Page 11 - Chicago Cooperator Summer 2019

CHICAGOCOOPERATOR.COM THE CHICAGOLAND COOPERATOR — SUMMER 2019 11 You Save Multi-family conservation/cost control Multi-family replacement programs Stop leaks Avoid damage Reduce insurance claims Control your water Improving Lives through Better Water Solutions RCSsales@DRFtps.com • DRFtps.com/RCS RCSsales@DRFtps.com • DRFtps.com/RCS 630.615.4488 H O 2 ssessments Water Heaters SMART Devices S a v i n g s G u a r a n t e e M u l t i - F a m i l y We Guarantee TM can make a claim. All damage to any unit as a result of their negligence is the home- owner’s responsibility.” Other Potential Problems... Th e damage from burst pipes is not the only potential problem resulting from dis- appearing neighbors. Such issues could in- clude mail and packages piling up, voting in the event of an emergency meeting, and il- legal sublets. Th e most obvious of these problems is mail and package delivery. “If the mailbox gets full,” says Halper, “and let’s remember that most apartment mailboxes are quite small – the post offi ce will simply hold the mail at the post offi ce, even without notifi ca- tion from the receiver.” In a building with a concierge or doorman, larger packages will be accepted and kept in a storage area, Halp- er explains, until the unit owner returns. In a building without a doorman, the problem can become worse, as theft of packages from unattended lobbies is already a concern and becomes even more so when parcels pile up and gather dust. When it comes to achieving a quorum for building meetings, there can be no vote if there aren’t enough shareholders or unit holders in attendance. Th ere is no way around it. “But most boards,” says Halper, “are fully vested in most decision-making situations and issues. Th ey don’t need a broad vote of ownership to make a policy decision. Governing documents should au- thorize email or electronic meetings and de- cision making.” In Chicago, explains Butler, the Illinois Condominium Property Act pro- vides for remote contact for meetings. Th e practice is relatively common, and usually by phone. On the issue of illegal sublets, the answer is quite simple: if governing documents in ei- ther a co-op or condominium prohibit leas- ing of the unit without permission, both the owner and the illegal sub-lessee are subject to penalties, fi nes, and even eviction. Don’t try to rent out your unit at a profi t and then try to convince anyone that your “nephew” is staying in the apartment for a couple of weeks. If you want to lease out your unit MARKETPLACE For schedule and ad rates, contact Peter Chase at (312) 899-6301 Ext. 348. BetterVent is a NEW kind of Indoor Dryer Vent. www.adr-products.com 1-888-609-5512 while on an extended stay away, go about it properly and according to the community’s rules. In the fi nal analysis, deciding to leave your apartment unit unattended is your decision. If you do leave it empty, consider your neighbors. Leave keys, contact infor- mation and instructions, and a have a good trip. n AJ Sidransky is a staff writer/reporter with Th e Chicagoland Cooperator, and a published novelist.