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  • Holiday Decorations Dos and Don’ts: HOA Rules For Holiday Decorations

    How to establish decorating policies without being a grinch. Keep spirits bright this season for the whole community!
  • HOA Landscaping and Property Maintenance Tips to Add More Green to Community Property Values

    It’s often said that you should never judge a book by its cover. However, the front-line curb appeal of a community can make a difference in the value of every property in a neighborhood. This is one reason current and potential homeowners consider landscaping and common-area maintenance so important.
  • Municipal Duties Move to ‘Burbs as HOAs Must Step In

    John Friedrichsen, Senior Vice President & CFO of FirstService Residential parent company FirstService Corporation, is quoted in USA Today about how HOAs benefit from the value-added services provided by leading professional management companies.
  • 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!
  • 3 Ways to Fund Your Condominium Corporation Replacements and Major Repairs

    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?
  • 5 Ways to Create Sensible Condo Policies

    Every condominium corporation needs rules and policies. But if your condo board doesn’t carefully think them through or doesn’t implement them properly, they can backfire. Rules that go too far or enforcement that is inconsistent or lax can lead to animosity among residents and can chip away at your condo’s sense of community. How can your board implement rules and policies that won’t cause these types of problems?
  • Condominium Management Basics – 10 Helpful Hints

    As a board member of a condominium corporation you have an important role that should not be taken lightly. Remember, in addition to the responsibility you have to the members of your community from a business point of view, these people are also your neighbours and friends.
  • Creating a Condo Flooring Policy to Address Noise Issues

    When people live in close quarters, it is inevitable that they will hear sounds from neighbouring condos from time to time. Noise between units can be minimized in many ways. One of the most effective tools for a condominium board to implement is a flooring policy that guides owners when they want to replace their floor coverings. Choosing the right products makes a big difference when it comes to the transfer of noise between condominium units.
  • 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.
  • Drowning in Paperwork? Six Guidelines for Getting it Organized

    We all know that “organizing paperwork” is not at the top of most people’s list of things-to-do. Most likely we also know that it suddenly achieves high importance when we have to ask ourselves “now where did I see/put that?” When speaking of the documents of a condominium corporation, it is imperative that these be accessible and up-to-date when they are needed. These six guidelines will help you get it organized.
  • 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.
  • Getting Your Building's Spring Cleaning Started

    As community managers begin property inspection, they note the necessary repairs for winter damage as they make their rounds through the community. T
  • How to Communicate so Condo Residents Listen

    Are residents in your condominium corporation always aware of upcoming events, construction projects and board meetings? Do they understand their responsibilities and the policies they need to comply with?
  • Keeping Your Condo Board Committees on Track

    Community committees allow residents to become involved in the activities of their condominium. They can also help reduce the work load for the volunteer board. In order to function properly though, committees do need structure and board guidance. These eight tips will help to ensure your committees make positive contributions to the community and are aligned with board goals.
  • Nine Things to Know About Conflicts of Interest

    The term “conflict of interest” is often used when discussing board member activities, but it is one that is not always understood. Having a clear definition of what is and what is not a conflict of interest is critical to a board as it carries out its duties on behalf of the rest of the owners.
  • Potted Plants are Not Ashtrays

    It seems innocent, but a surprising number of balcony and backyard fires are unintentionally started by disposal of smoking material in a potted plant or planter box. In a condominium environment this can have, and has had, disastrous consequences. And it's not just a summertime problem.
  • 7 Financial Must-Do’s for Condo Corporation Success

    There are so many things to enjoy about living in a condominium community. Among them are the sense of community, the great amenities and the high standards. However, if your condo corporation’s finances aren’t stable, none of it is possible.
  • Seven Tips for Preparing an Effective Annual Budget

    Proper condominium management depends upon the annual budget for both short- and long-term financial planning. It’s important to follow some guidelines to ensure the success of the community and protect the investment of the owners.
  • Smart Financial Planning

    Safeguarding a condominium corporation’s operating and reserve funds is one of the main fiduciary duties of all board members, not just the treasurer. This means that boards must protect the financial interests of the corporation and its members by making sure all funds are properly managed, invested and protected.
  • The Condo Residents’ (Unofficial) Bill of Rights and Responsibilities

    Life in a multi-family community is much more pleasant when residents and leaders each understand their individual rights and responsibilities. As in all aspects of life, respect for each other and adherence to the rules are key components to successful community relations.
  • The Nuts and Bolts of Running a Great Condo Board Meeting

    Love them or hate them, if you are a condominium board member you know that board meetings are essential to the successful operation of the community. But not all meetings are as effective as they should be. With some planning and guidelines in place this can be improved in short order.
  • 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.
  • HOA Policy: 7 Steps for Easy, Effective (and Respectful) Rule Enforcement

    Learn why effective HOA policy starts with a strong communication plan.
Showing 121 - 144 of 240