Dianne Ackerman

If you haven't seen your elderly neighbor in a while, but notice others going in and out of his apartment, ask the building staff, doorman, or those visiting the apartment what's going on.

You have the right to have a roommate—or your boyfriend or girlfriend—move in with you if live in a privately owned NYC building, and if you are the only person who signed your lease.

Some NYC pet-friendly buildings want to sign off on your dog's breed and/or size before you purchase or adopt, so be clear on what the rules are in your building.

If there is a fire or flood in the building, it is imperative that someone has access to your apartment, Ms. Demeanor explains. New York State Multiple Dwelling Law requires you to provide management with a key to your apartment.

Ms. Demeanor has some suggestions for making residents follow a building's no-smoking policy.

Ms. Demeanor weighs in on how a board balances including shareholders in the process with getting a job like renovating a lobby done on schedule.