. We’ve been challenging this way of thinking for over 30 years, and finally, there’s proof that we hope will change the way HOA Reserve Funds are perceived – redefining them from a resented expense to a wise investment.

President of FirstService Residential Illinois, Asa Sherwood, is quoted extensively in this article by The Cooperator discussing the benefits of serving on an HOA board, how to prepare new board members for success, key components that make a strong board member, how board meetings should be appropriately operated, and the importance of committees.

Planning a family getaway? Forget asking the neighbor’s kid to feed the dog while you’re away – give yourself peace of mind and take Fido to a boarding facility. With options like daily walks, puppy playtime, special toys and treats, plush bedding and even swimming, these pet resorts make it their job to pamper your pooch so you can enjoy your holiday completely guilt-free!

While hurricanes can happen at any time, their potential to impact New York City is greatest from June to October. Every multifamily property should have a solid plan.