Q: I reside in an Higher West Facet co-op constructing with about 80 flats and a 24-hour doorman. In the course of the pandemic, our constructing restricted takeout meals deliveries, holding them on the entrance desk for residents to fetch themselves, fairly than letting the supply staff convey them to our doorways. Whereas different buildings have reversed comparable insurance policies, my constructing’s board has refused to revive door-to-door supply, solely saying some residents don’t just like the service. Loads of us wish to get takeout meals delivered to our doorways in our pajamas once more. Does the board have the correct to completely revoke this service?
A: Few companies are extra treasured amongst New Yorkers than having dinner delivered to your residence door.
“It’s one of many perks of dwelling in a constructing with a doorman,” stated Debra J. Guzov, a Manhattan lawyer who represents co-ops and rental boards.
Most buildings revoked the service in the course of the pandemic to restrict exterior guests. However by now, the bulk have restored it, stated Dan Wurtzel, the president of FirstService Residential New York, which manages about 600 residential buildings. Those that haven’t typically cite safety issues or staffing points. Some residents balk at the concept that supply individuals might wander the halls unattended.
Supply tradition has modified with the proliferation of on-line companies like DoorDash and Seamless, which changed in-house supply staff. “None of those eating places are utilizing their very own staff to ship” anymore, Mr. Wurtzel stated. “There was a rapport, however now it’s a special particular person” for each supply.
With that familiarity gone, administration is perhaps reluctant to let simply anybody into the constructing. As a substitute, constructing workers might take the supply to your residence, however then one other staffer must cowl the entrance door.
If you need the service again, ask for it. Examine the home guidelines to see if any exist about deliveries. For those who discover one, name the managing agent and ask that or not it’s restored. For those who don’t, you and your neighbors ought to write the board asking for one to be enacted, or name the managing agent and ask somebody to talk with the board about discovering a option to resolve the difficulty.
“Home guidelines are speculated to assist the pursuits of particular person shareholders, but in addition the group at giant within the constructing,” Ms. Guzov stated. “One might argue that it’s in one of the best curiosity of the constructing to assist this service.”
For weekly electronic mail updates on residential actual property information, enroll right here.
