Enhancing Your Coop or Condo with Free Tools from The Folson Group

Hey there, coop and condo board members of New York City! Are you looking for some handy resources to streamline your operations and stay compliant with the ever-changing laws and regulations? Look no further! The Folson Group has got you covered with a set of free tools designed to make your life easier and your buildings safer, more sustainable, and more affordable.

Like board members at any other non-profit or not-for-profit boards, you are volunteers. This means that your TIME is limited as you probably have a job, family, hobbies and other priorities. You may or may not have board experience, and some of you might have limited knowledge of how a building is run.

Multifamily buildings are complex with many involved parties and lots of service providers and safety regulations. The buildings are typically managed by a third-party vendor, a property management firm or property manager. The property manager oversees the staff, headed by the superintendent or resident manager.

Have you ever wondered why your building’s super’s title isn’t Super, it’s Resident Manager? DM me here on LinkedIn and I’ll share what I know ?? ?

Running a coop or condo in NYC can be a daunting task. From managing finances and maintaining the building to keeping up with legal requirements, there’s a lot on your plate. But fear not! We at The Folson Group understand the challenges you face, which is why we’ve developed a range of free tools to assist you in your endeavors. Let’s dive into what these tools are and how they can benefit you and your board.

The board is there to govern. However, because most NYC property managers have 6-8 buildings to manage, boards are often more involved in the operations than just overseeing things. The property manager typically takes care of complaints, various building filings, and A/P and A/R. Other than these items, we are seeing more and more (successful) boards taking care of everything else nowadays.

In board members’ everyday lives, they have policies and procedures, job descriptions, current documents, cloud storage, checklists, manuals, and software tools to get their responsibilities done on time. When it comes to their coop and condo board responsibilities, we frequently see that board members are just showing up without a plan in place.

To help coop and condo board members becoming more pro-active, we created some free guides and checklists with lots of resources in the following three areas:

Top Tools That Every NYC Coop & Condo Board Should Have

1.??? Do You Know Your Board’s Policies and Procedures? (Checklist)

First things first, do you know your board’s policies and procedures like the back of your hand? This comprehensive checklist will help you ensure that your board has all the necessary policies in place, covering areas pertaining to:

• Board responsibilities
• The coop or condo building
• Your staff
• The property manager or property management firm

How It Helps: By using this checklist, you can identify any gaps in your board’s policies and take necessary steps to fill them. Having a clear and well-defined strategy with an accompanied checklist not only fosters transparency but also helps assign tasks to each board member to set up an efficiently run coop.

Question: I have been on the board of my 274-unit condo in Manhattan for several years, but do not recall signing a Code of Ethics or seeing a staff manual.

Answer: You can get our FREE Policies & Procedures checklist, which will provide you with the necessary documents that you need to optimize the operation of your coop [1-minute read].

2. Do You Know the NYC Energy Efficiency Codes? (Guide)

Energy efficiency is crucial for both environmental sustainability and cost savings. Our guide to NYC energy efficiency codes breaks down the regulations you need to know to make your building more energy-efficient. It covers the laws themselves and the difference between:

• Local Law 84
• Local Law 87
• Local Law 33
• Local Law 97

How It Helps: Understanding and complying with energy efficiency codes can lead to significant savings on utility bills while reducing your building's carbon footprint. This guide simplifies complex regulations, making it easier for your board to implement energy-saving measures.

Question: I am a board member of my 89-unit coop in Brooklyn, how do I find out which NYC energy laws our building needs to adhere to?

Answer: You can download our FREE NYC Energy Efficiency Guide that explains the laws with links to all the resources that you’ll need [2-minute read].

3. Do You Know Your Building's FISP? (Guide)

Local Law 11, also known as the Facade Inspection Safety Program (FISP), requires periodic inspections of NYC building facades to ensure they are safe and well-maintained. Our guide helps you stay on top of your building's FISP requirements in this quick explainer:

• Which buildings need to comply
• FISP Classifications
• Fa?ade Inspection steps

How It Helps: By regularly inspecting and maintaining your building's facade, you can prevent accidents and ensure the safety of residents and passersby. Our guide gives a comprehensive overview of the FISP process, ensuring that you meet all the requirements.

Question: I am a board member of my 131-unit coop on the Upper West Side, how do I find out when our next fa?ade inspection is due?

Answer: You can download our FREE Fa?ade Inspection Safety Program (FISP) guide with links to all the resources that you’ll ever need [2-minute read].

There are approximately 40 engineering and architectural firms in the city that specialize in NYC exterior building codes. We know and have worked with many of them.

When it comes to reducing the cost of your next FISP, that is NOT done by the engineer or architect, or even the property manager. That’s our specialty! Want to hear more about that? Set up a strategy call with us.

4. Do You Understand Local Law 97? (Toolkit)

Local Law 97 mandates reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for large buildings in NYC. This toolkit provides a comprehensive overview of Local Law 97, including information on coverage, deadlines, penalties, benefits, energy saving measures, and education. It also includes additional resources for further assistance. Our toolkit provides you with everything you need to know about LL97, including:

• Overview of the LL97 law
• Deadlines
• Penalties
• Energy-saving measures

How It Helps: LL97 can be complex and overwhelming, but our toolkit breaks it down into the most important aspects. By understanding the basics of LL97, you can start planning your road to avoid hefty fines and contribute to a greener, more sustainable building and city.

Question: I am a board member of my 82-unit coop in Forrest Hills Queens, how do I find out if our building needs to comply with LL97?

Answer: You can download our FREE Local Law 97 Toolkit, which will provide you with the next steps for co-op and condo boards [2-minute read].

?

There you have it, folks! These free tools from The Folson Group are designed to empower your co-op or condo board, making your job easier and your building better. Whether you need to strengthen your policies, improve energy efficiency, maintain your facade, or comply with local laws, we've got you covered. So why wait? Visit our website today and take advantage of these invaluable resources!

Ready to elevate your coop or condo? Head over to The Folson Group's website now and download our free tools. Your building and your residents will thank you!

Sincerely,

Tina Larsson

#NYC #propertymanagement #freetools #folsontips