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Building Security Tips for the Holiday Season
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. -
Effects of frozen pipes in cold weather and how to avoid them
Frozen pipes are an unwanted, but common, occurrence during Alberta's cold winters. The damage caused can be significant to condominium units and shared property. Our cold weather warning offers condominium residents tips to prevent frozen pipes and the water damage that results. -
Cyber-Security Part One: How Residents in Condo Communities Can Protect Their Tech
Like it or not, we have become very dependent on our technology. Whether it’s a cell phone, tablet or computer, our devices enable us to stay connected, conduct business and access information anywhere, anytime. Yet as convenient as these devices may be, cyber security is simply not a priority for the majority of tech users—despite the increased prevalence of cyber attacks. One recent attack even occurred in our own backyard at the University of Alberta. In part one of our two-part series, we look at why cyber security is so important to condo associations. We also provide important steps that residents in your condo community can take to protect their technology so that sensitive information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. -
Cyber Security Part Two: Board Member Tips for Keeping Your Condo Association Safe
In part one of this two-part series, we discussed the importance of cyber security to your condo association and the steps that residents can take to protect themselves and their association. In this article, we look at your board’s responsibility in preventing cyber attacks. -
Eleven Tips to Improve the Security of your Home
Don’t make it easy for criminals to get into your home. These 11 common sense tips will help homeowners improve the security of their property and make it safer for their families. -
How a preventive maintenance plan can keep your condominium from walking on thin ice
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 Alberta 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. -
How to Protect Your Condo Corporation From Cyberattacks
When it comes to cyberattacks, you may be under the assumption that your condo corporation is flying under the radar. But you’d be dead wrong. In fact, as a small business, your corporation may be at greater risk of being targeted than ever before. -
Preventative & Predictive Maintenance are Critical to Your Replacement Reserves
Reserve Fund Studies are based on the assumption that components will reach their maximum useful life. However, if a preventative maintenance plan doesn’t accompany your reserve study, it’s highly unlikely some components will ever reach their maximum useful life. -
Staying Ahead of Your Condo Corporation’s Maintenance and Improvement Projects
Continually maintaining and improving your property is crucial if you want to protect your condominium corporation’s financial health. To ensure that these important responsibilities are well managed requires a long-term plan and a means of effectively handling day-to-day projects. Here’s how you can make that happen. -
What Your Condo Corporation Needs to Know About the Legalization of Recreational Cannabis
The Canadian Senate passed Bill C-45 , known as the ‘Cannabis Act’, in June 2018 which legalized the recreational use of cannabis across Canada. The first G-7 country to do so! When Bill C-45 goes into effect on October 17 th , Canadians will be able to purchase, consume and grow up to four cannabis plants, as well as make cannabis-containing products at home. -
Protect Your Pipes: Avoid Catastrophe in Your Condo Association This Winter
When the temperature dips far below freezing, you'll want to be sure your pipes are well-insulated. -
What If Our Manager Leaves? How to Handle HOA Staff Changes
Learn how to effectively manage HOA staff and manager changes. -
What If Our Manager Leaves? How to Handle HOA Staff Changes
Learn how to effectively manage HOA staff and manager changes. -
Why a Roof Leaks After a Snowfall – and What Can Be Done
Your residents are calling on about water leaks after a snowfall. Could an ice dam on the roof be the culprit? -
What If Our Manager Leaves? How to Handle HOA Staff Changes
Learn how to effectively manage HOA staff and manager changes. -
FISP (Local Law 11) - Understanding Cycle 9 Requirements in NYC
FirstService Residential has invested substantial resources to facilitate each of our managed properties with facade inspections and is here to help you navigate the many intricacies of FISP. -
HOA Committees and Volunteers: 8 Tips to Rally Residents
An effective Utah homeowners association will not only recruit great volunteers and committee members, but will empower them to help improve the community. The question is – how do you get there? -
Reserve Fund? Special Assessment? Loan? 3 Ways to Fund Capital Improvements
Great capital improvements improve property values. Read on to see the three ways to pay for them and the pros and cons. -
Is Your HOA (Really) Prepared? 13 Questions to Assess Your Maintenance Plan
Avoid facing surprise HOA maintenance costs. Here are 13 questions to ask about your preventive maintenance plan. -
Market Trends & Best Practices: Property Insurance for Boards & Building Owners in 2021
Around the world, the property and casualty insurance industry experienced record losses from 2016 to 2019, and consumers are now feeling the effects on both a macro and micro scale. -
Mitigating Board Liability & Personal Exposure – Part One
A capable management company will enforce procedures and invest in technologies that help limit legal liability for the condo or co-op, and also mitigate board member personal exposure. -
Is Your HOA Maintenance Plan Proactive or Reactive? 12 Questions to Ask
Are you asking the right questions? A strong maintenance plan can be the difference between a well-run and run-down Arizona association. -
Mitigating Board Liability & Personal Exposure – Part Two
Policy exclusions introduce increased risk to the board and often render a contractor’s policy meaningless. Properly vetting a contractor’s insurance is critical. -
5 Things to Know About Adequate Staffing
Does your homeowners association have adequate staff for the services that you provide? Learn how to staff your community effectively.