AI has condominium communities talking. Some people feel apprehensive about the new technology, while others are excited about the possibilities. But everyone can agree that AI isn't going anywhere. Regardless of how you feel about it, it's important to understand the possibilities, best practices, and consequences of improper use...

As a property manager who has seen the condo world evolve from handwritten logs and bulletin boards to cloud-based systems and mobile apps, I can tell you this: technology is a game-changer—but only if we're ready to play smart and safe.

For much of the last 80 years, closed-circuit television systems were used to capture moments in time, allowing individuals to look back and review events after the fact. While there have been multiple advancements in video surveillance, condominiums have been slow to adopt them because of limited resources like time and money, lack of general awareness of new technologies, and hesitation to replace existing systems.

Suppose you are a property manager or board member of a condominium corporation. A unit owner refuses to comply with its obligations under the Condominium Act, 1998, S.O. 1998 c. 19 (the “Act”). What are your options? This scenario came before the Ontario Court of Appeal in the recent decision of Halton Condominium Corporation No 61 v. Kolarovaliev, 2024 ONCA 848 (“Halton Condominium”), which involved a dispute between a resident and the condominium corporation over a no smoking rule.

As the landscape of condominium management continues to evolve, our role as stewards of these communities has never been more important. From adapting to new regulations to embracing innovative technologies, we strive to enhance residents' quality of life and ensure the sustainability of our buildings.

In today's technology-driven lifestyle, enhancing digital automation has become a priority for increasing efficiency and boosting resident engagement. Cutting-edge automation technology now allows the automation of multiple tasks, such as scheduling repairs, monitoring building systems and communications with residents. This timely, automated approach can result in faster response times and improved resident experience while lowering operational costs.

Managing communication in condominium communities is not always an easy task. From resident complaints to policy enforcement, managers often balance diplomacy, clarity, and time constraints—all while under significant pressure. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help.

When a cardiac emergency strikes, time is everything. A person can experience sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) without warning signs. Survival rates decrease by 7–10% for every minute that defibrillation is delayed for a person experiencing SCA. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) have long been recognized as essential life-saving tools in public places, including residential buildings.

Condominiums today face security challenges such as theft, unauthorized access, property damage, and illegal activities — sometimes by owners, residents, or visitors. To address this, many condominium boards are adopting modern technologies that combine artificial intelligence ("AI"), cybersecurity, and real-time human response to create safer living environments. Three key technologies helping to prevent crime are intelligent smoke alarms, AI-powered CCTV cameras, and integrated video monitoring with a security response team.

Condominium management is growing more complex, and traditional tools are no longer enough to meet today's operational, safety, and regulatory demands. From evolving fire code standards to rising expectations from boards and residents, managers are being asked to do more with fewer resources and tighter timelines. In addition, employees now expect automation in the workplace.

A quick glance at what’s happening with ACMO and the condominium industry.

Property management companies are increasingly becoming prime targets for cybercrime, not because of the sensitive data they handle, but because their cyber defences are less sophisticated than those of larger organizations, making them easier to penetrate. Property management companies need to take proactive steps now to protect themselves, their team and their customers from becoming victims of cybercrime to minimize their risk exposure and protect themselves from the bait.

With technology and the internet within reach at any given time, the expectations for the immediacy with which you can get information, answers to your questions, or even products delivered to your homes have drastically changed. And how that information is delivered has changed, too. People want an app for everything.