As more buildings in the GTA age, the risk for major issues such as water damage rises. Here we explore the world of condo insurance and why now is the time your condo board should plan for insurance challenges. Insurable Losses and Your Reserve Fund Your reserve fund pays for “foreseeable” major repairs and replacements…

While the entire city of Toronto lets out a collective sigh of relief as restrictions ease, your condo board might find itself ill-prepared for the grand reopening condo amenities. Here we offer tips to help avoid mistakes as you prepare for the reopening. Keep Tabs On Progress Because the government is being extra cautious this…

Wondering what your condo workforce will look like post COVID? Here we offer tips for creating a hybrid model for a productive, happy workplace in the post-pandemic world. The Hybrid Model Although different expectations from your management, staff, and residents can make the transition more difficult, it also presents a unique opportunity to create a…

Deep energy retrofits can save your condo as much as 60% or more on energy costs. Here’s an easy overview of deep retrofits and how to implement them efficiently. How to Identify Triggers for Deep Retrofits Deep retrofits are extensive upgrades, addressing issues with your building’s energy efficiency. Knowing when to implement the capital improvements…

Reserve Fund Studies provide important guidance for your board’s financing and maintenance plans. As such, you want to know your reserve fund study provider gives you as many insights as possible. Here we offer tips to help you find the best reserve fund study provider for the job. When Reserve Fund Study Providers Consider Inflation…

If your condo’s parking garage is over 20-years old, you should develop a five-year schedule for condition assessments. This proactive approach allows you to make incremental repairs resulting in more manageable garage maintenance costs. Here are the tests you should be applying every five years. Delamination Testing: Chain Drag and/or Hammer Tap Survey While this…

A trend toward urban agriculture and condo gardens is opening up new concepts for condo designers. It’s also opening up new avenues for condo boards to discuss the option to create condo community gardens. However, with new concepts come unexpected challenges. Here are some tips to help your condo board avoid those challenges when creating…

Energy-efficiency retrofits are meant to upgrade your property’s energy-consuming systems. In order to meet the needs of varying types of properties, there are different levels of energy retrofits. Below we cover the levels of retrofits and a worry-free way to embrace your energy retrofit initiatives. The Levels of Energy Retrofits There are three levels of…

The Value for Money Audit was conducted by the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services. The survey was designed to spot shortcomings regarding the implementation of the reforms made to the Condo Act. It also looked at the role of both the Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario (CMRAO) and Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO).…

Smoking complaints – they happen in every condo. The question of smoking in condos continues to fuel the flames of conflict for condo dwellers. As a result, condo boards should understand what they can do when complaints arise. Here are 10 things condo boards should know about smoking complaints. 1) Smoke Free Buildings to Curb…

Fire safety in condos is key. Which means condo boards should know the minimum requirements for fire safety in Ontario. Governed by the Fire Code O. Reg. 213/07, under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, fire safety applies to condos with 10 or more occupants. Here are five important facts every condo board member…

You would think regular reserve fund studies help condo boards avoid underfunding their reserve funds. However, many boards contribute the bare minimum of 10% of the operating budget towards the reserve fund in accordance with the Condo Act. As a result, underfunding poses long-term financial problems difficult for boards to resolve. Here’s how reserve fund…

Reserve fund studies provide a great opportunity to find upgrade projects for your condo corporation that also reduce your energy costs. Here’s why energy efficiency is relevant to your condo’s reserve fund studies. Reductions in Utility Bills in Reserve Fund Studies As a member of your condo’s board of directors, your goal is to identify…

According to the Toronto Real Estate Board, 2020 third quarter condo resales increased by 10.5 percent in the GTA. This is good news, but it comes with one caveat: New listings increased by 84.6 percent. That presents steep competition when condo owners decide to sell. Therefore, board members should keep in mind the important role…

Reserve fund study considers the life span of each component in a condo development. This helps condo boards forecast costs for repairs or replacements down the line. The Condo Act only requires a 30-year plan outlining future needs. However, looking beyond that 30-year span provides valuable insight into some of the more costly repairs and…

Your condo status certificate is reviewed by the lawyers of potential buyers. A healthy certificate encourages people to sign on the dotted line. Therefore your condo board should know how to avoid the following status certificate red flags. High or Rising Common Expenses High or rising common expenses can discourage buyers on tight budgets. While…

A condo concierge service provider has a difficult job. While most serve as a monitor for the comings and goings of the building, the lines of their role are easily blurred. As a result, some concierges see themselves as authority figures, yet others feel more like receptionists. This can put a strain on concierge and…

Condo owner disputes happen. And it can happen in any condo. Though when not properly handled, they can lead to costly, time-consuming condo lawsuits. However, if you are familiar with the top five lawsuits condo boards and Toronto and the GTA property management companies face, you can take steps to avoid them. 1. Failure to…

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…

Check out our latest feature in the Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario (ACMO) Condominium Manager magazine, where we discuss the impact of governance and management on the condominium lifestyle. Key takeaways from our discussion in the article are: A united front between the condo boards and the property managers is vital in meeting the…

The moment your condo board encounters an owner dispute – you want a resolution pronto. Conflict and disagreements can lead to legal battles and more time and money spent. The Condo Authority of Ontario (CAO) provides support to condo owners and board members to help create happier, healthier condo communities. Not surprisingly, one of their…

Great news for condo communities in the GTA. The new CAO disputes policy has made it easier to resolve disputes for condo communities across the province. An amendment to the Condo Act expands jurisdiction to the Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO) to resolve disputes quickly. Expansion to the list of disputes came into effect on…

Nothing makes condo owners happier than seeing their hard-earned dollars at work. When you ensure your condo winter maintenance is well-managed, residents feel their property is being cared for and their common element fees are being used wisely. Here’s how to keep residents smiling even when the bitter cold of winter is upon us. Secure…

Condo corporations are under the gun as complaints of broken elevators rise. However, a shortage of trained elevator technicians in Toronto continues to compound the issue. Even simple repairs can put a condo elevator out of commission for days. As a result, condo boards feel the wrath of condo residents tired of the inconvenience. If…

The way COVID-19 affected Toronto property managers showed us all how important responsive management is in the industry. Because we all tend to focus on day-to-day operations, this was a quick lesson that we still need a more proactive, strategic approach to property management. With this in mind, here are five critical property management trends…

Is your condo green? Want to jump on the bandwagon of green living? Many condo boards are pressured by residents to come up with green initiatives. However, some property management or board teams aren’t up on the green latest trends. And some are worried about the cost implications of new ideas. Fear not, as these…

The holidays can present unexpected issues difficult for a condo board to resolve. However, with a little planning and these tips, you can ensure these issues are avoided. Distributing Holiday Bonuses to a Condo Board Scenario It’s the season of giving and your condo board decides to hand out bonuses. However, residents aren’t happy their…

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…

To help new residents settle into a new condo community, the board of directors can do something to help the residents. This will ensure they adjust smoother, get to know the rules and bylaws, and not to mention feel at home a lot quicker. A condo welcome package is the easiest way to help owners…

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,…

When condo boards strike the right notes in their communication it can really help build a happier, more engaged community. While many condo boards stick to traditional newsletters as a means of condo communication with residents and unit owners, others are adding social media with mixed results. Social media is an excellent tool to keep…

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…

Condo boards and property management companies in Toronto all want a better community for their residents, without infringing on their rights and privacy. Communities in condos are diverse, providing homes to a wide variety of residents. This mix of people can offer a positive living experience. However, diversity often makes it difficult for board members…

Now that Ontario has entered Stage 3 reopening, it will be interesting to see how well we all manage. It has been hard for businesses and individuals to adjust to the changes the pandemic forced upon us. However, the change we did, and it seemed to work. Although it took much longer than expected, COVID-19…

Communication is key when living in a condo community. Board members and residents must use effective communication. However, when communities are diverse, language barriers are a common occurrence. Language barriers include more than a person’s language of origin. Barriers span from unfamiliar and complex terminology to linguistics and physical barriers to state of mind. To…

Today community diversity is more relevant than ever. Organizations that encourage employee contribution create a cooperative and inclusive environment. By celebrating the varied backgrounds of your team, everyone feels valued. They want to contribute more. With diversity your board members flourish sharing their skills and ideas. As a result, your community reaps the benefits. You…

Special assessments are a condo owner’s worst nightmare. The assessment presents an extra charge on top of monthly maintenance fees. Owners do not have approval over a special assessment. From an owner’s standpoint, an assessment is never a good thing. Most owners trust their monthly fees include a reserve fund to pay for unexpected projects…

One of the most important aspects of a condo board’s responsibilities is managing financials. This can be a challenge if condo boards don’t have a financial expert on the team. However, all boards have a budget prepared each year, usually by a condo management company. Condo management experts provide invaluable input when it comes to…

With self-isolation rules in place, your condo complex is working at full occupancy. That means residents might start to scrutinize their units a little more closely. They also might be using their appliances more often. These new norms could lead to issues with higher demand for “urgent” fixes. So what does the urgent services request…

Condo maintenance became a lot more challenging with the arrival of COVID-19. The City of Toronto calls for heavier duty cleansers and cleaning schedules. In addition, property management companies in Toronto and beyond have the responsibility to protect the most vulnerable residents in their condos. Here is a list of the residents most at risk…

In April 2020, Ontario Regulation 107/20 was amended to accommodate changes during the Covid-19 pandemic. This affects condo property management and includes guidelines on virtual condo meetings and voting. To help you to adapt to this new approach, here are 10 tips to run effective virtual meetings if you’re a condo adjusting to the new…

Understand why registering liens is critical to the health of your condo corporation The Common Expenses Fee (CEFs) collected from condominium owners manage the costs of maintaining your condominium’s common elements. When owners fail to pay their CEFs, it can make a huge impact on the effective management of the property. Therefore, even during crisis…

As a condo owner who’s been affected by the COVID-19 crisis, you might be looking to reduce your monthly expenses. In fact, with the shutdown of condominium amenities, many owners might feel they have a right when it comes to deferring Common Expense Fees (CEFs). Unfortunately, there aren’t any existing statutory provisions to guide condo…

The Ontario Government has issued an order for the closure of all non-essential workplaces during the COVID-19 crisis. Property management companies, boards of directors, and condo corporations that continue to operate and provide the essential services during these times need to clearly understand the specifics of the order. It’s important to ensure that you are…

The current situation and the social distancing rules makes it difficult for condominium boards and corporations to remain effective. Many condos have introduced telecommunication practices. However, this can present challenges when it comes to Annual General Meetings (AGMs), reaching quorum and voting situations. As a result, many condos are introducing an electronic means bylaw to…

As the coronavirus crisis continues, your condo corporation could come toe to toe with owners who feel that their common expense fees (CEFs) should be lowered or deferred. In fact, since their amenities have been cut off, owners might feel they no longer have to pay their CEFs at all. Unfortunately, this is not an…

As Ontario remains in almost full shutdown mode, condo management services have been deemed an essential service by the provincial government. While this is good news for your tenants, it can pose some challenges for your team. Your role has not changed, yet it might be more difficult for you to perform some of your…

As the City of Toronto extends its self-isolation initiatives, people living and working in condo communities are facing their own set of challenges. Property managers are required to ensure the safety of their tenants. But at the same time, they are also under the same self-isolation. And to complicate things even further, the essential versus…

Although the coronavirus seems to be spreading at a slower pace in Canada, it is important to remember it is still early days here. Therefore, condo managers and boards should have some policies in place to help reduce the spread. Condo residents might feel they are at higher risk due to living in closer quarters,…

When the infamous video of a young woman throwing a chair off an Airbnb balcony emerged last year, many Torontonians were up in arms over the dangers these short-term tenants present to the city. More recently, a triple murder and shooting sent shockwaves through the Lakeshore and Bathurst area condo community. While crime and partying…

Condo board elections take a lot of thought and consideration to ensure the board of directors is productive and effective. Finding great candidates for the role of a board member can be challenging. A board member must have a balance of honesty, experience and a sense of selflessness. This ensures the board is managed fairly.…

With the initial news that the deadly coronavirus was spreading in China, many Toronto residents couldn’t help but recall the SARS epidemic of 2003. However, after 438 probable and suspect SARS cases and 44 deaths in Canada from SARS, we have learned a lot about the spread of such viruses and are better equipped to…

Conflict between a Condo Board of Directors and residents is more common than you’d think. With so many players, it is inevitable that disagreements will arise on decisions made, issues with the condition of the building and even conflicts amongst neighbours. Trying to avoid conflict in the first place might be a good start, but…

Everything you need to know about reserve fund study. Whether you sit on a condo board of directors or own a condo, understanding the ins and outs of condo management can be a big benefit. One of the most important aspects of condo management is the reserve fund study. According to the Condominium Act, 1998…

Should you hire a property management company or can you manage your condo as a corporation? Looking for ways to cut corners in condo management can help your condo corporation remain ahead of the game financially. However, being wise in where you choose to slash costs is very important if you don’t want to increase…

Choosing the right property management company for your condo is one of the key decisions a condo board will ever make. Here is a proven strategy for selecting the best company to work with on managing your condo corporation. Condo board responsibilities First, let’s establish what condo corporations are responsible for. In Ontario, condos must…

The role and responsibilities of the Board in a condo corporation in the GTA  If you are considering joining a Board of Directors for a condo corporation in Toronto, there are many nuances to consider before making a commitment. First, understand the role of the board, what its’ members typically do, and their obligations.All condos…