I Want to Use a Co-op as a Pied-à-Terre. Do I Need to Tell the Board?

Herrick Real Estate partner, Andrew B. Freedland, was quoted in The New York Times "Ask Real Estate" column addressing a reader's question regarding the process of purchasing a pied-à-terre in a cooperative building where they would like to have relatives or friends stay.

The article noted a buyer needs to ensure that using the apartment as an occasional home is "permitted in the co-op’s proprietary lease and the co-op's house rules." But this might be tough to find, said Andrew.

"I can tell you that the overwhelming majority of them would not be OK with various relatives coming in and out of an apartment when the lessee is not there," Andrew explained. "I would be very cautious about this sort of setup."

The article also highlighted that many NYC residential buildings had restrictions barring overnight guests long before the city passed Local Law 18 in 2023. 

One might consider a condominium instead; the rules might be more flexible when it comes to overnight guests when you aren’t there, Andrew said.

Click here to read the full article in The New York Times. Access may require a subscription.