Condominium Manager Magazine

Condominiums are more than just buildings. They are communities built on trust, security, and stability. Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of site staff, led by a licensed condominium manager, ensures that daily operations run smoothly, emergencies are prevented or managed effectively, and residents feel safe in their homes.

Condominium boards are the backbone of residential communities. They juggle everything from budgets and bylaws to keeping the peace among neighbours, and while the role can be rewarding, it's far from risk-free. Board meetings, in particular, are often pressure cookers where tempers can boil over.

As urban living continues to rise, so does the importance of effective risk management in high-rise buildings. Across Ontario, condo boards led by innovative property management companies are leveraging technology to enhance safety and operational effectiveness. This article delves into their vision and their transformative impacts on safety, compliance, operations and, more importantly, documented evidence of their commitment to community safety. Let's look at a small sample of the key players leading the charge in the last 12 months – right here in Ontario...

In the property management industry, where everything is intensely competitive, a critical question is whether or not a property manager is entitled to switch from one property management company to another and, at the same time, continue servicing the same condominium building with the property manager's new employer...

We've all been there at some point, or heard the stories of a dysfunctional condo board. Whether it's unclear expectations, too many meetings, lack of leadership or toxic in-fighting, it's a situation no property manager wants to face. Regrettably, these scenarios are far too common and lead to manager burnout and turnover.

For decades, urban and suburban centres across Ontario have been reshaped by sprouting towers and low-rise townhome residential units, many of them condominiums. The goal has been to accommodate a rapidly growing population with denser urban planning and construction, resulting in a surge of new condo residences. But what happens when there aren’t enough qualified property managers available to help management companies ensure the success of these communities?

Along with the rise in fatal residential home fires, in 2023, we have seen a 10% increase in fires in high-rise residential buildings. With our people and buildings at higher risk than ever since smoke alarms became mandatory, what changes can we expect?

Condominium residential communities require efficient management and security measures to ensure the safety and well-being of their residents. In this regard, condo security guards and concierge staff play a vital role. This article delves into the training provided to these professionals, exploring how their expertise and preparedness enable them to effectively manage emergencies and mitigate legal situations in partnership with property managers and the board of directors.

Condominium property managers and board directors face various challenges when selecting the perfect construction process and company for their common area refurbishment projects. With this article, I intend to take a lighthearted journey with you down the rabbit hole of condominium refurbishment.

Residential properties are an important asset, whether owned as a primary residence or an investment. When they are condominium properties, several people with varying interests influence the decisions to maintain the common elements that impact the asset’s value.

While gas stations are abundant, Electric Vehicle Charging Systems are in short supply, so the federal government has introduced the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program to help fund the installation of EVCS across the country. The funding is available via various delivery organizations and can cover up to 50% of project costs to install EVCS in commercial, industrial and multi-unit residential buildings, including condominiums.

2023 will be an important year for townhouses, row houses, low-rise condominiums, and the fight against greenhouse gas emissions. This year, generous grants are available to replace old windows with new, state-of-the-art, energy-efficient ones.

Condominium living offers a sense of community and security, but as with any community, incidents of violence can occur. As a manager, board member or staff member, it’s essential to be proactive in ensuring the safety of residents and coworkers. The following are steps that condominium communities can take to minimize the risk of violence and be prepared to respond in the event of an emergency.

Building owners and property managers should be aware of the importance of preventative maintenance procedures for electrical distribution and emergency generators and the responsibility to protect their longevity, safety, and critical infrastructure to avoid unexpected equipment failure.

We know that more families than ever are struggling with debt, and many are too embarrassed to seek financial help. As a condo manager, you likely see signs from some of your owners but may not be aware that they are financially stressed. Let’s look into some tell-tale signs that you can watch out for.