Our Condo Board President is a HORROR!!! Residents are afraid not to vote for him. The residents and the staff are terrified of him. There is retribution against anyone who does not vote for him. Although the ballots are suppose to be private,this Board President has access to them. He also has access to the names and addresses of out of state residents, which is a disadvantage to those trying to run for the board, as he is the only one who can contact those part time residents for proxy's. Does anyone have any advice? The good people are all moving out rather than living with the vengence of this Board President. We think he also gets money under the table from various vendors and professionals who do work for the building. Is there any outlet in the city who can help us?

I would recommend reading the nyc co-op bible.

http://www.amazon.com/New-York-Co-op-Bible-Everything/dp/0312340753

It gives great advice on how to deal with these types of issues, and who you can contact to help with them. It also discusses condos but not as much. At least it sounds like great advice to me. Googlebooks used to have a pretty good free preview of the book.

You have to unite & vote him out/remove his power. How can you expect "an outlet" in the city to help you when you won't stand up for yourselves? This isn't a kindergarten bully... you're all adults.

The board counts it's own votes? Sounds like the building needs to stand up and take advantag of it's rights under its bylaws.

The Board pretends that they don't count their own votes. They ask for volunteers who are residents. They choose those who are loyal to this board. This board does not allow anyone else other than themselves to campaign in the building. They threaten to fine those who try to campaign and have even lowered themselves to physical violence.

none of this really makes sense, sorry. They can't legally fine someone for running for the board so who cares if they threaten? If someone is assaulted, you call the police & press charges. These people have no reason to change their behavior if it's working, so the opposition is going to have to be big boys and girls. Are you sure YOU aren't the problem?

The National Organization of Women, The Voting Group, Honest Ballot Association and other organizations are often employed to ensure an unbiased and fair election.

Um, it's a CONDO BOARD. They have about as much power as a PTA.

report abuse Um, it's a CONDO BOARD. They have about as much power as a PTA.

not true, They have the full powers granted them under the by-laws, NYS Condo act, etc
The officers are similar to the officers of a corporation. but the condo owners have rights as well.

And what "powers" would those be?

borrow money, spend money, set building policies, levy fees. check your by-laws.

they also determine condo charges. is this a serious question?

I'm in a co-op. We have REAL powers -- not just deciding what color you can paint your front door.

This is a more common story than you think. There are bullies everywhere who thrive on power, conflict and, revenge. They generally have high functioning behaviors with spectuacular personality disorders. They are not to be underestimated. Prepare to be motivated to take them on.

not too many differences, not being a coop expert the big difference I'm aware of is power to approve buyers.

i'm sure there are board members who don't have the best motives, but the vast majority really do want to do right.

dragonfly
about 2 hours ago
none of this really makes sense, sorry. They can't legally fine someone for running for the board so who cares if they threaten? If someone is assaulted, you call the police & press charges. These people have no reason to change their behavior if it's working, so the opposition is going to have to be big boys and girls. Are you sure YOU aren't the problem?

Thank you Dragonfly. You are right, maybe the issue is that we are all being pansies and not standing up to a bully. The Board didn't say they would fine us for running for the board, they threatened to fine us for giving out flyers.

This thread is now officially famous;

http://curbed.com/

Aahhh..The joys of co-ownership

YEA, Easy Street and Curbed talk to each other. These things typically just do not happen.

so pathetic.

We bought in a condo hoping to avoid the usual problems of a co-op. Can you imagine that the staff are afraid to say hello to residents who were not supportive of this board, for fear of retribution or loss of their job? The atmosphere is horrible and yet many of us will loose a lot of money by trying to sell right now. The police have been sent to the building more than once because of issues with the Condo Board and their bullying practices. The State Attorney's office has also been asked to help with the abuse but unfortunately they do not have jurisdiction.

call the post--theyll run with this if it's true, and youll get some satisfaction watching the bully and minions dance like mofos

"The police have been sent to the building more than once because of issues with the Condo Board and their bullying practices. "

Seriously??

How is this a police matter?

call the post

Fox owns the post.

I remember reading about these types of problems when I lived in Southern California & a bad board, whether co-op or condo, CAN be a horror. It seems to me that there was some recourse, perhaps a local governmental agency or the DA, but I don't recall. Perhaps an attorney would know? Your city representative? Hopefully you can get some info here. Good luck!

what's the address?

I would hurt myself by divulging this right now as I have my apt up for sale. I can tell you that the story of this BULLY BOARD is something like you have never heard before. It is frightening to think we live in a big metropolis where something like this can go on.

sorry...didnt realize you were trying to sell..good luck

luce, unfortunately the remdies would probably take too long, you would need to get a majority fo the building to call a meeting to remove the board. not an easy task.

If you feel that they're doing something that is overtly illegal then you should talk to a lawyer or whatever city or state agency has jurisdiction. You have rights under city laws which are not written into the condo bylaws.

Luce/Marquez, The remedy for a bad board is removing them, this isn't something you go to a city agency on. And a suit is only if the board refuses to call elections or agree to a special meeting.

and what exactly does the board president do that is so evil? Give me a break. You make it sound like your living under Kim Jung Il or Fidel Castro. Quit complaining!

Riversider you are right. Hey, this person is so bad that no one will run against him this year, so yeah "The President" it is like Fidel Castro. I am not at liberty to say more at this point, but it will be exposed eventually.

'Quit complaining!'

The_President has spoken...............

alpie why are you not out there taking your own personal victory lap? You have been backing up your bullish thinking day after day and as far as I can see the Media is backing your months old claims. I must admit that you are entiled to a little chest beating of your own. Is this one of those victory with grace things I've herd about?

and what exactly does the board president do that is so evil? Give me a break. You make it sound like your living under Kim Jung Il or Fidel Castro. Quit complaining! -

Read the original post, you moron. If you have nothing valuable to add, GET LOST.

It's time to consult with a good real estate lawyer.

What a bummer, and I am sorry to hear it. This most certainly reduces your quality of life.

Manhattan real estate agent.}

Yeah and how much will that cost??? This is exactly what Hitler counts on. Who wants to spend that kind of money and oh yes, did I mention he is a lawyer trying to get into Politics?

Is he more like Fidel Castro, or more like Rafael Trujillo?

yo lucey...hit the first decent bid you see and get the hell out..then give us the address and we'll look into the guy..i look fwd to the project...love exposing scumbags

Thx ubottom. how can i contact u? I've seen a lot of scumbags in my life but this is for sure the worst one ever. EVIL person and even more frightening that he wants to get into politics.

I'll second mmarquez110's recommendation of Sylvia Shapiro's book. Very handy to have.

Luce,
Ever consider obtaining proxy and going door to door. you'd be surprised how many people will vote for someone who actually cares. you could fix the building.

I have so much to say about this, but it's way too painful.

and what does your evil board president do? Clean the lobby with a toothbrush? This is a silly thread.

correction: my first sentece should have read "make you do?"

have so much to say about this, but it's way too painful.

GO FOR IT

Alpine: I dont think many people read your first sentences anymore

I'm thinking Trujillo.

What neighborhood is the building in?

Solution:

TAR + FEATHERS = BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION

for fun, ring a bell while taring and feathering for that added extra 'Operant conditioning effect'.

ring the bell in the future for added amusement.

Riversider, we thought of that too but when the opponents tried to be the least intrusive by leaving a flyer at the residents doors, the Board went floor to floor ripping them up and throwing them away. When one of the opponents tried to take the flyers back the President screamed "i've been assaulted, I've been assaulted" and called the police. One of the board members then shouted obscenities to some of the opposition. As I said, these people are crazy. Who in their right mind would want to be on a Condo Board so badly that they would verbally and physically assault people as well as spending half their life having "strategic meetings" to make sure they won. Unfortunately no one wins with this type of dictatorship! For those who find this hard to believe, I couldn't make up a story like this if I tried.

FROM THE NY TIMES...

A Edward T. Braverman, a Manhattan co-op and condo lawyer, said condominiums are unincorporated associations formed under a section of New York State's Real Property Law known as the Condominium Act. And while the act does not contain a specific requirement that a condo association hold an annual meeting, it does require that at least a third of the members of the board of managers be elected annually.

"Accordingly, all condominium bylaws require that at least one unit owners' meeting be held each year for the purpose of electing members to the board of managers," he said.

Mr. Braverman also noted that the Condominium Act requires that the bylaws of a condominium establish a method of calling a special meeting of the owners. Most bylaws, he said, provide that if 25 percent of the owners sign a petition demanding a meeting, specify the purpose and serve notice on the secretary of the association, the secretary or president must call a meeting.

So, Mr. Braverman said, if the association fails to have the required meeting to elect directors or fails to call a meeting after one has been demanded by the unit owners, the owners can go to court for an order requiring the association to hold the necessary meeting.

tyranny of the majority

Thank you riversider, that was exactly what I was alluding to!. Of course I got it from Shapiro's book....