There are several windows open on your screen: the last issue of a Condo Magazine, Outlook, the property manager software, a corporation's Declaration, a set of rules, a unit file, and the Excel spreadsheet where you, the property manager, is attempting to complete a budget. On your desk are copies of contracts, the Condo Act, one agenda, unread correspondence, some invoices, a printed Balance Sheet, past Financial Statements, a notebook, and a handful of Post-it notes with scribbles.

Condominium living brings together people from diverse backgrounds to share a common space, fostering a sense of community while also introducing unique challenges. Among these chal lenges, mental health stands out as a vital component in ensuring a safe and harmo nious environment. Mental health in a condo setting isn’t just about individual well-being—it’s about the collective health of the community and the relationships between key stakeholders: residents, the board of directors, and the condo manager.

The Condominium Act, 1998 contains pathways for solving many complicated issues related to condominium operation, like governance, repairs and maintenance, sale or lease of units, meetings and voting and more. But there's one important way that the Act falls short. It fails to address the complexities and inefficiencies associated with levying, disputing and collecting chargebacks of certain costs as additional common expenses.

The board of directors of a condominium corporation in Ontario have significant responsibilities, particularly regarding reserve funds. The board of directors must collect and manage these funds prudently and in compliance with the Condominium Act...

Managers must quickly adapt to the new changes to Ontario’s Construction Act which address four key priorities: mandating the annual release of holdback amounts, expiry of liens, new information required for a “proper invoice” and a new system for access to adjudication...

In June 2023, Bill 91 (“Less Red Tape, Stronger Economy Act, 2023”) received Royal Assent. This Act implemented amendments to various pieces of legislation, including the Condominium Act, 1998. On October 1, 2023, the changes relevant to the Condominium Act, 1998 came into force. The primary purpose of the changes was to...

There are more than 13,000 condo corporations in Ontario, and some 70,000 people serve as members of their boards. With disputes ranging from special assessments to construction deficiencies and even human rights claims, lawsuits involving condo corporations are on the rise in Ontario. It's more important than ever to ensure that your condominium corporation has a robust legal defence insurance policy...

Ontario’s fast-growing condominium market has long been the focus of increasing regulation to improve governance, transparency, and accountability. While these rules are a win for condo owners and tenants, they often overlook a crucial group at the heart of this growing industry: condominium managers. These professionals are responsible for maintaining the day-to-day operations in buildings that can house hundreds of residents.

For businesses, the question “Does it pay to be green?” is increasingly answered with a resounding “yes.” Commercial real estate projects are being constructed to meet rigorous LEED standards, while logistics companies are electrifying their fleets, and municipali-ties are even embracing energy-efficient LED lighting on a massive scale. But for condominium boards and property managers, the decision to go green isn’t quite as clear-cut...

As environmental sustainability becomes a priority for condominium boards, finding effective ways to measure and achieve this goal is essential. With a multitude of products and technologies available, condo boards face the challenge of choosing the right tools to ensure successful results. This article will consider how a building can enhance its current system to track, monitor, and measure its performance to ensure an advantageous outcome.

As condominium lawyers, our office has observed a noticeable increase in incidents of workplace violence and harassment affecting condominium managers, staff, and volunteer directors. Now, more than ever, condominium managers must be prepared to deal with incidents of violence and harassment, and to ensure that adequate policies are in place, and that staff have received adequate training to be able to respond appropriately and safely...

Condominium Management is a profession that, although it is almost 50 years old, is also very much in its infancy.  The changes that the Ontario government introduced in 2017 served as a reset for our profession.  The introduction of licensing began a new era that began to draw young people to the profession and frankly provided incentive for others to search for new opportunities outside of the management profession.

Clarifying a common misconception about the use of arbitration to resolve condominium conflict.

An advice column where you can ask any question or share a difficult situation relating to condominium management anonymously, and we will endeavour to find an appropriate expert in the field and publish an answer with some advice. Ask the hard questions you may have been afraid to ask for fear of repercussions. Your full name or company will never be published or shared.