Mechanical
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?
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.
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.
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.
Energy efficiency powers condo to LEED Platinum
Perched on the edge of the waterfront, south of the Distillery District near Sugar Beach, Toronto’s first LEED Platinum high-rise condo stands in the Bayside
IAQ standards dissect freshness of outdoor air
Guidance related to natural ventilation, particulate filtration and compartmentalization of multi-residential HVAC systems are prominent in the list of identified "significant changes" compared to the incumbent 2016 version of the standards.














