-->
CM Magazine cover image

CM Magazine Library

Spring 2025 Issue
This issue highlights the critical connection between mental health and community safety, offering strategies to manage stress, build resilience, and handle conflicts ethically and effectively.

View PDF

Search Archives

Issue Archive
Article Categories

Showing Articles from the category 'Your Condo'


Is Your Team Ready to Protect Your Corporation

from the Opioid Crisis?

Your Condo || Michael Gavendo

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.


Open Communication

versus Risk Management

Your Condo || Laura Glithero

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.


Minimum Wage

The Shock to the Condominium Industry

Your Condo || Michael Wrighton

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. 


Standard Unit

Bylaws

Your Condo || Barry Herberman

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.


Ten Top Tips:

Condo Law

Your Condo || Bob Gardiner

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.


Best Practices

in Collections

Your Condo || Tracey Gunn

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.


Caring for Trees

from Their Roots to Their Shoots

Your Condo || Ken Lund

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. 


Policies that Address Cannabis

in the Workplace

Your Condo || Jason Sinukoff

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.


What Kind of Furniture Can I Use

in My Condo’s Lobby Space

Your Condo || Sarah McKenzie, Samantha Angel

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.


Case Law Summaries

for Spring

Your Condo || Greg Marley

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.


Don’t Forget Your Pets!

Emergency Preparedness for Your Furry Family

Your Condo || Vanessa Van Dette

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.


Integrated Condominium

Security Solutions

Your Condo || Scott Hill

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.


Fan Coil Drip Tray

or Condensate Pan Restoration

Your Condo || Davoran Corak

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

Recent Cases

Your Condo || Denise Lash

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.


Where Are

My Keys?

Your Condo || David McPake

After 40 years in the security industry, I have seen a lot of changes. In our early years, I don’t think we had a single solution for our clients that involved electrons or IP addresses. You’re probably not surprised to hear that.