BY GREG CARLSON, RAM, CPM, nyarm
FEDERAL
Lead Paint Discloser Rule on sale/lease of units - EPA is now enforcing this rule. Each violation is $11,000. Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington D.C. have started enforcement. EPA checks hospital records for high levels of lead reports and then investigates.
If a building is found to contain lead paint, a new set of rules applies called "Waste Handling" which involves OSHA. Repairs must be done with respirators, moonsuits etc.
Real estate associations have banded together to bring a court case regarding the "FCC Antenna Rule". They feel it gives too many rights to residents and they feel this issue involves property rights.
IRS has stopped applying Section 277 to any kind of housing cooperative.
NEW YORK STATE
There are presently 32 bills that have been introduced in Albany, concerning cooperatives and condominiums.
Highlights of some of these bills are:
The separate part established in housing court for co-ops and condominiums should be made permanent.
All co-op and condominium board meetings should be made open to residents.
If a board fails to act on a resale for 90 days it will result in an automatic approval.
If a board rejects a resale application it must state in writing the reason(s) for withholding consent of sale.
The establishment of a residential cooperative and condominium owners bill of rights.
NEW YORK CITY
The City Council is debating fire sprinklers/PA systems in existing multifamily housing over six stories high.
The Department of Buildings has issued its final rules and regulations concerning Local Law 11. This law requires building inspection every five years (old Local Law 10). The new regulations will require at least one scaffold drop inspection of every building.