(no subject)

[doyle]

1) The things you learn while making last-minute changes to your Yuletide sign-up: a Noel Streatfeild book I haven't read, White Boots, features a character called Lalla Ward. Imagine my disappointment when I remembered how many years ago it must have been written and that it couldn't possibly be strange Doctor Who RPF. (ETA: okay, my final requests were two f/f and two m/m. I pruned some of the fandoms I wasn't certain I'd be able to come up with a story for but have a feeling I'm going to regret rashly offering 'any' for RPF - Historical. Eep.)

2) A cultural difference that has me stumped: we're watching Sex in the City and Carrie is moaning about having to move because her building is becoming a co-op. Assuming she hasn't been bought out by the UK supermarket chain, what's she on about?

Comments

[midnitemaraud-r.livejournal.com]

A Co-op (which just means cooperative) is very similar to a condominium - you have to buy the apartment instead of renting it. The difference is that with a condo, you actually own the apartment itself - real property. With a co-op, it's a corporation that owns the building and each apartment is allotted a number of shares. For instance, my co-op apartment is worth/equivalent to @964 shares. I don't actually own real property, I own shares in the corporation which equates to one Junior4 apartment.

When your apartment building goes co-op (or condo) you have to buy it in order to stay.

[midnitemaraud-r.livejournal.com]

Also, there are rules each owner has to abide by with regard to selling and subletting. My building in particular only allows you to sublet (rent) your apartment for a period of two years. The Shareholders elect a Board and there's also a managing agent who oversees the financial aspects. When you submit a bid to buy, you have to be approved by the Board before you can actually purchase, and you also need to get Board permission to sell.