There are major changes to the old Construction Lien Act that will significantly affect Ontario condominiums. Amendments have been passed that will modernize the Act, help ensure that businesses and workers get paid on time, and help ensure that payment disputes are addressed quickly. 

As someone who has been in the security and concierge industry for over 20 years and who works closely with condominium managers, it is my responsibility to not only bring awareness to issues that attract liability, protect property/ assets or adversely reflect the image of the corporations we service, but I must also recommend training programs and procedures that will assist condominium managers in the preservation of human life.

Communication has an important, and often underrated, role to play in conflict management. As many condominium managers already know, good communication is a key tool in resolving disputes and may even prevent disputes from arising in the first place.

On January 1, 2018, Ontario’s minimum wage will increase from $11.40 an hour to $14.00 an hour. A year later, Ontarians will host one of the highest minimum wages in Canada, coming in at $15.00 an hour. Without a doubt, the plan is great news for those struggling to make ends meet; however, the pace at which the hike is scheduled is worrisome. 

Over the last six years I have spoken about the benefits of passing a Standard Unit Bylaw (SUB) at numerous Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and town hall meetings. At these meetings there is one common overriding theme which is, the unit owners feel that the corporations are trying to put them at a disadvantage; because of this belief these meeting are usually very emotional.

During the case law update session held at the Toronto Congress Centre on September 15, 2017, Bob Gardiner, Tim Duggan, Antoni Castlinuovo and Bradley Chaplick analyzed the key points arising from 16 of the most informative legal cases of 2017 to date. They also discussed each of their Top Tips, further explained below.

Condominiums depend on common element fees collected from homeowners to fulfil their financial obligations. When homeowners are delinquent with their payments, this may lead to a shortage of cash in the bank, which may present financial challenges for the corporation.

Now that spring weather is upon us it is a great time to turn our attention to the care of trees and shrubs in our landscapes. Our woody plants are often overlooked for the many benefits they provide. Try to imagine your property without its trees and shrubs. No cooling shade or privacy screening, no contrast to all of the concrete and asphalt not to mention the beauty in all the colours and interesting shapes of our woody plants. 

Since October 17, 2018, condominiums across Ontario have been working to identify and address the emerging problems that have accompanied the legalization of recreational cannabis.

Since February 2016, three serious multi-residential fires have occurred in the Toronto area. Although the specifics regarding the blazes differed, all three fires shared one similarity: the fuel source was furniture.

Mr. Reino purchased his unit in 2013 from his mother who had owned the unit since 2004. Both purchasers received a ‘clean’ Status Certificate from the corporation when they purchased the unit. In 2016, Mr. Reino decided to sell the unit and asked for a Status Certificate. When it arrived it stated that he was in breach for unauthorized alterations to the layout of the unit. Neither he nor his mother claimed to have made any changes and he commenced an Application seeking a clean Status Certificate.

Being caught unprepared during an emergency can feel overwhelming, especially if you have pets. It’s crucial to have an action plan that you can initiate at a moment’s notice.

It is often repeated that property managers wear many hats as they service the facilities and the owners within the corporation. This is also valid when it comes to safeguarding the assets and the residents of buildings. Condominium security has evolved over the years – historically, it was a simple matter of ensuring that all door closures functioned, the locks were working, and that there was a fresh (daily) tape in the CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) system.

Condensate pan, or so-called drip tray, is located inside the fan coil unit and underneath the coil. The main purpose of the tray is to collect the condensation from the fan coil unit during the cooling season. The drain is attached at the bottom of the pan and since the drain pipe is usually small in size (1/4” in diameter) it is susceptible to blockage.

Common expenses are a lifeline for condominiums. In order for a condominium to be properly operated and maintained, it needs the funds generated by the common expenses to be paid on a timely basis by all owners in accordance with their share of common expenses as set out in the declaration. The following cases dealt with situations where this did not happen.