Improve

The Flat Tip Bill, plus 7 other apartment laws we'd like to see

By Alana Mayman  | May 10, 2011 - 10:58AM
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Yes, we know all about the two co-op bills before the NYC council: One would force boards to accept or reject buyers within 45 days, and another demands that turndowns come with an explanation. That's all well and good, but may we suggest some additional legislation.... 

  1. The Flat Tip Bill - Standardizes holiday tipping by requiring co-op boards to set a per-share holiday tipping amount that varies by staff member (e.g, the super gets .50 cents x number of shares owned by a resident). 
  2. Honest Alteration Agreement bill - No special treatment for board members, and any 'wet-over-dry' hestiation needs to be stated explicitly, not implied.
  3. Smile in the Elevator Bill - We live in the same goddamn building, enough with the farbissina punim. 
  4. Co-op C-Span - Live video feed of all co-op board meetings. Issues with transparency solved.
  5. No Free Advice Bill - Just because there are doctors, lawyers, decorators and therapists in your building doesn't mean you don't have to make an appointment like everyone else.
  6. No Neighbors Left Behind Bill - A 10% surcharge on renovations over $250k distributed among adjacent neighbors for cosmetic improvements to their own apartments.
  7. Give Me a Break Outdoor Space Bill - In buildings without common outdoor space, owners with private terraces or backyards must host an annual barbecue for neighbors in the visual or olfactory proximity.
  8. Bike Room Hog Bill - If a bike hasn't been used within the past year, the space goes to the next person on the waiting list, or the bike becomes community property available for use by any resident.

(Observer.com)

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Founder and publisher Teri Karush Rogers launched Brick Underground in 2009. As a freelance journalist, she had previously covered New York City real estate for The New York Times. Teri has been featured as an expert on New York City residential real estate by The New York Times, New York Daily News, amNew York, NBC Nightly News, The Real Deal, Business Insider, the Huffington Post, and NY1 News, among others. Teri earned a BA in journalism and a law degree from New York University.

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