Superintendent's Apartment & Maintenance Costs

Not sure it's the usual but I have had the same experience. I was somewhat surprised as well.

Croynism. Somebodys friend is getting looked after. Total BS. I passed on a new construction condo because of this exact thing. The building only had 3 "3 bedroom" units and the super not only got one of them but the best one, with a terrace!

Where can I get a job as a super.

How many units in the building, and how much does the super get paid?

I have the same thing in my building downtown where the super's apt was divided up and part of closing costs. In theory, I guess I don't mind it, but it was quite a bit and it seemed that the amt. was for full market price. I've noticed some new developments that have a super's apt listed at a very discounted price. I recall a couple in Chelsea (the Indigo, I think) where the super's 2 BR 2 BTH was listed at 400K, about a third of market. Dividing that up would wind up less than dividing up the market price of 1.4 million or whatever it would be.

While the building in FiDi I'm in is generally great, I am not super-impressed by the mgt company (which was also the sponsor) and they seem about as money grubbing as you can get. The building is run by some sort of Polish mafia.

A Sponsor acting as a mgmt company is a nightmare. The worst combo. Should be some law against it. Sponsor running the Board is another disaster that happens all the time.

How about you axe the live in super, sell the apt for market value and lower carrying costs for residents? Then get a part time super from a nearby building and offer to split his salary with that coop.

I just also bought in a building (also in FiDi) where the super's apt. is part of closing costs. I guess that over the long run, it works better to get the cost out of the way so it's not part of monthly maintenance/condo fees. My building's a little bit big for a part-time super, though I guess there are ways to handle this, maybe with some of the buildings nearby managed by Rose, Related, and Glenwood; they do mostly rentals but I think they all do condos as well. I imagine super's usually don't buy their own apartments. I have no idea whether the condo association or management company paid the sponsor cost or market price.

poorishlady, to answer your questions: Super gets paid over 87K, and there are 141 units in the building. He has chosen a unit that is listed in the offering plan as costing $5.2 million! It is one of the most expensive units in the building. And the cost is to be borne by condo residents AT THIS MARKET PRICE (and factored into the maintenance). So, the sponsor has nothing to lose by giving him whatever apartment he wants since residents will pay the sponsor full market price. Is this kosher?

And BTW, what is the role of a resident super once the building is officially converted to a condo? Can you still call him for apartment maintenance once it's no longer a rental, and who pays for that?

Your building should have a live-in super. The guy lucked out in collusion with the sponsor, but it's the sponsor who's calling the dirty shots. NotAnonymous describes it correctly: nightmare, worst, disaster. You and other people in the building should get together and hire a good RE attorney to keep an eye on the shenanigans of the sponsor. They will not end; you'll have to learn to live with them and manage them to the best of your ability. Or sell your condo and move away from the problem. (I'm trying to same right now, but in a coop.)

What building is this?

i'm looking at a similar issue, but the fee is a one-time, upfront fee. has anyone experienced this? do you get this 'fee' back when you sell the unit? I'm guessing you just need to factor it into the price?