Serving Long Island with Trusted Condominium Law Counsel

Schneider Buchel’s dedicated condo association attorneys in Long Island help boards handle the intricacies of condominium governance. Whether it’s enforcing bylaws, collecting unpaid assessments, or managing litigation, we provide experienced, local representation that simplifies your responsibilities and protects your community.

Non-Payment of the Monthly Common Charges and Assessments

One of the most common problems Boards face is the non-payment of common charges or assessments. These missed payments can quickly lead to budget shortfalls, delayed projects, and even reduced services.

Legal Guidance You Can Rely On

Our attorneys focus on condominium lien enforcement and collection litigation. We file and foreclose on liens in full compliance with state law, protecting your right to recover everything owed—including legal fees and statutory interest.

Beyond litigation, we support Boards with sound advice on managing post-foreclosure outcomes. That may include pursuing a buyout from a mortgage lender or structuring a temporary rental agreement while the unit is marketed for sale.

With our help, your Board gains clarity, strategy, and execution. We expedite each case without compromising thoroughness or compliance. From initial notice to final recovery, our process helps Condominiums recover funds efficiently—often preserving relationships with unit owners where possible.

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Reasonable Accommodations and/or Modification Requests

Requests for modifications or accommodations—such as emotional support animals, wheelchair ramps, or reserved parking—are among the most sensitive legal issues Condominium Boards encounter. Mishandling these requests can trigger fair housing complaints and financial liability.

A Team Known for Experience and Guidance

Our firm regularly advises Boards on how to handle requests under the Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and applicable local laws. Marc H. Schneider, Esq., is a leading voice in this field and regularly speaks to boards and legal groups on the topic.

We help Boards assess accommodation requests objectively, determine what is legally required, and implement policy updates that meet compliance standards.

From Consultation to Defense, We’re Ready

Many discrimination claims arise from avoidable missteps. That’s why our firm gets involved as early as possible—before a denial turns into litigation. We assist in preparing legally compliant responses, facilitate resolution when possible, and defend Boards when challenges are filed.

Our approach is both proactive and strategic, combining legal precision with real-world understanding. We’ve successfully helped numerous associations navigate these high-stakes disputes while protecting community integrity.

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Application of the Business Judgment Rule and Board Decision-Making

With a focus on governance integrity, Schneider Buchel advises boards on using the business judgment rule to guide policy decisions. Our legal team works closely with directors to assess risks, meet fiduciary standards, and document rationale, enabling them to act confidently in the community’s best interest while remaining protected under the law.

Office Tour New York’s Leading Community Association Law Firm

Schneider Buchel LLP proudly serves community associations statewide with offices in Long Island, New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Saratoga. From these six locations, our attorneys provide trusted legal counsel to boards across all 62 counties in New York State. Wherever your community is located, our team is equipped to deliver the focused guidance and efficient solutions your association needs to thrive.

Construction Defect Litigation

When community associations assume control from the sponsor, they often discover serious construction defects. These problems are common and can threaten property values, safety, and long-term operations if not addressed promptly.

Helping Boards Navigate a Complex Process

Our litigation attorneys are highly experienced in managing defect claims. We assist boards with identifying qualified professionals—such as engineers—to evaluate problems, preserve evidence, and properly pursue warranty obligations. We also ensure all notice requirements, such as warranty claim forms under the offering plan, are fulfilled.

We handle every aspect of litigation, from pre-suit coordination to final appeals if needed. Our team works closely with the experts to build strong cases aimed at achieving lasting repairs or financial recovery.

Holding Contractors Accountable

We also represent associations dealing with failed construction by vendors hired directly by the board. If your contractor breached the agreement, failed to perform, or delivered substandard work, our attorneys can take swift legal action.

While our goal is always to resolve disputes efficiently and without litigation when possible, we’re fully equipped to represent your association in court when necessary. With Schneider Buchel, your board gains a results-driven legal partner focused on protecting your property and your interests.

Repair, Improvements, and Other Contracts

Community association Boards often manage large-scale projects—roofing, paving, engineering consulting, and Local Law 11 compliance among them. Our firm routinely drafts and negotiates contracts for these undertakings with a clear focus on protecting our clients from risk.

Why Legal Oversight Matters

Too often, Boards sign contractor proposals without consulting an attorney, unaware of the fine print that shifts liability or omits critical protections. These shortcuts may lead to disputes or uncovered losses when issues arise. Our attorneys step in to ensure contracts are enforceable and protective from the outset. We include insurance, indemnification, dispute resolution, and timeline clauses that anticipate complications before they occur. With Schneider Buchel’s proactive approach, your Board avoids unnecessary legal exposure and gains clarity on vendor responsibilities.

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Protect Your Community Practical, Reliable Legal Advice.

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Our Condominium Law Attorneys Can Also Help You With

  • Dealing with regulatory agencies and code mandates
  • Unit owner-controlled board / sponsor-transition issues
  • Election issues, among others
  • Preparing contracts and financing for projects at the condominium
  • Issues concerning the interpretation of the condominium’s governing documents
  • Amendments to governing documents
  • Defending boards in litigation where Condominiums and their board members are sued

This has enabled our firm to have an advantage over other attorneys who represent Condominiums in that we have personal knowledge of the issues the boards typically face. This perspective, combined with our proactive approach to risk management, means we can also help our clients with a wide range of both legal and practical solutions.

What Makes Condo Law Different

Condominiums operate under a legal framework that grants owners full title to their individual units while binding them to a shared interest in the community’s common elements. Unit ownership is in fee simple and generally extends inward from the interior surfaces of walls, ceilings, and floors.

Each owner also holds a proportionate, undivided share of the property’s shared features, such as stairwells, lobbies, roofs, and possibly exclusive-use areas like patios.

Board Authority and Legal Obligations

The responsibility for day-to-day management and long-term oversight falls to the Board of Managers. This elected body must act in accordance with the community’s governing documents—typically a Declaration, By-Laws, and set of House Rules—and must also comply with the New York Condominium Act.

This Act outlines what must be included in a condo’s governing framework and provides critical statutory standards for interpretation and enforcement. Common charges are assessed based on each unit’s percentage interest, and failure to pay can lead to enforcement measures.

Because this dual structure of private governance and statutory regulation can be complex, legal interpretation is often necessary. Schneider Buchel offers tailored advice that helps Boards administer their duties effectively while protecting the rights of all unit owners.

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Going the Extra Mile

Board Meetings

At Schneider Buchel, we provide in‑person legal support at condominium board and community-wide meetings to ensure procedural compliance. Our attorneys guide the proper conduct of elections, votes on amendments, and other governance issues—all designed to defend board decisions against potential challenges. We ensure meetings are orderly, clearly documented, and fully consistent with governing law and the community’s documents.

We also pride ourselves on our collaborative approach. Recognizing that property managers, engineers, and consultants often support your operations, we engage with your full advisory team. By coordinating efforts, we help achieve smart, practical outcomes and avoid miscommunication or overlap.

Insurance Carriers

Our firm is regularly selected by insurance carriers to represent condominium associations in complex litigation. With our thorough understanding of condo law, we defend claims involving personal injury, construction defects, board decisions, and more. Whether in mediation, trial, or settlement, we bring clarity and strategy to each case.

Our ability to effectively resolve matters and manage litigation risk has made us a reliable choice for carriers handling large-scale or sensitive condominium cases. Schneider Buchel offers both sound legal representation and peace of mind for boards and insurers alike.

Let us help your association thrive—courtside and at the board table.

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Your Long Island Condo Association Lawyer

Serving HOAs and condo boards throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties, Schneider Buchel offers proactive legal representation built for Long Island communities. Whether you need help interpreting bylaws or handling lien enforcement, our condo association lawyers in Long Island deliver experienced, accessible guidance. Get in touch today to schedule a consultation and support your board’s long-term success.

Albany
Allegany
Bronx
Broome
Cattaraugus
Cayuga
Chautauqua
Chemung
Chenango
Clinton
Columbia
Cortland
Delaware
Dutchess
Erie
Essex
Franklin
Fulton
Genesee
Greene
Hamilton
Herkimer
Jefferson
Kings (Brooklyn)
Lewis
Livingston
Madison
Monroe
Montgomery
Nassau
New York (Manhattan)
Niagara
Oneida
Onondaga
Ontario
Orange
Orleans
Oswego
Otsego
Putnam
Queens
Rensselaer
Richmond (Staten Island)
Rockland
St. Lawrence
Saratoga
Schenectady
Schoharie
Schuyler
Seneca
Steuben
Suffolk
Sullivan
Tioga
Tompkins
Ulster
Warren
Washington
Wayne
Westchester
Wyoming
Yates
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