- July 24, 2014
- Posted by: @dmin
- Category: Condo Community Issues
Condominium living has been on the rise in Canada for a long time. A study released last year indicated that increasing property prices have pushed more Canadians into condo living situations, with as many as 1 in 8 households occupying condos versus single family arrangements.
With this push into more community-oriented housing, certain Toronto condo management services become more and more necessary. In fact, the major urban centers like Toronto account for 53.5% of those Canadian households currently occupying condominiums.
The trend shows few signs of stopping, as builders are building more and more condo units, and 34.4% of residential dwellings constructed between 2001 to 2011 were condominium units. This number is quite an increase from prior years, where they accounted for only 9.4% of new residential dwellings.
Condo living comes with many perks:
Residents often have access to amenities such as:
- Dedicated fitness centers
- Parks for children
- Swimming pools
- Clubhouses
Condo dwellers can also receive the benefit of Toronto condo property management companies, who are often responsible for things like:
- Landscaping
- Exterior maintenance
- Facility repairs
This means residents at condo communities have fewer responsibilities in terms of landscaping and building maintenance, and can instead focus on their individual units. In many instances, this saves them significant time and expense as they do not have to focus on landscaping or other exterior matters.
Unfortunately, condo living is not without its challenges. Residents share a wall, or sometimes two walls, with their neighbours, not to mention those who are upstairs or downstairs from your unit. This can lead to noise issues.
Aside from that, you may get neighbours who do not always comply with the rules and regulations set down by your Toronto condo management services and associations, such as those regarding pets or parking.
It is important to note that issues between condo owners and residents are an area typically handled by your condo board of directors. While a property management company can often field complaints to pass along to association members and may be somewhat involved with the enforcement of certain rules and policies, any disciplinary measures are usually doled out by the associations themselves.
That said, we at ICC® Property Management have dealt with our fair share of complaints, and we make it a priority to assist condo boards and condo residents with achieving a harmonious living experience in order to increase the quality of life at the complexes that we manage. It is one of the things that sets us apart in the area of Toronto condo property management.
The rules set down by your condo association should, at a minimum, cover a few key issues:
- Noise levels. The rules should make it clear about what noise levels are acceptable and at what hours.
- Pet issues. The rules should indicate any size and weight restrictions, as well as the number of pets, and rules for cleaning up after pets. They should also indicate rules about leashes and where pets can go to play or walk.
- Parking spaces. The rules should explain what permits and stickers are needed, how parking spaces are designated, and procedures for guest parking.
- Renovations. The rules may delineate any approvals needed to conduct certain repairs or renovations, especially if they might be disruptive to neighbours or may affect the external appearance of the building.
- Care of common areas. The rules should set the standards for any areas that are considered common, such as parking lots, sidewalks, hallways, lounges, green space, parks, pools, fitness centers, and the like.
The rules and regulations for a particular condo association should make policies and procedures clear so that fewer issues arise for Toronto condo property management companies and their associations to deal with. Often, reminders about the rules will be sufficient to quell many issues, as they are often common sense and people simply may forget to be considerate in their own living quarters periodically.
When problems arise, the procedures for dealing with them should be clear and may be part of the rules and regulations or the bylaws of a particular condo community.
If a problem is widespread, such as pet owners frequently forgetting to pick up after their animals, then a general mention in the community newsletter, if one is issued as part of your Toronto condo management services, may help remind people to clean up.
On the other hand, a problem may be on an individual level, such as one person who may not be minding the parking regulations. In such instances, an initial phone call may be all that is needed to solve the problem. Many of these types of issues arise out of simple ignorance of the rules and can be cleared up once a person is made aware of them.
If an individual consistently creates a problem by being inconsiderate, despite knowledge of the applicable rules – for example, repeated noise violations or disturbances – then you have more of a problem that must be escalated appropriately. Issuing a warning first is best, and it should usually be in writing in order to document that action was taken.
If the warning proves ineffective, it may be time to escalate to seek out the assistance of the corporation’s condominium lawyer, depending on the nature and extent of the disturbance. There are often actions that can be taken that will deter such future behaviors. Frequently, a letter from a lawyer is enough to get a problem resident to stop their activities when they realize how serious the consequences might be.
At ICC®, we go above and beyond for our clients by helping them resolve these community problems as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. Our years of
experience have given us insight into the nuances of community living, and we can often help you find effective solutions in order to keep residents happy and healthy.
Do you live in a condo community? How do you handle conflicts in your community? Share this article on Facebook and tell us how you deal with conflicts that arise in your condo community.
