Dianne Ackerman

When it comes to paying your super for small jobs around your NYC apartment, it comes down to how small, or big, the task is and how much you tip the super during the holidays.

City living—with people stacked in little boxes above and below each other—requires a different mindset. You can’t expect the same level of quiet that you would get in a house in the suburbs. 

When a neighbor continuously floods your bathroom, or does anything that puts you and the rest of the building's tenants at risk, it's essential for building management to enforce the house rules for everyone's protection.

If the children who live above you make too much noise, try a friendly conversation with their parents first—but if it continues early in the morning or late at night, take it to your board.

Your co-op is probably your biggest investment, so it makes sense that you would want your co-op board to be doing right by you. Here are the ways you can keep tabs on what's going on.

Every building has someone who says "I've got a guy" who can get a deal on a product or service—but Ms. Demeanor reminds a board member not to circumvent the vetting process.