Capital Upgrades & Retrofits

mentorship

What the new Construction Act means for condos

Construction is a billion-dollar industry in Canada. While most large projects at condominiums proceed relatively smoothly, there is always risk of friction for contractors and
building permits

How to avoid a DIY renovation disaster

The renovation work should aim to improve the property and make it more accessible for residents and visitors.
hydro

Gaps flagged in new CDM programs

After 2022, companies must use their own funds to reimburse embedded energy managers, but will be offered “an enhanced level of technical support and resources.” It's a move some see as more short-sighted.
green building

Creating a condo sustainability plan for 2021

A sustainability plan and budget should be made with the mindset of plan and prevent, instead of react and pivot.
insurance

Canada’s condo insurance crisis

Impacts of the hard insurance market are trickling into condominium corporations across Canada, challenging boards and managers in their wake.
reserve fund

Reserve fund budgeting: A fan coil unit retrofit

One of the most under addressed issues in aging condos is the fan coil unit. Residents often take an “out of sight, out of mind” approach.
reserve funds

How is COVID-19 impacting reserve funds?

Many reserve fund projects have not been able to proceed this year. Even now as construction has “opened up,” contractors have backlogs that will allow them to complete only some of the previously planned projects.
energy retrofits

Feds to invest $2 billion in energy retrofits

A promised $2 billion investment in large-scale building retrofits will be central to the Canadian government’s job creation ambitions. Energy efficiency champions have plenty of ideas of how and where the funds could be best leveraged.
budget

Budgeting the unknown amid a pandemic

Condo corporations are facing new budgeting challenges in 2020. Planning for unexpected and increasing expenses is difficult to anticipate.
Condo communities

Condo communities build up resilience in 2020

With always evolving guidelines and pandemic uncertainty, building resilience in condo communities is more important than ever.
Toronto

Are condos prepared for climate change?

While many condos haven’t yet experienced the major effects of climate change, statistics and case studies foreshadow the impacts that could come.
condo board

When a condo board becomes interim manager

When most people run for the condo board of directors, the last thing they imagine is a situation where they’re actually running the condominium.
condo fees

Handling common expense fees during COVID-19

Over the course of the last few weeks, many condo corporations have been asking whether they can defer owners’ common expense fee (CEF) payments or
electrical system

Manager’s guide to electrical system maintenance

To plan for electrical system maintenance, it's helpful to understand how power is delivered to and distributed around the building.
meeting minutes

Keeping a condo’s meeting minutes professional

If property manager are responsible for taking the meeting minutes, editing and formatting may take a back seat to other priorities.
accessibility momentum

Accessibility tracks sustainability trajectory

Market pressure and industry competitiveness could propel accessible commercial real estate in the coming decade, much the way those complementary forces have already bolstered energy efficiency and low-carbon footprints.

Energy retrofits announced for GTA residential buildings

The Canadian government has earmarked $5.75m in grants and loans to conduct “deep energy retrofits” within four multi-residential buildings in Toronto and Hamilton.