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Co-Op Legal Guidance for Long Island Boards

Long Island is home to a wide range of cooperative communities, each with its own set of challenges and governing documents.

Thorough Knowledge of Long Island Co-Op Law

At Schneider Buchel LLP, our co-op attorneys serve as legal counsel to many Long Island Co-op Boards. We understand how important it is for these unique entities to have attorneys who know how to interpret Proprietary Leases, Occupancy Agreements, and the legal responsibilities of Board members. From revising bylaws to resolving disputes between shareholders and Boards, our team delivers practical solutions that work.

Experience That Matters

Because Long Island Co-ops often operate under older documents or face complex local issues, we provide both preventive guidance and responsive legal representation. Our attorneys are always ready to help your Board face today’s issues with confidence.

Landlord/Tenant Matters

Schneider Buchel understands the complexities that arise when cooperative boards must enforce rules against their own shareholder-tenants. As both landlords and stewards of the building, co-ops face a uniquely sensitive legal terrain.

Proven Success in Court

We have represented co-ops in countless landlord-tenant disputes, developing a reliable presence in the housing courts that handle these cases. Our litigation experience includes successful evictions, favorable appeals, and court-awarded attorneys’ fees in difficult cases—saving our clients time and money.

Our deep familiarity with proprietary leases and governing documents allows us to act quickly and precisely. In many matters involving maintenance arrears, we’ve recovered full balances through negotiation with lenders, ensuring co-ops remain financially stable without engaging in lengthy legal battles.

Comprehensive Representation

From objectionable conduct claims to persistent nonpayment, our attorneys have a track record of delivering practical, enforceable solutions. When litigation is necessary, we pursue judgments and settlements efficiently—and in cases where the lease allows, we also recover interest owed to the co-op.

We provide boards with a forward-looking strategy, minimizing risk and ensuring that unit owners meet their responsibilities. At Schneider Buchel, we help co-ops restore order while protecting their legal and financial interests.

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Repair, Improvements, and Other Contracts

When planning major repairs or improvements, such as roof projects, structural upgrades, or façade restoration, Co-op boards should consult legal counsel early. We regularly draft contracts for these types of work, as well as for management and engineering consultants. Unfortunately, we often see boards sign vendor proposals without fully understanding the implications. Contracts that lack key provisions—such as insurance requirements, indemnification clauses, or dispute resolution terms—can expose the Co-op to unnecessary risk.

What appears to be “standard” language in small print can become a major issue when a claim arises. We’ve helped many clients resolve problems that could have been avoided with a properly reviewed contract.

By involving us at the outset, boards can confidently enter into agreements that reflect the Co-op’s interests and offer protection from common liabilities.

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Financing (and Refinancing)

Securing new financing or refinancing a Co-op’s existing mortgage can be complex. Schneider Buchel routinely assists Co-ops with both. Many buildings carry mortgages with balloon payments, which means refinancing is necessary well before the loan matures. We help Boards prepare well in advance, review loan terms, and negotiate favorable agreements. Our attorneys understand the intersection between cooperative law and real estate finance—ensuring each document serves the best interests of the Co-op.

We don’t work in a vacuum. We coordinate with your entire professional team, including financial consultants, lenders, property managers, and auditors. Our goal is to streamline the process and provide clear legal support from start to finish. With deep experience in community association law and financing, we are well-positioned to help your Co-op secure the funds it needs while protecting its financial future. Our involvement offers peace of mind and dependable legal oversight.

Creating and Implementing Policies

Our legal team assists Co-op Boards with developing and instituting policies that meet legal standards and align with community goals. This includes House Rules, Proprietary Lease terms, and By-Law amendments.

Protecting Your Co-op From Legal Pitfalls

We have helped Boards make meaningful changes, such as introducing smoke-free living policies throughout buildings. However, many Boards mistakenly assume they can enforce new rules without amending core documents. That can result in unenforceable policies and resident disputes.

With Schneider Buchel’s guidance, Boards gain clarity on when a policy can be implemented as a rule—and when a formal amendment is required. We’re here to help you avoid missteps and ensure your governing documents remain legally sound.

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Reasonable Accommodations

Co-op Boards frequently face legal and logistical challenges surrounding accommodation and modification requests. When these issues are not handled properly, the risk of litigation and regulatory penalties increases substantially.

Legal Guidance on Common Accommodation Issues

Whether it’s emotional support animal exceptions in pet-restricted buildings or accessibility modifications such as handicap ramps or designated parking, our attorneys are highly skilled in helping Boards respond appropriately. Schneider Buchel is well-versed in Federal, State, and local discrimination laws and has a proven record in successfully defending claims and complaints.

Marc H. Schneider, Esq. has lectured extensively on these matters and is regarded as an authority in housing discrimination issues. We are often retained by insurance carriers to defend Co-ops in disputes involving accommodation-related allegations.

Prevention Through Policy and Documentation

Our team also helps Co-ops proactively reduce risk by drafting governing documents that align with the law and clearly outline responsibilities. This proactive approach is often the best defense against potential claims.

By consulting our attorneys as soon as a request is received, Boards gain clarity and avoid missteps that can lead to liability. If litigation becomes necessary, our experienced trial team is ready to defend the Co-op’s interests through resolution.

Preeminent Specialists Meet Our Attorney Teams

At Schneider Buchel, every attorney is focused on a specific area of Community Association Law. When legal issues arise, you don’t get a generalist. Here, you get a coordinated team of legal specialists, each bringing deep experience in their field. Whether it’s day-to-day governance, contract negotiation, or complex litigation, you have the right attorney with the right experience working to protect your community’s interest and deliver the legal outcome you need.

Transactional
Landlord, Tenant & Foreclosures
Real Estate
Litigation
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Transactional Department:

Handles all day-to-day legal needs, including governance and contract matters.

Landlord, Tenant & Foreclosures Department:

Manages complex disputes and represents boards and associations in court.

Real Estate Department:

Specialists in all real estate transactions—drafting and negotiating leases, closings, etc.

Litigation Department:

Manages complex disputes and represents boards and associations in court.

Justin S. Buchel

Partner

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George J. Mullane

Foreclosure and Landlord/Tenant Department Chair

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Cassidy R. Kalmenson

Landlord Tenant Litigation Attorney

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Ivana Garbowski

Foreclosure Attorney

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Jason Goodman

Transactional Department Chair

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Jason Mohabir

Landlord Tenant Litigation Attorney

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Mitchell J. Flachner

Litigation Department Chair

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Amy Zamir

Attorney

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Pete Weintraub

Attorney

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Sloan Zarkin

Attorney

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Suzanne Player

Foreclosure Attorney

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Vanessa Wilcox

Attorney

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Victoria M. Waller

Real Estate Department Chair

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Jennifer Anderson

Paralegal

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Idalia Innocent

Paralegal

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Margarita Morales

Paralegal

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Meet Our Founder & CEO Marc H. Schneider, Esq

Having served as a Board President of a community association himself, Marc knows firsthand the unique needs of associations and what it takes to protect and elevate a community for all. He built his entire New York law practice around meeting and solving these needs. Today Schneider Buchel is very much a reflection of Marc’s personal affection for and sense of commitment to the people who manage community associations.

Group icon media Former Board President of a NY Community Assn.
Work icon media Three Decades of Community Law Experience
Co-Chair icon media Co-Chair NY State Bar Condo & Co-Op Committee
Building icon media Council of New York Co-Ops & Condos Member

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Protect Your Community Practical, Reliable Legal Advice.

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Regulatory Agencies and Code Mandates

Code compliance isn’t just about avoiding penalties—it’s about long-term operational stability. Our attorneys support Co-op and Condominium Boards by providing proactive guidance regarding evolving regulations and local mandates. We monitor legal developments and help clients understand how changes apply to their buildings. From routine filings to defending against code violations, we’re equipped to handle it all. When enforcement issues arise, we’re prepared to litigate or negotiate with the relevant agency to minimize liability and protect your community’s interests.

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Construction Defect Litigation

When a newly constructed community association shifts from sponsor to homeowner control, hidden construction defects often come to light. These problems may include leaks, structural faults, or poorly installed systems that require immediate legal and technical evaluation.

Comprehensive Legal and Technical Strategy

Our litigation attorneys guide Boards through each step—from hiring independent engineers to ensuring all warranty claims are properly submitted. We know how to comply with offering plan requirements and prepare documentation that strengthens a case from the outset.

Pursuing Remedies and Accountability

When necessary, we initiate litigation against developers or contractors to secure the compensation your association deserves. Our legal services include filing lawsuits, managing expert testimony, and representing Boards through the entire appeals process if needed.

We also represent associations facing issues with current contractors who fail to fulfill agreements or deliver subpar work. Our attorneys offer timely advice to mitigate losses and protect the association from further risk.

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What Makes Co-op Law Different

Co-op owners do not hold title to real property. Instead, they purchase shares in a corporation and lease the apartment through a Proprietary Lease. This makes them both shareholders and tenants—a structure distinct from condominium and HOA arrangements.

Board approval is generally required for unit purchases or sublets. These decisions are guided by the Co-op’s legal documents, including its By-Laws and House Rules.

Specialized Legal Contexts

Many Co-ops were established under the Private Housing Finance Law. Communities created under Article II or XI often serve low- or middle-income populations and must adhere to additional government rules and reporting procedures.

Schneider Buchel is experienced in helping these communities meet their legal and operational responsibilities. We provide support with document drafting, dispute resolution, and governance education, ensuring Boards remain compliant and effective. Our attorneys also assist 55+ Co-ops, which often face questions around fair housing, accommodations, and long-term maintenance planning. By focusing on both statutory obligations and community priorities, Schneider Buchel equips Co-ops to succeed in even the most challenging environments.

Board Meetings

The attorneys at Schneider Buchel are often present at Board and Community meetings to provide on-the-spot legal counsel, ensure proper conduct, and help Boards carry out their responsibilities with legal precision. We ensure that meetings are run in a way that reduces exposure to future challenges and that elections are handled fairly and transparently.

When shareholder votes are needed to approve amendments to the governing documents, our attorneys guide Boards on how to structure their efforts and achieve the required support. By partnering with Schneider Buchel, Boards gain an experienced legal presence that strengthens their position during every decision-making process.

Insurance Carriers

Insurance carriers frequently choose Schneider Buchel’s seasoned co-op law attorneys in Long Island to defend Community Associations across New York. We bring years of experience handling Co-op litigation, including both defense and resolution of claims involving maintenance issues, governance disputes, and regulatory challenges. Insurance providers continue to trust our firm due to our reliable and effective litigation strategies.

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Connect With a Co-Op Lawyer Serving Long Island

Co-op communities on Long Island rely on Schneider Buchel for knowledgeable, detail-oriented legal counsel. We represent Co-ops across Nassau and Suffolk Counties, offering personalized support in disputes, governance, and compliance. Our attorneys have decades of experience handling complex matters that Co-ops encounter daily. Clients consistently return to us because we deliver results and practical solutions. If your Long Island Co-op is facing legal or operational concerns, reach out today. Schedule a consultation by calling us or completing a brief contact form to get started with experienced Co-op counsel.

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Woodbury, NY 11797
Call on the phone at +1 516.990.3707
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