Capital Upgrades & Retrofits
When a condo board becomes interim manager
When most people run for the condo board of directors, the last thing they imagine is a situation where they’re actually running the condominium.
Handling common expense fees during COVID-19
Over the course of the last few weeks, many condo corporations have been asking whether they can defer owners’ common expense fee (CEF) payments or
Manager’s guide to electrical system maintenance
To plan for electrical system maintenance, it's helpful to understand how power is delivered to and distributed around the building.
Keeping a condo’s meeting minutes professional
If property manager are responsible for taking the meeting minutes, editing and formatting may take a back seat to other priorities.
Accessibility tracks sustainability trajectory
Market pressure and industry competitiveness could propel accessible commercial real estate in the coming decade, much the way those complementary forces have already bolstered energy efficiency and low-carbon footprints.
Energy retrofits announced for GTA residential buildings
The Canadian government has earmarked $5.75m in grants and loans to conduct “deep energy retrofits” within four multi-residential buildings in Toronto and Hamilton.
Alberta energy efficiency programs in question
Ontario draws on the legacy of more than a dozen years of programming, while Energy Efficiency Alberta has had little time to capture public or capital planners' attention.
A blind spot in new EV charging station rules?
The new rules that will steer the installation of electric vehicle charging stations at Ontario condo properties starting next week may have a blind spot.
Will ‘ultra-high-rises’ cost more to maintain?
The new crop of 'ultra-high-rise' condos rising in Toronto will be more complicated and consequently more costly to maintain, one engineer is warning.
Accessibility certification fills industry void
Much of the existing building stock falls short of the universal design ideal, but RHFAC can help owners/managers identify impediments to access and set priorities to address them.
Lighting design that illuminates condo security
Lighting design can make a big difference in the safety and security of a condominium.
How to start an energy-saving campaign
A property manager walks through how condo boards can combat rising utility bills by starting an energy-saving campaign.
Automated doors aren’t just for accommodation
With automated doors on the upswing, an electrician explains how to successfully manage the installation of operators.
Five ways to curb utility costs in condominiums
Coming changes in Ontario are cause for condo corporations to curb their utility costs. An expert shares how, pointing to five energy efficiency retrofits.
Repairs and maintenance vs. substantial change
Directors have a statutory duty under Ontario’s current Condominium Act to repair and maintain the common elements of a condominium. In complying with this duty, directors
Pros and cons of solar panels on apartments
Solar power generation is a green way to reduce energy costs. But there are pros and cons of solar panels when it comes to apartment buildings.
Preventing structural damage in parking lots
Insufficient lighting, tight traffic patterns and poor drivers can lead to serious damage in parking lots, and therefore costly repairs.