Mechanical
Actuaries garner new insight into condo finances
The Canadian Institute of Actuaries’ latest insight statement on the longevity of condo infrastructure explores several risks.
Putting HVAC maintenance in the spotlight
What HVAC contractors do, or don’t do, during maintenance has a significant impact on the repairs, service calls and utilities consumed by mechanical equipment.
Updating your condo’s emergency response plan
As spring temperatures arrive and snow and ice finally recede, condominium managers often face property maintenance issues that arise or were neglected during the winter
Electric ride-sharing is the newest condo amenity
Residents of a freshly built mid-rise in the Annex neighbourhood of Toronto have a fleet of electric vehicles waiting for them to use, whether that’s for a trip around town, a weekend getaway to the cottage or visiting family out-of-province.
Ontario condo managers grapple with price hikes
As multi-residential buildings grapple with rising construction costs, condo managers in Ontario are experiencing the impacts up close.
Unconventional ways condos can reduce capital project costs
Ongoing challenges to capital replacement project costs are wreaking havoc on already stressed reserve funds and causing anxiety for boards and property managers throughout the province.
Construction costs rattle the condo industry
Construction cost increases are a significant concern if a condo needs to complete work in the next year or so. But the concern isn't just the here and now.
Cases shed light on maintenance and repair obligations in condos
Maintenance and repair obligations of both owners and condo corporations are defined in the Condominium Act, which sets out the minimum default obligations. T
Condos at high risk from reserve fund shortfalls
The growing crop of condo owners across Canada will likely encounter huge annual fee increases and lump-sum payments due to low reserve fund contributions, authors of a new research report are warning.
Home owners and builders lack awareness of IAQ health risks
After exposure to scientific findings, the number of homeowners who viewed their homes as somewhat or very unhealthy more than tripled.
5 ways technology is uplifting condo communities
Technology is revolutionizing the way condo buildings operate and positively impacting the lives of residents and managers.
Security, privacy and the rise of smart homes
What security and privacy threats should condo communities watch out for due to the rise of internet-connected smart home devices?
Reserve funds ignore climate target impacts
We should be asking our reserve fund planners to look at the Paris accord target dates and compare the end-of-life replacement of our gas-burning appliances against the target dates.
Could a Florida condo collapse happen in Ontario?
How would this scenario unfold in Ontario? Leaving aside the construction process itself, there are vast differences between Ontario and Florida condominium laws that would have given the Champlain towers significant added protections following registration.
Condos lag on fire code compliance
Fire plans may need an overhaul as the resident population ages, building systems are updated, and renovations alter the layout of floors or rooms.
Insurance crisis affecting reserve fund planning
The insurance crisis in condominiums is affecting how boards are planning for disasters in Ontario.
Condos in precarious spot if small repairs sit idle
Should the corporation move forward with certain maintenance repairs if the issue has the potential to become exponentially worse?