Hi, my name is Andrew Welchek. I’m a partner with the law firm of Cohen, Hochman, and Allen. I represent commercial property owners in New York City. That is individuals and businesses who own land and buildings in New York City and have problems. They need to close a deal, resolve a dispute, otherwise deal with prospering with their property. If you’re a property owner in New York City you’re going to have problems; you can come to me and I can help.
If you think your coop board has done you wrong, watch the clock. You might have only four months to sue. See for example the decision of the Appellate Division First Dept. in Musey v. 425 East 86 Apts. Corp. Continue reading
Some people seem to make a hobby of tormenting their neighbors with baseless lawsuits. The worst offenders are often people who do it without lawyers—or even worse, are lawyers representing themselves. Continue reading
When you have a problem with the Board of your condominium or coop, you want a lawyer who can read — and understand — the rules governing the Board. For a condominium, the rules are in the recorded declaration of condominium and by-laws, which must comply with the New York Condominium Act. For a cooperative, the rules are in the corporation by-laws and the proprietary lease with each shareholder/apartment owner, which must comply with the New York Business Corporation Law. Continue reading
What if my condo Board tells me I have to design new windows for the entire building?
They can’t really do that, can they?
Well, it happened to a client of mine. Here’s what we did. Continue reading
There’s nothing wrong with your managing agent except that the business is so tough.
Think about it. Board members for condos & coops are amateurs mostly and under pressure from their fellow apartment owners to save money. They know how much they are paying their managing agent, but they can’t really judge the service they’re getting. Continue reading
Maybe you don’t have problems with your Board. Maybe you’re lucky. But then you are in the minority. Almost everyone who owns an apartment in NYC or knows someone who owns an apartment in NYC — meaning pretty much everyone in NYC — has problems with their Board or has heard about such problems. Continue reading
You own the building. Your lease might say that the store tenant has to pay for everything, including handicapped access. But the Americans with Disabilities Act makes both of you responsible and leaves it to the two of you to sort out the cost between yourselves. That’s why you have a lease, among other reasons. Continue reading
He can’t do that, can he? Well, yes he can sometimes, although never permanently. But the good news is, he has to pay you and probably your lawyer too. Continue reading
From the desk of Andrew Weltchek 