Q Strangers, whom no residents know, were found lurking the hallways of our building. Now a neighbor across the hall from me would like to install a security camera inside their door, facing the hall. The camera does not capture my door, …
Having a disinterested, apathetic board is a problem in some buildings, though a board that oversteps the boundaries of its power or invades the privacy of residents, also can cause hassles. By educating and informing themselves of the ext…
Chicago is a city known for its harsh weather, but this winter was extremely trying, complete with a 'polar vortex' and more snow and ice than usual. But there is always the promise of springtime and all it entails—blossoming trees, the re…
Condos and HOA communities can be a great setting in which to own a home and enjoy privacy and the comforts of your own personal space. That said, there is often a certain amount of tension between residents' desire to for autonomy and the…
When most people think of landscaping, they think of shrubs, trees, meticulously laid-out and maintained flowerbeds, and artful plantings scattered around a building or development. While that's definitely accurate, landscaping doesn…
Patches of green, living things are pretty rare in the city—aside from tiny front yards and the occasional back garden, many Chicagoans don’t get a lot of leafy goodness in their lives. Some co-op and condo buildings—and some whole neighbo…
In a city known for its expanses of steel and concrete, it can be easy to forget the importance that greenery plays in the life of Chicago residents. For many co-op and condo residents, the flowers, shrubs, grasses and trees that surround …
I was wondering if you had any information about whether a co-op management company is required by law to answer questions of random fees on a monthly statement. I've been struggling for 6 months with my management company and they 1) won't…
Q I am the vice president of a small condo community and we are trying to find out if non-homeowners can serve on the board. Several of the homeowners would like renters to have a proxy vote. However, being a proxy and voting for an absen…
It is the hometown of current mayor Rahm Emanuel, actor Rainn Wilson and actress Virginia Madsen. But with its 14 miles of brick-paved streets, circa1925 street lamps, a plethora of trees, a top notch school system and a sprawling lakefron…