Hello all,
I am wondering if someone can point me in the right direction on how to remedy some building wide issues owners of our co-op are having with the board and the management company. We were assessed over 3 years ago for a lobby renovation project that is yet to be completed. Work is started and stopped, leaving the main lobby area of our building a complete mess. The walls are literally falling apart and have been in such a state for nearly 3 months since the contractor started pulling off the plaster. No work has been done since and repeated requests to the managing company and co-op board have been ignored or brushed off by numerous shareholders. We have all dealt with this for some time and it finally hit a head this week when the elevator broke for the 8th time this year, trapping a tenant inside. 5 days after the elevator broke and numerous complaints to both the board and the managing company with no repsonse, a notice arrived today stating it would take an additional 12 days to fix the elevator. This is forcing people to walk up and down possibly 10 flights of stairs, with no help provided for groceries, deliveries, laundry etc.. this elevator breakdown comes only a few months after the elevator was closed for 10 days (with notice give by the managing co that it would be) to repair and refurbish the elevator.
A group of shareholders are fed up and we have discussed amongst ourselves that it is time to do something. My question is, what are our options?
can we force a special board meeting to address the issues?
can we demand a reduction of our maintenance fees?
can we force the co-op to pay for hotels for tenants on the top floors or the elderly/disabled who live in the building?
can we make a special motion to remove members of the board for negligence?
is it time to look for a lawyer?
any help or advice on this would be greatly aprreciated or any info on a boards responsibilities and what action can be taken when these are not met would be appreciated.