CondoBusiness - Security & Life Safety
REMI

Security & Life Safety

lithium-ion

Condos tackle lithium-ion battery risks

Lithium-ion batteries mostly operate safely and reliably, but failures can occur with serious resulting risks, particularly in multi-residential settings.
procurement

Prioritizing value in engineering procurement

Condo boards face mounting pressure to manage reserve funds efficiently while protecting future owners from unnecessary financial strain.
strata

B.C. strata sector overdue for reform

Some members of British Columbia’s strata sector are raising the alarm about depleted reserve funds and looming special levies, while also calling on the provincial government to undertake a full review of the Strata Property Act.
pool safety

Emerging tech seeks to advance pool safety

Pool safety is under renewed scrutiny after two recent incidents occurred at condominiums in the Greater Toronto Area, one involving a chemical mishap and the other a fatal drowning.
balconies

Cracks and corrosion put condo balconies at risk

Aging condo balconies demand structural repair and upkeep to remain safe.
fire code

Fire code violations threaten condo safety

Ontario condominium corporations are responsible for ensuring the safety of their buildings and the wellbeing of their residents. One of the most crucial aspects of
overcrowded

Condos grapple with overcrowded units

Overcrowding is difficult to address and even harder to resolve, especially when governing documents provide little clarity.
financial

Weak financial oversight puts condo owners at risk

The sheer scale and complexity of condos demand a level of financial governance equivalent to any major business.
reasonable

Recent cases clarify reasonable conduct

Being reasonable is a fundamental aspect of condominium living, but it is not always easy to determine what it means to act reasonably within shared spaces.
status certificate

Status certificates 101

One of the most important documents in a condo transaction is the status certificate—and its price may be set for a sharp increase.
Illegal drug activity could ensnare landlords

Illegal drug activity could ensnare landlords

Proposed Ontario legislation targets landlords who knowingly permit or possess proceeds from the production or trafficking of controlled substances within premises they control.
retaining staff

Tips for retaining condo staff and avoiding turnover

A high turnover rate disrupts the belonging that residents strive to foster, incurs unnecessary costs associated with recruitment and training, and may be an indication of a culture gone wrong.
shared facilities

The pitfalls of shared facilities agreements

A shared facility agreement is often a quagmire of legal mumbo jumbo that is next to impossible to interpret.
aging

Anticipating the needs of aging condo communities

New updates to the OBC, which come into effect January 1, 2025, do little to address accessibility. How can existing condos prioritize inclusion when planning for renovations?
security cameras

Q&A: Security cameras and condos

An increasing use of security cameras in and around condo communities has come with more questions and issues condo boards, property managers and condo lawyers are forced to deal with.
water leaks

Managing water leaks 101

The causes of water leaks are often related to materials, installation, maintenance and operational issues.
security

Legal case puts spotlight on condo security

In a recent case, a condominium found itself at the centre of a significant security challenge posed by a resident.