Condominium Manager Magazine

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.

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.

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.

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.

Maybe it isn’t a problem to be solved; maybe it’s a paradigm to be managed. A paradigm is a standard, or frame work, or a set of ideas. As I commuted to yet another meet ing, as we all do, I came across this quote in a podcast I was listening to featuring Brene Brown and Esther Perel (I adore each and recommend all of their content by the way). If I were reading a book, I would have dog-eared the corner or highlighted the phrase. This one sentence struck me as the key to better everything in Condoland.

Condominium living embodies a delicate balance between individual rights and collective harmony, a balance often tested when residents exhibit extreme behavior which might be linked to mental health factors. While empathy and accommodation are vital, recent Ontario case law underscores a stark reality: when actions threaten communal safety, legal intervention is not just warranted but imperative.

The condominium lifestyle offers unique advantages, including convenience, shared amenities, and a sense of community. However, high-density living can also present distinct challenges. Noise disputes, interpersonal conflicts, and feel ings of isolation can arise, creating stress for both residents and condominium managers. These issues highlight a critical but often overlooked connection...

Condominium management is a demanding profession that requires resilience, adaptability, and the ability to juggle multiple responsibilities. Imagine starting the day with a flood in a common area, juggling urgent calls from residents, coordinating emergency repairs, and ensuring insurance claims are filed—all before lunch. Later, a heated dispute between neighbours escalates, requiring immediate mediation.

In today's fast-paced world, the well-being of condominium communities hinges on the delicate balance between mental health and community safety. This article delves into the critical connection between these two aspects, offering a comprehensive guide for condominium managers. It presents effective strategies to manage stress, build resilience, and handle conflicts ethically and effectively.

Condominiums are far more than just buildings—they're vibrant communities where people live, work, and seek comfort and security. While keeping a building's physical infrastructure in good shape is essential, creating an environment that promotes mental and physical well-being is equally important. When engineers design with residents in mind, they help foster a sense of safety, reduce stress, and build stronger, more resilient communities.

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.