How to create condo rules that make sense

Why are condo rules important?

Policies are necessary in any condominium corporation, but if they aren’t well thought out or properly implemented, they can create more problems than they solve. For example, if a rule goes too far, is not enforced fairly, or is not enforced at all, it can cause resentment among unit owners and erode your sense of community. So, what can your board do to be certain that you are creating policies that do the job they were intended to do?

A knowledgeable property management company can lend its experience to help you establish sound policies. In addition, it can assist you in communicating your new policies to residents and can relieve your board of the responsibility for enforcing condo rules fairly and issuing violation notices. Your condo corporation will also benefit if board members follow the recommendations below.
 

How to create condo rules in your community

Start with some common sense

When developing a new policy, your board must weigh its value against its impact on owners’ personal freedom. For example, ask yourself how much of a positive effect the policy will have on property values or resident safety. Leave community politics or personal agendas out of your decision making and avoid creating stringent rules as a reaction to a single incident. If a certain type of incident starts to become a regular occurrence, then it might be time to consider creating a policy to address it.
 

Familiarize yourself with your governing documents and Ontario Condo Law

New policies should not contradict your existing governing documents or the Ontario Condominium Act. Try to sync them up with the Condo Act or with local laws and ordinances if possible. This will provide you with an extra source of validation and will support enforcement of the policy. It’s best to have the corporation’s attorney review any policies or rules you’re creating or revising. That way you can be sure that they are consistent with Ontario statutes and your governing documents.
 

Communicate new policies clearly

You can’t expect residents to follow policies or rules they don’t understand or don’t know exist, so write them as clearly and as simply as possible and make sure residents know where they can reference them. For new residents ensure condo rules and policies are clearly referenced in their welcome packages.
 
Policies do not need approval by unit owners, but a rule can be challenged if 15% of the owners petition to call a meeting about it within 30 days. In that case, the rule is voted on at an owners’ meeting.
 
Once you’ve adopted a policy, don’t issue violation notices until residents have had time to adjust – certainly not before the policy has been widely communicated. Implement a range of channels to get the word out. This might include your community website, emails, social media, your newsletter, postal mail, and bulletin board notices. An experienced management company can help you write these communications, as well as distribute them.
 

Be consistent with enforcement

Consistent enforcement is critical not only to prevent potential legal action, but also because it motivates residents to comply. When the rules aren’t applied fairly, owners are less likely to want to follow them.
 

Do an annual review as part of your annual general meeting 

Needs change in a community, as do the regulations, local laws, and trends. For instance, rules around smoking, marijuana and short-term rentals have changed in recent years in Ontario and how issues around prescribed nuisances are handled are set to change in January. With things consistently changing, it’s imperative you make sure your community is also staying current by having a formal review of your rules and policies. The best time to do this is at your annual general meeting as it takes place every year and you can get important feedback from fellow residents. Once reviewed, make sure that your governing documents have those rules/policies up to date. Your management company should be checking to ensure that you have the latest rules in status certificates, or on your resident website.

 The benefit to clear rules and policies is that it allows the owners to decide what kind of community that they want to live in. A “no pet” community 10 years ago, may not suit the needs and desires of the current residents. Rules and policies are meant to adapt to the requirements of the community. Finally, budget for this review both in terms of legal review and time. This is the framework that sets the tone for your community.
 

Creating condo policies and enforcing them can be tough 

Ensuring rules and policies are being followed is not always a fun job. However, as a board you don’t have to handle this all on your own. A good property management company can guide you through the creation of new rules and policies and can look after enforcement for you. A benefit to this is that it can eliminate any perception that you’re playing favourites in how you hand out violation notices.

When a violation occurs, the resident should receive a written violation notice and an explanation of the corresponding penalties. Keep in mind that if residents don’t think they’ve been treated fairly, they have the right to seek legal counsel. In those instances, the Condominium Authority of Ontario offers a variety of resources to help you address common issues and how to navigate the process of resolving them.
 

Condo Rules are not the enemy

Condo rules and policies are never meant to create problems, they are there to help your condominium corporation function better, something that everyone within the community can benefit from. Apply good sense and fairness when developing them and, above all, remember that your primary goal is to create a successful community in which residents enjoy living. And when they love where they live, they’ll be more committed to following the rules.
 
To learn how FirstService Residential can support your community's vision, contact a member of our team.