Property Management Trends In The GTA: Industry Shifts, Hiring Trends, And What It Means For You

Property management trends across the GTA are facing a lot of change — and it’s not all about rising costs or new legislation. The way communities are managed is shifting, and so are the expectations placed on the people who do the managing.

Today’s property management trends reflect something bigger: a need for stronger communication, better long-term planning, and more realistic support, both for the building and for the professionals who keep it running.

Whether you’re part of a condo board or working in the field, understanding where things are headed can help you make better decisions and build stronger, more sustainable communities. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at how condo property management is evolving, and what that means for the people at the heart of it.

 

 

Property Management Tech Trends: Smarter Buildings, Smarter Operations

Technology has been part of condo life for a while now — security systems, digital entry, automated lighting — but what’s changing is how that technology is being woven into daily operations and governance. 

Updates to Ontario’s Condo Act, including permanent support for electronic voting and virtual meetings, show just how much digital processes are becoming part of the norm. 

Examples of the latest trends in property management systems technology include:

Resident Portals

Many buildings now use online portals or mobile apps to:

• Post announcements and meeting notices
• Share documents like AGM minutes or financial reports
• Respond to resident requests and track communication history

Maintenance Tracking

Digital maintenance logs help managers:

• Report issues quickly, with photos or notes
• Track repair status and history for units or common areas
• Coordinate with vendors without juggling separate emails or spreadsheets

AI and Automation

Automation tools are becoming more common in condo management, helping reduce the number of manual tasks managers deal with each day. 

• Automatically logging and routing resident service requests
• Sending reminders for upcoming maintenance, meetings, or document deadlines
• Organizing digital records so nothing gets lost in an inbox or filing cabinet
• Amenity booking, resident service requests, and more

Technology isn’t about replacing the people who do the work. It’s about making that work more manageable and focused. 

For board members, that means better communication and a clearer view of what’s happening across the building. For property managers, it’s a way to cut through the noise, spend less time chasing paper trails, and focus more on long-term planning and community relationships.

Increased Demand for Transparency and Board Collaboration

Across the GTA, many condo boards are asking for more visibility into the everyday operations of their buildings. It’s not about micromanaging — it’s about feeling confident in the decisions they’re responsible for. 

Whether it’s reviewing financials, selecting vendors, or planning ahead for major repairs, there’s a growing need for clarity and context.

Here’s how that shift is showing up in the day-to-day:

Boards are asking better questions.
Reports are helpful, but most boards are looking for more than numbers. They want to understand:

• Why a certain contractor was recommended
• Whether a recurring issue points to something bigger
• How today’s decisions will affect the building five or ten years from now

Property managers are stepping into more collaborative roles.
It’s becoming more common for managers to help guide decisions, not just carry them out. That can include:

• Sharing pros and cons between vendor quotes
• Highlighting trade-offs in project timelines or budgets
• Offering insight that helps the board think a few steps ahead

Transparency works best when it’s part of the relationship.
Digital tools have made it easier to share documents and track updates, but technology alone doesn’t build trust. That comes from:

• Clear, honest communication
• Regular check-ins and status updates
• A dynamic where questions aren’t just tolerated — they’re expected

When boards and managers approach the work as a partnership, it’s easier to avoid misunderstandings, catch issues early, and make decisions that serve the long-term health of the community.

Capital Planning And Sustainability Are Front And Center In Property Management Trends

More condo boards are taking a long-term view when it comes to managing their buildings — and it’s not just about budgeting. Conversations are shifting toward sustainability, risk reduction, and how to make smarter investments that extend the life of major systems and components.

This change is being driven by a few familiar pressures:

• Aging buildings that require more than just patchwork fixes
• Rising costs for insurance, utilities, and materials
• Growing awareness of environmental impact and efficiency

Preventive maintenance is becoming the baseline.
Reactive maintenance is expensive — both financially and operationally. Boards are looking for managers who can help plan ahead, identify patterns, and schedule regular upkeep that keeps systems running longer and reduces the chance of surprises.

Reserve fund planning is under closer scrutiny.
Board members want to know how today’s decisions fit into the next five, ten, or twenty years. That means:

• Revisiting Reserve Fund Studies regularly
• Prioritizing projects based on risk and timing
• Communicating clearly about trade-offs when timelines or budgets shift

Sustainability is part of the conversation.
Upgrades that improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, or lower long-term costs are gaining traction. These could include:

• LED lighting retrofits
• High-efficiency HVAC systems
• EV charging infrastructure
• Building envelope improvements

What This Means For Boards And Managers

The role of condo property management is changing, but not in ways that should feel overwhelming. What we’re seeing are shifts that reflect real-world needs — stronger communication, better planning, and support systems that work for everyone involved.

For board members, the takeaway is this: working with a management company that understands these changes isn’t just helpful, it’s practical. When managers are supported, buildings run more smoothly.

And for property managers, this evolving landscape can actually be a good thing. More realistic expectations, better tools, and stronger collaboration mean you don’t have to carry the whole weight alone. There are still places that treat this work with the respect it deserves. For more insight into today’s trends and best practices in property management, contact ICC Property Management today.