Screaming Fights, Arbitrary Rejections, and Power-Hungry Cliques
Briefly

Co-op boards operate with considerable authority in high-demand real estate markets, making crucial decisions about residency and property modifications based on personal biases. This often leads to rejection of applicants for arbitrary reasons, including competition among board members. Despite numerous efforts to push for co-op transparency legislation, these initiatives regularly fail. Insight from current and former board members reveals intense conflicts and dramas within meetings, highlighting the precarious nature of co-op living in New York City, which is viewed as a notably unfavorable experience when compared to other living situations.
The allocation of apartment approvals in co-ops reflects a feudal-like power structure, revealing personal biases among board members that can affect potential residents.
Legislators have repeatedly attempted to enforce transparency in co-op boards, but proposed legislation often stalls, leaving the actual processes shrouded in mystery.
Witness accounts from current and former board members give insight into the inner workings of co-op meetings, revealing intense interpersonal drama and rivalry.
Living in a New York City co-op embodies a complex reality; it is termed the least desirable living situation, yet alternatives may be even worse.
Read at Curbed
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