Welcome to Condo’s Corner

by Daulton Read, OLCM

Issue #005

Get ready for a weekly dive into condo living like never before with Condos Corner. Speaking from my perspective as a Condo Manager, my goal is to entertain and provide valuable management insights and stories that can help you live your condo life a bit better—all with a little bit of wit, charm, and practicality.

What’s Happening This Week?

Eight mistakes to avoid as a board director

Daulton’s thoughts on video doorbells in condos

Send me some questions to answer!

Manager’s Memo: Avoiding Common Condo Board Blunders

Today, let’s talk about avoiding those pesky pitfalls that can trip up even the most well-intentioned condo board members.

1. Becoming Power Hungry

Picture this: a board member making decisions solo, bypassing the need for board approval. It’s a recipe for disaster and a violation of the bylaws, to boot. Let’s not forget the potential liability headaches for the whole corporation. Not a good look.

Solution: Keep the community’s best interests front and center. Your role is about teamwork, not solo flights of fancy. Consult with fellow board members, follow those bylaws, and remember, unity is key; at the end of the day, a board is not one director.

2. Micromanaging

Ever feel the urge to micromanage every detail? It’s a common urge but can lead to stepping on the toes of your property management company or diving too deep into operational minutiae.

Solution: Trust the experts. Your job is to set the big-picture goals, let the management company handle the day-to-day, and let your Superintendent do their job as well! If there is a dustball in the corner of a hallway, take a step back and think about how much else they are responsible for and how tiny that little bit of dust is in the grand scheme. 

3. Sharing Confidential Information

It’s tempting to chat about condo business outside of official meetings, but here’s the deal: loose lips can sink ships. Discussing sensitive matters, whether it’s policy debates, vendor negotiations, legal matters, personal data, and financial tidbits, it can spell trouble if not kept under wraps and trust me; it can spread throughout buildings like wildfire.

Solution: Zip it—outside of meetings, that is. Resist the urge to spill condo secrets during casual chats or email threads. When it comes to condo business, save it for the boardroom. Just ask yourself: is this really something that should be discussed outside of official meetings? When in doubt, err on the side of caution and keep it confidential.

4. Getting Impatient

The same old problems can feel like Groundhog Day, but patience is key. Don’t take frustrations out on those seeking help.

Solution: Shift your perspective. Every complaint is a chance to help, not a burden. And hey, maybe it’s time for a fresh approach if issues keep popping up.

5. Getting Personal 

It happens—emotions flare, disagreements bubble up, and suddenly, personal feelings are front and center. But here’s the rub: letting personal issues hijack board decisions can lead to major rifts within the community.

Solution: Stay pro, not personal. As a board member, your duty is to the community at large, not your own agenda. Keep a cool head, prioritize the greater good, and remember, it’s not personal—it’s professional.

6. Not Being Open Minded

In contrast to the board member who’s eager to change everything is the one who’s unwilling to make any changes. This can range from keeping reserve funds in a bank account that doesn’t yield interest to holding onto a property management company that isn’t providing the right level of service. Being averse to change or being too comfortable with the status quo may not be in the best interest of your community.

Solution: Embrace evolution. Each year presents new opportunities for growth and improvement. Take a step back and assess if your current setup is truly serving the community’s best interests. Also, a forward-thinking management company will bring fresh ideas to the table, helping you stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving industry.

7. Lack of Communication

We’ve all been there—a tough decision needs to be made, but the community’s left in the dark. Whether it’s a fee hike or a delayed response to resident concerns, silence isn’t always golden.

Solution: Keeping residents in the loop is paramount. Today, there are online communication platforms and portals that make communication a breeze. Take advantage of them to ensure the lines of communication are wide open. And when tough decisions are made, don’t leave residents hanging—address their concerns head-on.

8. Lack of Explanation

Ever wondered why a fellow board member said “no” without giving any context? It can leave folks scratching their heads and even brewing up negative assumptions like inflexibility or defiance.

Solution: Shed some light. When you’re voting “no,” take a moment to share your reasoning. It’s not about changing minds but fostering understanding. A brief explanation can work wonders in preventing misunderstandings, keeping the peace and leading to more productive board gatherings.

Daulton’s Thoughts: Video Doorbells in Condos

The integration of video doorbells in condos is a hot topic, offering enhanced security but sparking privacy concerns.

The Ontario Court of Appeal established that residents have a “reasonable expectation of privacy” on common elements, which varies based on factors like building size and access control. Highrise condos pose higher privacy concerns due to close proximity, while townhouse condos may have lower expectations. Most condos also restrict the ‘affixing’ of products onto common elements, making the installation of certain products not allowed.

Ultimately, condo corporations should establish rules to address video doorbell installation, balancing security and privacy concerns. Municipality guidance on private property surveillance should also provide insight.

Do you have a condo tale to tell or burning questions about condo living? Don’t be shy—share them with me! Whether it’s a funny story, a management mystery, a celebratory story, or just a nightmare, we’re all ears. Respond to this email so we can keep the content coming.

Make sure to share this newsletter with your friends, family, and, more importantly – that neighbour who could learn a few things!