As a co-op shareholder, you are responsible for everything inside your walls — the building is responsible for everything within or behind the walls, floors, and ceilings.

Your responsibility You: Paint, flooring, tiles, fixtures (faucets, toilets, sinks), appliances, electrical wiring inside your unit, exposed pipes attached to your fixtures, interior of windows, your added locks.

Building's responsibility Building: Pipes within walls/floors/ceilings, risers, boiler, structural elements, exterior of windows and window frames, front door frame and standard lock, common areas.

Gray areas Check lease: Steam risers (building's in most co-ops), the wax ring on toilets, valves under sinks, air conditioning sleeves in walls. Always check your proprietary lease.

Yours You: Faucets, toilet tank/seat/flushometer, sink, shower fixtures, drain covers, any pipes visible and attached to your fixtures. If your faucet leaks — you fix it.

Building's Building: Pipes inside walls, main stack, risers. If there's a leak from inside the wall with no fixture involved — notify the building in writing immediately.

Always turn off the shut-off valve under a sink or behind the toilet before calling the plumber. Know where your main water shut-off is.

Yours You: All wiring, fixtures, outlets, switches, circuit breakers, and fuse boxes inside your unit. If you modify any electrical system you assume responsibility for the quality of that work.

NYC requires a licensed electrician for any significant electrical work. Keep records of any electrical work done in case of future insurance claims.

Water damage is one of the most contentious issues in NYC co-ops. Document everything with photos and timestamps the moment you discover any leak or water intrusion.

If you cause water damage to a neighbor's unit (e.g. an overflowing tub), you may be liable for their damages. This is why homeowner's insurance is essential — even if your building doesn't require it.

Notify the building super and managing agent in writing (email is fine) for any building-side leak. Keep a record of all communications.

Any significant renovation requires board approval before work begins. You'll typically need to submit plans, use licensed and insured contractors, and sign an alteration agreement.

NYC DOB permits are required for structural work, electrical, plumbing, and any work that changes the layout. Unpermitted work is your liability — it can complicate a future sale.

If renovation touches building pipes or risers, those become your cost even though the building normally owns them.

The co-op carries a master policy covering the building structure and common areas — not your unit's interior or belongings.

Get a co-op/HO-6 homeowner's policy covering: your belongings, interior fixtures and finishes, personal liability (especially if you flood a neighbor), and loss assessment (if the board levies a special assessment after a covered event).

Ask your board what the master policy covers ("bare walls" vs "all in") — this determines how much interior coverage you need.

NYC law requires at least one smoke detector and one carbon monoxide detector in each unit. CO detector must be within 15 feet of each sleeping room entrance.

The building installs them; you are responsible for testing monthly and notifying the building if one fails. Replace batteries annually.

Local Law 157 (2025): Natural gas detectors are now also required in residential units. Confirm installation with your building.

Oct 1 – May 31: Your building must maintain indoor temps at 68°F during the day when it's below 55°F outside, and 62°F overnight regardless of outdoor temp.

If heat is inadequate, notify your super first, then managing agent in writing. If unresolved, file a complaint via 311.

Hot water must be at least 120°F year-round — this is always the building's responsibility.

Your building is required to send you annual notices (typically by January 15) about:

• Window guards (required if children 10 or under live in the unit)
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detector responsibilities
• Gas safety and natural gas detector info
• Lead paint (if building was built before 1978)
• Heat and hot water rights

Respond to these notices — non-response can affect your rights.

NYC's Facade Inspection Safety Program (FISP, aka Local Law 11) requires periodic facade inspections for buildings over 6 stories. At 8 units and likely under 6 stories, your building may not be subject — but confirm with your board.

The board must post a "Wall Certificate" indicating the building's facade condition: Safe, SWARMP (Safe With a Repair and Maintenance Program), or Unsafe.

Your maintenance fee covers: your share of the building's property taxes, the underlying mortgage (if any), master insurance policy, super/staff, utilities for common areas, and building maintenance and reserves.

It does not cover: your unit's interior repairs, your personal insurance, your appliances, or any improvements you make.

The board can levy a special assessment for major capital repairs (new roof, elevator, boiler). Budget for this possibility.

Co-ops typically have strict sublet policies — you'll need board approval for any sublet, there are usually time limits, and a sublet fee may apply. Check your proprietary lease.

Airbnb and short-term rentals are generally not permitted in NYC co-ops and violate most proprietary leases.

With only 8 units, your board is small and relationships matter. Always communicate in writing (email), be a cooperative neighbor, attend annual meetings, and pay maintenance on time.

For any issue that might be the building's responsibility, notify the super first verbally, then follow up in writing. Keep a record. Escalate to the managing agent if unresolved.

• Gas leak: Con Edison 1-800-752-6633 (leave immediately first)
• No heat/hot water: 311 → file HPD complaint
• FDNY non-emergency: 311
• DOB complaints: 311 or nyc.gov/buildings
• HPD housing complaints: 311 or hpd.nyc.gov