Building Systems
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?
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.
Managing water leaks 101
The causes of water leaks are often related to materials, installation, maintenance and operational issues.
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.
Helping condos stay afloat during a flood
The immense flooding that occurred recently across the GTA led to massive evacuations and widespread power outages and is just one example of the increasing severity of natural disasters.
Initiative seeks to close emergency response gaps
The Peel Regional Police Service is one jurisdiction that is leading a program that focuses on high-rise safety and resident well-being.
Residents figure into fire safety knowledge gap
The province also saw the total number of fatal fires rise to 109. Within many condos, there is a critical gap between fire safety and resident knowledge.
Tips for hiring independent contractors
With costs on the rise, many condominiums are choosing to retain independent contractors to provide superintendent and/or cleaning service.
Responding to elevator entrapments
Elevator entrapments are one of the many risks facing high-rise buildings in Ontario. Occupants need to be educated on best practices and what to do during an emergency.
The intricacies of EV infrastructure remain at odds with condo legislation
The electric vehicle landscape is complex, ever-changing and at the cutting edge of technology. For condominium corporations and their owners, this means that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Addressing hidden damages in condominiums
Condo managers who understand a condo’s life stages, hidden damages, and inspections are more likely to develop effective reserve fund plans with logical budget allotments.
Considerations for deferring capital project work
The industry panel discussed what capital repairs and replacement costs could potentially be deferred by prolonging the life of various building components and what professional resources to seek for guidance.
Reducing embodied carbon in capital projects
Condo owners now have the opportunity to understand the embodied carbon impacts of capital replacements work at their buildings.
WELL evolves into residential communities
Minto Communities is the first developer in Canada to pilot the WELL for residential program, which sets out to create healthier homes.
Access to units for common element work
What if access is required through a residential unit to perform common element maintenance or repairs to the building in general?
Overhauling reserve funds in Ontario
As the landscape of aging condos continues evolving, the need for adequate reserve funds to pay for these repairs assumes greater importance.
A guide to understanding noise in condos
Resolving noise complaints requires an understanding of how sound moves through a building and the obligations of a condominium.