Ask an Expert: Everybody wants to know how to handle their neighbors

It should come as no surprise that in our weekly Ask an Expert column—in which we field New Yorkers' most pressing real estate questions with the wisdom of a team of experts—a lot of the questions we receive have to do with neighbor-vs-neighbor disputes. From misbehaving pets to a disruptive renovation, we're rounding up some of the trickiest neighbor-related queries we've tackled over the past year:

• How to handle a neighbor whose apartment reeks so badly you can smell it in the halls (or worse, your own apartment).
• Why you can't be mad at your broker for failing to mention a rehab center located next to your new building.
• If your neighbors keep stealing your parking spot, go ahead and tattle.
• And if your other neighbor is doing a bunch of illegal construction work? Tattle on them, too.
• Could you compel your loud, stomping upstairs neighbors to put in carpeting? It's complicated.
• The delicate etiquette of putting in an offer on a recently-deceased neighbor's apartment.
• So, your neighbor's giant dogs are making a scene in the elevator ...
• Why a restraining order is a better idea than housing court if your neighbor is making you feel unsafe.
• What the board should ask a co-op resident who's trying to buy another apartment in the building. (Hint: Make sure they have the money.)
• Why it matters if your co-op neighbor tries to change their ownership to an LLC.

Trouble at home? Get your NYC apartment-dweller questions answered by an expert! Send us your questions.

See all Ask an Expert.