Condominium Manager Magazine

The on-set of the global COVID-19 pandemic struck the world like a bad dream at the beginning of 2020. As news and the virus spread worldwide, our communities started to shut down like a light switching off. Without any time to prepare or plan, services were ordered to shut down, businesses to close, and it seemed as though the world was placed on hold for most. This was not the case in the condominium industry.

Relationships are complicated. There are quite a few “ingredients” required for a relationship to be healthy and successful: respect, trust, honesty, compromise, communication and the list goes on. Relationships are dynamic and never stop evolving, and given they have so many “moving parts,” it is easy to understand how they need constant nurturing.

Condominiums fall into a few broad categories. The Condominium Act, 1998 (the “Act”) recognizes leasehold and freehold, standard, vacant land, common elements, and phased, and there are other categories based on intended uses (e.g., commercial vs. residential) or design. Amongst residential condominiums, they can be broadly categorized as vertical (e.g., highrises) and horizontal (e.g., townhouses).

ACMO wishes to recognize those members who achieved their RCM designation this year, and have demonstrated a commitment to professionalism and a higher standard of condominium management.

My favourite catchphrases include: “We work where you live,” “competing priorities,” and “difficult conversations with passionately angry people.” All excellent ways to paraphrase the everyday challenges of condo management! The work of property management, specifically residential condominium management, can be challenging, especially during an anxiety-ridden worldwide pandemic.

Before one can discuss how to build trust with condo owners, trust must first be established amongst the individual board members and then between the board and the property management company.

Chargeback claims against a unit owner often turn into a dispute unless clearly documented evidence and adherence to a set of chargeback procedures can convince the owner that the corporation’s claim is valid. Two recent cases highlight the need to take care.

With ever-rising insurance premiums on Condominium Corporation’s in Ontario, the best thing that Condominium Corporations can do is manage the risk. To keep premiums low, active risk management shows insurance carriers that the corporation is doing everything they can to avoid the need to file an insurance claim. Keeping owners informed and asking them to participate in mitigating these risks can help minimize insurance claims for both the corporation and the owners themselves.

The condo corporation’s governing documents (the Declaration, By-laws and Rules) each serve a unique purpose. When operating well, these documents set the stage to allow the condo corporation to grow and adapt to any necessary changes. As an owner, understanding these documents will help you know how your condo corporation operates and what your role and responsibilities are within the condo corporation and the community.

Condo communities are often at the mercy of the board, which governs regulations and policies, and the property management companies who carry out the orders of the day. Collectively their job is to ensure the owners’ right to quiet enjoyment while also considering the type of lifestyle the condo community provides. When the two parties fail to manage the property effectively, its value, amenities, social aspects, and the residents’ lifestyle is negatively impacted.

As climate changes, a building’s wellness and control become increasingly top-of-mind for managers, and multi-residential buildings (condos, especially) offer an untapped opportunity to become a sustainability leader.

Shining the light on those in the condominium management profession.

Shining the light on those in the condominium management profession.

In this issue: ACMO Hosts its First Virtual Luncheon, The New RCM Registry, Amendments to The Condo Act Relating to a Condo Guide, and the Services and Trades at your Fingertips.

Each year, ACMO honours exceptional achievements in the condominium industry with its annual awards of excellence.