By law, condominium corporations in Ontario must obtain a comprehensive reserve fund study report, which is updated every three years. The updated studies alternate between non-site-based updates, and site-based updates where the engineer will re-visit the site to perform a visual inspection of the development. 

I am a firm believer in the saying “a chain is as strong as its weakest link,” which in essence defines that the success of an entire group depends on the success of each member of the group. As property managers carrying out our daily juggling acts, we understand the importance of a strong team that helps to ease some of the burden, and pave the way toward our success. 

For years, property managers, municipalities and even homeowners have resorted to traditional pipe replacement methods to fix their cracking, leaking and root-intruded pipes. 

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” People reading this article may be familiar with this expression from childhood. It stands for the idea that a verbal attack cannot injure its target in the same manner as a physical attack might. As any child who has been called names in the schoolyard could tell you, however, words can hurt even if no bones are broken.

The ability of unit owners to access records may be the area most affected by the legislative changes. Up until now, the process by which owners requested and obtained (or were denied!) access to records has been unregulated. The legislative changes introduce new procedures, terms and forms. The following is a high level overview of these changes, but rest assured we could fill five articles with discussion just about records!

Over the past twenty-five years in the industry, working with both highrise condominium managers and boards, and the commercial building sector, I can say that the HVAC in a building is often overlooked in terms of ensuring that the equipment runs efficiently with as little owner/tenant downtime as possible.

I moved into my first and only condominium approximately five years ago. It is an eleven-storey building located on the edge of the core downtown area. My wife and I were part of the first wave of residents moving into the 114 units. For many, this was their first time owning a condominium. It seemed a good number had owned and lived in condominiums previously.

People want to do the right thing; we as managers just need to make it easier for them. Small changes in the environment and systems can often have significant effect on peoples’ behaviour.

This is the first case of its kind to confirm that condo boards now have the tools to protect property managers from workplace harassment. (Finally! Good news for proper ty manager s ! ) . Although the condo brought an application to restrain an owner’s disruptive behaviour, more immediate action was required. The owner in York Condominium Corporation No. 288 v Rabie and Weinroth was harassing, threatening, and even assaulted the property pending the hearing of the application on its merits.

It starts innocently enough: An owner in your building breezes in with the news that she’s planning to put some decking and lighting on the balcony. “No problem, right?” she says.

Money spent on the best landscape design and best stones will be wasted if the brand-new driveway shows wear after just a few years. Especially if it needs to be re-done again within the owners’ memory! Good engineering design saves you money. 

Every individual is exactly that… an individual. We all come from varied backgrounds of unique experiences that form who we are, what we value and why we do the things we do. We want to feel included, understood, appreciated and most of all heard. 

This question is raised more often these days by building owners and property managers when their building is visited by fire inspectors. Understanding your responsibility for fire safety and taking steps to mitigate risk is important.

Starting a property management company is no small feat. It takes courage, strength, energy and, most of all, creativity. We opened Whitehill Residential with all the best intentions – to take what we have learned from working in the industry over many years to create a business of “best practices.” 

I have been involved with condominiums since 1973 as a condominium owner and served as a board member on three different condominium corporations where I have lived over the years. I began taking courses to provide insight into complex realities of the then “new” condominium living and the necessity of becoming involved in the community. I started a condominium property management firm in late 1979.