What to do AFTER co-op closing

The insurance carried by the building only covers common areas and the walls from the outside to the paint on the inside.

Everything else YOU need to insure.

1) Co-op unit insurance is sold by a subset of insurers- State Farm, Allstate on the cheaper end, Travelers in the middle, Amica Chubb Chartis/AIG on the expensive but better service side. Most of the cost is in dollars of personal property insured and reconstruction costs (building property).

Might as well get it done before they jerk rates up based on what happened with the storms.

2) Go tip every staff member in your co-op now because a) you want to make a good impression, b) everyone else will tip them in 4 weeks, so your bucks won't get lost in thought.

3) Figure out exactly when your mortgage and maintenance are due and how they are paid- set up electronic if available - you don't want to be late the first time because you didn't know how to do it.

4) Make sure you get 'new customer' rates for Time Warner cable or Verizon FiOS. See if the building has a bulk rate for Time Warner.

5) Get prepared for surprises- something that is broken and wasn't detected in the walk through - an assessment if the city doesn't renew the tax abatement by the end of the year

Yes, you need to get insurance ASAP.

Call a locksmith to change the locks.
Your co-op rules probably require that you give a copy of your keys to the super.

You slept in it last night, was there sufficient heat and hot water?
Have you ordered floor covering to comply with the 80% floor covering rule that most co-ops require?

"2) Go tip every staff member in your co-op now because a) you want to make a good impression, b) everyone else will tip them in 4 weeks, so your bucks won't get lost in thought."

Fuck the tips.

Don't be terrorized into buying into this mafioso-type shakedown every year by building staff forcing you to pay them extra to do the jobs YOU'RE ALREADY PAYING THEM TO DO.

Matt: lol. I knew that was coming.

If you do decide to tip the staff now, hand them the envelope directly to each staff member when you see them and introduce yourself. Say: I'm giving you an early Holiday tip because I just moved in and I'm going to be very busy during the next few weeks. Thanks for your help."

Matt has the head of every staff member on the guillotine as a minor perk of being Board President. Therefore, his dry cleaning does not show up with spit on it after the staff realizes he didn't tip yet again.

Danielle does not have that luxury.

Congratulations, Danielle!!!

As for tipping, if you DO choose to tip now, you should note that it is an early holiday gift, as Truth says. Otherwise, they might expect another batch of tips in a month.

Also, while I am IN NO WAY agreeing with Matt, I believe in "merit-based tipping." So, beginning next year, I'd suggest you tip the nice and helpful staff--but you should feel free to skip the rude, scary do-nothing guy (there WILL be one in your bldg.!). I once tipped my nasty guy generously to get on his good side, but it did absolutely nothing. He didn't even thank me...

Thanks for the quick comments (and looking forward to more). This isn't a fancy co-op by the way -- just an old fashioned, charming, classic tenement (6 floors of walk-ups, with mine being on the second floor with a business on the first).

Crescent
1. I will look into the insurance ASAP (as in I already am as I write this ;) ) Thanks and I feel like an idiot for asking although I sort of knew the answer.
2. I have to figure out who all works in my building. I have a feeling since its a small co-op and managed by an agent, there are several part time workers there. I am emailing the managing agent to get a listing of people who work in my building. I am not much of a building tipper unless they truly earn it. But that might change if I have a lot of small issues with my apartment, however my old super said he would do basic things for me. It also helps my old building is a block away from my new one.
3. Mortgage/maintenance payments will be taken care of. I need to set up the ACH account but am not too worried about that, the managing agent said they invoice on a monthly basis anyways.
4. I am still renting my old apartment since I didn't close in time and had to renew. Does time warner care if I have two accounts? Is it better to call or just go into the site (I think the closest one to me is on 23rd st).
5. Thanks-hopefully anything quirky that comes up can be handled by my old super in the mean time.

Truth:
1. As far as a locksmith, I just emailed the management company to see if there is a policy/procedure for getting new locks.
2. I was not expecting my apartment to be as warm/cozy as it was last night, especially for using an air mattress haha. Its a very old building and you never know if gusts of wind would have came through the windows but I think they must be newer windows.
3. I don't think I have to worry about the 80% floor covering rule since a business is below me.

Additional:
1. Is it inappropriate to find someone in my building to walk through the garbage process? I don't know what exactly we are responsible for separating. I am used to having a super do all the separating for me in my old apartment.

party time chumps!

No, don't hand envelopes. If you are going to tip, find a reason. If the super helped with the move, seek him out and hand him some cash. If the handyman fixed something or let you in or whatever, give him some cash. Find a reason. Not just envelopes with cash - it is not Christmas. Also by giving to some group and not others, that'll be sufficient to indicate that you tip for a reason.

" If the super helped with the move, seek him out and hand him some cash. If the handyman fixed something or let you in or whatever, give him some cash."

Because, of course, their union wages, health care, and pensions built into your monthly maintenance clearly isn't enough for them to do THEIR JOBS.

Time Warner does accounts by phone number I think. Act like a new customer with your new apt's phone number and find whatever promo they have for new customers.

I think it's more important in a smaller co-op to tip. Run whatever ideology you want on why to tip but you have to live with whatever consequences results.

O.K. huntersburg, I will agree. (I was assuming that at least the super and a porter helped with the move-in).
Just don't tip now and again at the holidays.

>Because, of course, their union wages, health care, and pensions built into your monthly maintenance clearly isn't enough for them to do THEIR JOBS.

Intersting that you think the union is a racket.

Congratulations, Danielle! A very exciting time, indeed!

When you meet your super, definitely tip him (in an envelope). Four months from now, when you want to make minor adjustments (painting, floor refinishing, other cosmetic changes) and you want to bypass the board & management company, the super will be on your side. You can approach him directly and he will be your friend.

Most entry doorways have an upper and lower lock. Change the upper lock (and if you don't have one, get one installed). The upper lock is yours to keep and you do not need to give a key to anyone......just keep the upper lock unlocked while you're not there. Leave the lower lock as it is, and that is the key you give out (to the super, the cleaning person, etc.) This way, you're "protected" when you're there on your own, but you can let people in when you're not (by leaving the top lock unlocked).

Indeed, ask how the trash is handled.

Get insurance for the inside of your co-op. It's like renter's insurance, i.e. very inexpensive, and covers all the stuff inside your apartment.

Again, congratulations. Best of luck in your new home.

Surely the mortgage bank made you buy insurance already in order to close? It's worth reviewing your coverage, but I can't imagine that they lent money on a property that was uninsured; it's usually a condition of finalizing the loan.

ali r.
DG Neary Realty

What would you say is a good tip to get the super on your side?

Danielle:

What kind of business is located on the ground floor?
You should check with managing agent to find out when/if exterminator services your building.

I somehow closed without insurance Front Porch. :)

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Isle_of_Lucy
about 3 hours ago
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Member since: Apr 2011
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>When you meet your super, definitely tip him (in an envelope).

Hmm, should you take this anonymous internet advice that disagrees with mine?

>Change the upper lock (and if you don't have one, get one installed).

Ah, recommending a violation of the Multiple Dwelling Law...

Rekey the locks--you have no idea who the previous owner gave keys to.

Congrats Danielle,
Almost no better feeling. Ask your Coop if there is a minimum insurance that is required. They usually require something. Don't feel you need to do everything at once (after you settle the insurance issue). Take your time. Enjoy the process.
Way to go girl!

Congrats on the new home.
a) Change the cylinders on your locks. Easy to do yourself usually.
b) Get the insurance..kind of surprised they let you close w/o it...are you sure they didn't bundle and by it for you or something? Thats usually a pre-requistie.
c) Find out the building rules..There's usually still some sort of managing agent.
1) move in policy.
2) garbage days.
d) Hire someone to clean the place while its empty. ie the fridge, bathrooms etc.
e) Assess/decide if there is any Reno that you want to do.

It this^^ Mr.or Mrs. Snuffles posting?
Maybe Danielle is handy but I don't recommend do-it-yourself for something as important
to your security at home as changing the cylinders.

But if you are handy enough to change the cylinders yourself I bet you can clean the apartment.
At least for the first time. It will give you a chance to see what's under the sinks and things like that.

"d) Hire someone to clean the place while its empty. ie the fridge, bathrooms etc."

In that vein ... now is a better time than any to have the place painted.

Better to have the place painted before move-in.

Sorry!!

I was away for a little.

I bought my place with all cash (no mortgage) which is why I didn't have to get insurance before closing. I wish I would have known I could have gotten insurance before closing, and if I am ever on the board, I would make that a pre-requisite of future owners. It makes sense, I just wasn't told that I needed any.

I got new locks yesterday! That was a lot easier than I thought.

The two business are a take-out restaurant and a clothing/accessories shop. I will definitely look into exterminating services. The garbage situation seems a bit annoying--being used to having people organize it for me previously, there are only certain days I can take my garbage out. I have a feeling I will be mostly taking my garbage to the end of the street :) (shh)

Get a small, covered step-open garbage bin/can for both your kitchen and bathroom.
You don't want garbage piling up in them. You empty them into a plastic bag that you get from grocery stores, delis, wherever.
(Now you reusing those bags by repurposing.)
Get a bigger step-open for your kitchen and throw the small bags each day (tied closed) into a big black garbage bag which lines the big can.
If you have room, get another small can for recylcling cans, bottles, glass)

There is usually sidewalk garbage pick-up twice a week, with one day also for recylclables.

If you dump your garbage into the street public trash can, don't let anybody see you, you can get a summons.
(and shred all paper with your name/address/info on it).

Now go out & get some fresh bagels.

Why?

They go great with new locks! (groan/eyeroll/headshake...)

fresh bagels and nova, walpurgis.

Definitely!

Great follow-up to a co-op's red herring!

Now we're talkin appetizin', walpurgis!

I would normally be hungry by now, but courtesy of my giving in to a Pie Face craving around 10:30 last night - I'm as stuffed as a kreplach!