Condominium Manager Magazine

Environmental issues are affecting every nation around the globe. By employing innovative practices using technology to drive our business solutions, management companies can use our example and reduce their use of finite resources and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Fats, oils and grease (FOG) are a common problem for many businesses, condominiums/highrise buildings and homeowners. If they are poured down the drain, they will cool in the pipe, harden and eventually cause a blockage. This can be very costly as it can cause sewage to back up into a building, house or business. The easiest way to prevent blockages from forming is to stop FOG from getting into the pipes in the first place.

With energy costs at the forefront of property managers’ thoughts, finding and introducing new energy efficient and green initiatives is becoming imperative. The practice of energy management through a sub-metering system is rapidly growing throughout management sectors of the multi-residential industry, and the results that come from implementing the fair and cost-effective, user-pay system are vast.

Smart building owners and property managers are gradually retrofitting fluorescent lighting systems to LED lighting systems because of the tremendous benefits of the LED solid lighting technology. Its lower energy output reduces the building’s overall energy consumption. 

It's easier to get your residents on board the organics recycling program in your condominium with regular communications and innovative recycling systems.

LED retrofit projects of common element areas are often the first type of energy efficiency project where a condo corporation can see cost savings after initial investment.

2018 has been an exceptionally busy year for condominium managers and directors in Ontario. The first phase of the amendments to the Condominium Act brought widespread change to condominium management and administration. Here’s a quick list of some of the key changes:

As much as Goldview Property Management Ltd. enjoyed attending ACMO’s luncheons and seminars in preparation for the legislative changes to Ontario’s condominiums – because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love time out of the office, a delicious lunch, name tags and awkward conversation – we were eager to see how the condominium industry would be affected. 

It is estimated that 50% of the new homes being built in the province are condominiums, which is not surprising considering the rapid expansion of Ontario’s condominium communities. Condo managers are professionals who, like other occupations in Ontario, must be licensed. 

It’s safe to say that this past year has been a huge learning curve for anyone working within the condominium industry. The updated Condominium Act has introduced new forms, notices and procedures for condominium property managers to follow when it comes to meetings, distribution of notices, and voting. 

There was considerable discussion and speculation on the impact of the new forms under the amended Condominium Act leading up to their release on November 1, 2017. As over a year has now passed this is a good time to reflect on how the new proxy form and information certificates have directly impacted managers and the management of our communities. 

If there is one thing that has been consistent over the past year in the condominium industry, it is legislative change. It has permeated almost every aspect of how we build, work with and live in condominiums.

When I was asked to write an article on the benefits of the mandatory Director Training and the benefits that it provides to the boards and management I thought it best that I actually take the training so I knew more about that which I was asked to write.

Q: As a regional owner, and ACMO2000 executive, what is your experience of amendments under the new Condo Act? The amendments have brought about many challenges. As with any change, this is expected until all stakeholders can get into the new regime. 

Anyone who works in condominiums has heard it said before, “access to records is the single largest cause for disputes in condominiums…”.