1 Welcome Package / Committee What better way to communicate with owners but when you first receive notification of the change in ownership. Creating a simple FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) sheet along with a document checklist to ensure they have all the required condo documents (and where to get it if they don’t) is invaluable.…
By Hugh Willis As of January 1, 2018 the Condominium Property Act of Alberta was amended (among a number of other changes) to allow a corporation to send notifications to owners electronically provided the owner has provided consent to do so. The Act reads as follows: Service on owner 71.1(1) A document, including any written…
By Amber Forest Preventative Maintenance to Cure Your HVAC Woes When it comes to a building’s Heating Ventilating & Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, often it’s a case of out of sight, out of mind. That is, of course, until it’s not working on the hottest or coldest day of the year. This reactive approach can…
By Heidi Besuijen You might engage a lawyer for the purpose of making an application before the courts to obtain an Order. This could relate to the non-payment of contributions or a special assessment, to tenants within a condominium corporation, or even be an aspect of a larger piece of litigation which is ongoing. No…
By NIALL MCCARRA Just like us humans, building envelopes can experience their own cold and flu like symptoms. Maybe this winter you can be the doctor and your building envelope the patient. Winter conditions are harsh on building envelopes, but winter is a good time to evaluate building envelope performance. Roofs and Attics In cold…
By: Nadine Riopel Anyone who’s ever been on a condo board or attended an AGM knows about the jerks. They’re loud, they’re angry. They’re pretty sure that everything that’s wrong is your fault, and they either want you to fix it or they want you fired. Like anyone else, I encounter my fair share of…
By Excel Sheppard Insurance Service and Risk Management When searching for a new home, prospective condo owners are attracted to communities with active security programs. In order to deter crime and provide homeowners with a sense of safety, many condominium corporations utilize surveillance cameras as part of this security strategy. On the surface, installing security…
by Trinity Player Potted flowers and plants can add a welcome touch of green to a condominium’s grounds, foyer, and common spaces such as social rooms and fitness centres. But did you know that they can also pose a serious danger? Over the last few years, fire departments throughout North America have reported a higher…
By Brian Shedden Do you remember that old Cher song from a few years ago…”If I Could Turn Back Time…” One of the biggest challenges facing a Board of Directors at any condominium corporation is how to save money on the big repair projects that regularly have to be done. Whether it is roofing, the…
by Justin Tudor Condominium owners and directors are typically more aware of the maintenance costs and requirements of their buildings than their freehold-living counterparts. This is by virtue of legislation requiring that common element maintenance and replacement plans be considered through regular reserve fund studies. However, like the freehold owner who elects to put off…