Most condo boards followed the ongoing struggle between “ghost hotels” operating through services such as Airbnb and housing advocates dead set against them. Following a battle that began in 2016, the advocates finally won out. On September 3, 2020, new laws cracking down on Toronto short-term rentals came into effect. New regulations now restrict short-term…

As pet owners, we love our pets. As a result, introducing new pet bylaws to pet owners can be tricky for condo boards. However, with a clear understanding of Section 58 of the Condominium Act, you can successfully pass new pet bylaws with little opposition. The Condo Act and Pet Bylaws Your biggest challenge for…

And just like that, Halloween decor is out. Winter holiday decoration is in. But interestingly, many condo residents don’t know their board of directors has the right to limit holiday decoration. Because of this, condo boards should help residents understand what they can and can’t do. Without putting a damper on celebrations, clear communication helps…

Owner-requisitioned meetings are called by the owners of the condo corporation. They can catch your board unawares, as they often involve “touchy” topics. If your board receives a meeting requisition, it’s important to respond on time. Here’s how to effectively manage owner-requisitioned meetings. Why are Owner-requisitioned Meetings Called? The most common reasons owners call a…

Condo boards are often the unsung heroes of the condo community. They step up to bat to help ensure the needs of the community are met. However, they sacrifice their own time in the process. While the early days of condo boards participation can be quite exciting, as time goes on the demands can wear…

When condo boards become overtaxed, it makes it difficult to remain productive. As a result, many important tasks can fall by the wayside. Budget management, social planning, and fee collection are areas where boards can fall behind. Luckily, condo boards have an excellent resource available in their fellow residents. Creating condo committees to assist with…

Volunteering as a condo board member can be exhausting. The amount of work required tends to be more than condo board members can imagine. As a result, board members and directors are at risk of burnout. For condo boards to become more cohesive it takes continuity. However, when board members burn out, you face endless…

As a condo board member, your job is tough. You need to represent your community while not letting your own needs or beliefs fog your judgement. As well, every penny you spend ultimately must improve the value of the condo. All this while you selflessly volunteer your time. With so much riding on your actions,…

One in five Canadians over the age of 18 will face mental health issues or mental illness in their lives. These numbers include 2.5 million Canadians who will experience a depressive disorder. With numbers so high, property management companies in Toronto and condo boards should be prepared to cope with mental health disorders within their…

When Ontario introduced its Energy & Water Reporting and Benchmarking (EWRB) regulation it was a wakeup call to many property management companies and condo boards given that energy waste in condos is such a critical issue. Essentially, it enabled condos to better track energy waste and use and get better at identifying efficiencies. Multi-unit residential…