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At one time or another, every condominium corporation has to spend money on replacing equipment or making major repairs. Whether that means replacing a roof, installing a new ventilation system or any other big-ticket project, they are a necessity. But how should your condo corporation pay for them?

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada , viruses can live on hard surfaces like elevator buttons, door handles, gym equipment and more, moving from person to person easily. As a board member, you want to help prevent that to keep your residents healthy and your community running smoothly. Read on to learn 4 ways you can help do that.

Five seconds. Science tells us that’s how long it takes to form an initial judgement about a person or thing. First impressions are even faster – they happen in an instant. Given this limited time to make a positive impact, the need for a great front desk team is clearer than ever.

Security risks increase exponentially during the holiday seasons for high-rise buildings. Many residents travel for the holidays, move to warmer weather during the winter months, or have an influx of guests and family members in and out. These factors make it easy for intruders to make it into the building, especially if there are no procedures in place to track the many people and deliveries in and out of the building.

Variables that can affect your board’s specific requirements might include the type of community or building you have, your location, your available resources and your demographics, to name just a few. Despite these differences, your strata can create an effective – and life-saving – plan by following these eight basic steps.

Burst heating pipes are an unwanted, but common, occurrence during Ontario's cold winters. The damage caused by the endless supply of water can be significant. Learn how to avoid a big headache and prevent pipes from freezing.

It’s budget season! Are you stressed? Concerned about a potential dues increase or a large capital project that’s looming in the future? The word “budget” can be scary, so thinking about creating next year’s budget is daunting for many homeowners boards. We’d like to change that. In fact, we don’t want you to view next year’s budget as a task at all.

If your community is managed by a property management company, you probably have an after-hours number you can call for urgent issues. But what if you simply want to take care of day-to-day condo corporation business? “People don’t operate in normal business hours anymore,” says Rolando Hernandez, national customer care director at FirstService Residential. “Residents and board members need to be able to take care of condo business how and when it’s convenient for them.”

We will all need a measure of patience as we navigate changes related to the pandemic. Communications may move at a pace that’s different than we’re used to. As always, the best policy is to assume positive intentions from others, listen carefully and respond professionally.

The holiday season is upon us, and nothing puts you in a festive mood than pulling your holiday decorations out of storage. Many people derive a sense of community and comfort from seeing familiar decorations at the same time each year.

Most people who join the board of their condominium corporation aren’t experts. Rather, they are well-intentioned, dedicated volunteer-leaders who want to protect property values and ensure their community continues to be a great place to live. If you’re a new board member – or even a seasoned one – it’s important to get the training you need to govern effectively and address the issues you may face.

Cold weather will soon be upon us, so now is the time to make sure your condominium maintenance program is on track. As brutal as Ontario's winters can be, you certainly don't want to discover a leak in your roof during a heavy snowfall or have a boiler stop working during a record cold spell.

What makes a condominium community happy? A lot goes into it, but it’s no secret that much of it depends on community leadership.

You want your condo community to be successful. All board members do. You know that means watching the finances carefully and maintaining the property. But do you think about effective board communication as an ingredient in your recipe for success? It is!

Condo policies are necessary in any corporation, but if they aren't well thought out or properly implemented, they can create more problems than they solve. How do you change condo policies? What can your board do to be certain that the condo policies you establish do the job they were intended to do?

Whether you have been newly elected to your board or you have been a board member for several years, you owe it to your residents to make sure that you are managed by the best property management company. Every condominium corporation differs in their needs, so you must take the proper time and ask the right questions when hiring a property management company.

Saltwater pools offer a variety of benefits ranging from greater comfort for swimmers -- say goodbye to burning eyes and dried out hair -- and also for the environment. This article explores why saltwater pools are gaining popularity in condominiums and communities here in the Greater Toronto area and around the world.

Getting the most out of the relationship between your Condominium Corporation and your property management company comes down to many important factors and communication, as in any relationship, is essential.

Community events are a great way for Condominium Corporations to bring residents together, create a sense of community pride and encourage a social and cohesive community environment! What better way to build relationships and enhance residents’ quality of life than to bring homeowners together to meet their neighbors and feel more connected and engaged with their local community.

It’s that wonderful time of year! Many of us are shopping online to get that perfect gift for our loved ones. And, for those doing last-minute shopping, we don’t want to have to worry that something will go wrong with our deliveries.

How do you like to say “hello?” No matter what expression you use, chances are you like to take the opportunity to put your best foot forward and make a good first impression.

Not all residential property managers have what they need to give you great service. Learn what it takes to be a great residential property manager.

The Canadian Senate passed Bill C-45, known as the ‘Cannabis Act’, in June 2018 which legalized the recreational use of cannabis across Canada.