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Set Holiday Décor Standards Without Being a Scrooge
It's easy to get enthusiastic about holiday decorating. How do you keep your residents from going overboard without being a scrooge? Read on for simple tips to keep holidays in your community merry! -
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. -
Four ways to set decoration policies for your condominium corporation without being a grinch
Lights, candles and wreaths, oh my! The most decorated season of the year is arriving, with celebrations from many cultures and faiths coinciding in the next few months. For condo communities, the desire to deck the halls can clash with the rules of the corporation. Follow these tips to maintain a festive community without décor running amok. -
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. -
Renting Your Condominium
When renting your condominium, both owner and tenant have responsibilities under the Condominium Property Act of Alberta (CPA). These are in addition to rights and responsibilities for landlords and tenants covered in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). -
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. -
Getting the Right Training to Be a Successful Board Member
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. -
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. -
Winterizing Your Community Association
Now is the time for building engineers to winterize their buildings to protect them from harsh Illinois winters. -
Watch the Webinar: Lifestyle Trends for 2021
Catch our latest online discussion with our lifestyle gurus, who'll discuss this year's lifestyle trends, best practices and hosting virtual events. -
4 HOA Strategies to Cut Costs and Maintain Assessments
There are valid reasons to raise assessments, but in some cases, you may be able to go a different route. Here are four strategies to save your HOA money and keep assessments stable. -
Can Your HOA Handle a Crisis? 8-Step Emergency Preparedness Plan
Is your association really prepared for an emergency? Learn how to develop an HOA emergency preparedness plan in 8 steps. -
Your HOA Board and Coronavirus: 5 Questions to Discuss
How should your HOA board handle a pandemic like COVID-19? Start by tackling these 5 questions. -
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. -
Ask the Expert: Storm Cleanup in Texas HOAs and COAs
Who's responsible for storm cleanup in Texas? We asked the legal experts in this video on disaster recovery, state laws, insurance, liabilities, and more. -
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. -
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. -
Ask the HOA Insurance Experts: Why are Premiums Spiking by 30%?
Insurance premiums are on the rise. Find out why the markets are hardening and find the right coverage for your Arizona association. -
New York’s Climate Mobilization Act | Frequently Asked Questions
FirstService Residential helps condo and co-op boards navigate CMA compliance, avoid costly fines and identify incentive programs that reduce the cost of building upgrades. -
Residential EV Charging Stations: Benefits & Incentives for Multifamily Buildings
FirstService Residential recommends that all boards and building owners consider the installation of EV charging stations and incentives available through NYSERDA and ConEd.