What does a live-in super of a CO-OP or CONDO actually do?
Started by tanner
over 16 years ago
Posts: 1
Member since: Aug 2009
Discussion about
I'm confused about the whole live-in super thing when it comes to a condo or co-op. When you *own* your apartment, are you not held responsible for any repairs or problems that arise WITHIN your apartment? i.e., you have to pay to fix anything that goes wrong inside your unit. So what, then, is the value of a live-in super if you have to pay for repairs and maintenance anyway? If there were a... [more]
I'm confused about the whole live-in super thing when it comes to a condo or co-op. When you *own* your apartment, are you not held responsible for any repairs or problems that arise WITHIN your apartment? i.e., you have to pay to fix anything that goes wrong inside your unit. So what, then, is the value of a live-in super if you have to pay for repairs and maintenance anyway?
If there were a building maintenance issue, the condo or co-op board could just call their handymen or tradespeople to solve the problem. So what is the purpose of a live-in super in an owner-occupied building?
I'm considering buying a condo in a conversion project, and the super's unit must be "bought" by the unit owners at market price (very high price since he's getting a prime unit). This is added to our monthly maintenance fees.
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Response by 30yrs_RE_20_in_REO
over 16 years ago
Posts: 9876
Member since: Mar 2009
It varies very much from building to building. But, for example, if you've got a super who is a licensed plumber and the building allows him to do work in the building, small jobs like replacing a toilet or a faucet can cost hundreds of dollars less, and even smaller jobs like replacing a washer (not a washing machine: a washer: those round things with the holes in the middle that go between the screw and what you are screwing it into) you can get done for a minimal tip as opposed to whatever (?$400?) minimum charge a plumbing company would charge you.
Another value is that when the boiler goes down, he's got no heat or hot water, same as you. So his wife will make him get out of bed at 3AM on a Tuesday night to get it fixed instead of not answering calls till the next business day.
But a good super vs a bad super can make a HUGE difference in how a a building gets run.
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Response by trinityparent
over 16 years ago
Posts: 199
Member since: Feb 2009
Our super runs a crew of handyman, porter, and doormen. He keeps the public parts of the building humming - makes sure the basement and back stairs are clean, keeps the laundry room working, fixes the boiler and the lobby a/c, he supervises moves in and out, furniture deliveries, and he also does things for shareholders - over time, for me he has fixed plumbing, done small electrical jobs, hung a chandelier, installed a dishwasher, taken down my christmas tree, etc etc etc. Many of those private jobs happen outside his regular hours. Not to mention shoveling snow, calling 911 when there was a fire, coordinating the firemen and later, the cleanup. Yes, he calls in electricians etc to solve if needed, but first you have to NOTICE that there's a problem. He's always on the case.
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Response by scoots
over 16 years ago
Posts: 327
Member since: Jan 2009
I agree with Trinity, plus he is in his office on Saturdays so if you see a mess, a mouse or whatever - you can speak to him right away.
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It varies very much from building to building. But, for example, if you've got a super who is a licensed plumber and the building allows him to do work in the building, small jobs like replacing a toilet or a faucet can cost hundreds of dollars less, and even smaller jobs like replacing a washer (not a washing machine: a washer: those round things with the holes in the middle that go between the screw and what you are screwing it into) you can get done for a minimal tip as opposed to whatever (?$400?) minimum charge a plumbing company would charge you.
Another value is that when the boiler goes down, he's got no heat or hot water, same as you. So his wife will make him get out of bed at 3AM on a Tuesday night to get it fixed instead of not answering calls till the next business day.
But a good super vs a bad super can make a HUGE difference in how a a building gets run.
Our super runs a crew of handyman, porter, and doormen. He keeps the public parts of the building humming - makes sure the basement and back stairs are clean, keeps the laundry room working, fixes the boiler and the lobby a/c, he supervises moves in and out, furniture deliveries, and he also does things for shareholders - over time, for me he has fixed plumbing, done small electrical jobs, hung a chandelier, installed a dishwasher, taken down my christmas tree, etc etc etc. Many of those private jobs happen outside his regular hours. Not to mention shoveling snow, calling 911 when there was a fire, coordinating the firemen and later, the cleanup. Yes, he calls in electricians etc to solve if needed, but first you have to NOTICE that there's a problem. He's always on the case.
I agree with Trinity, plus he is in his office on Saturdays so if you see a mess, a mouse or whatever - you can speak to him right away.