When talking about strata council members’ roles and responsibilities, there is almost always an emphasis placed on the requirement to enforce the bylaws and rules. Rule enforcement, while not something council members look forward to, is a critical part of maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for the people who live in the strata. If […]

Besides making monthly mortgage payments, condo owners must pay condo fees as well.  This amount covers maintenance costs for common areas in the condo building and it contributes to a rainy day fund. Sounds fair enough, right? Problem is, there’s no benchmark to how much condo fees should cost. In some places, it’s $50 while others […]

A strata council plays a vital role in governing the strata corporation on behalf of owners. It is responsible for making decisions and fulfilling responsibilities that will benefit the corporation and the community.  Council members are granted certain powers that enable them to perform their duties, but they can’t improvise as they go. Over 1.5 […]

HOA welcome packets can help new owners feel more at home, but there’s much more to a good packet than a nice letter and list of rules. Welcome packets allow associations to showcase the best of the development, including amenities and perks of living in the community, while creating a positive experience and making expectations […]

When an owner doesn’t pay their dues, the entire HOA has to deal with the consequences. Fees from owners are factored into an association’s budget, and when owners fall behind on payments, the HOA can’t cover all of its expenses. In very rare cases, homes have had to be foreclosed because owners could not meet […]

Running an HOA is a lot like running a business. Boards must look after finances, take care of maintenance, assist owners, organize meetings, etc. It takes a great deal of work to ensure an HOA runs smoothly, which is why many communities hire help. HOA management companies assist with day-to-day operations. HOA managers handle duties […]

A courier truck pulls up in front of a condo building. The driver unloads dozens of packages and drops them off at the front desk as quickly as possible. While concierge takes the parcels to the mailroom, another courier truck arrives. The packages are left unattended, but only for a few minutes. Unfortunately, it only […]

When someone buys a home that belongs to a planned community with covenants, they are generally expected to pay fees and assessments to a homeowners’ association. Though most owners pay these fees without any problems, HOAs can take serious action if an owner refuses to keep up with their financial obligations. Download our notice of […]

How does your condo handle all of the parcels that are delivered to the building every day? There’s a good chance that your security and concierge staff are responsible for logging and storing packages, and notifying residents that their delivery has arrived. While this task doesn’t seem too time-consuming, it can quickly become overwhelming if […]

Every condo community is required to operate according to its rules and bylaws. Owners, tenants and visitors are all expected to follow them. And while they may feel burdensome at times, rules help promote the safety of owners, and prevent unreasonable interference to the use and enjoyment of the building, common elements, and individual units. […]

Insurance isn’t exactly the most exciting condo issue. While few boards look forward to finding an appropriate policy, it’s always better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Condo insurance (also known as a master policy) protects the building in the event of an accident or incident. Unit […]

Your package has arrived! Who doesn’t love receiving that message? But, when you live in or manage a strata of 500+ people, package deliveries can quickly cause more grief than joy.  The winter holidays have come and gone, but many strata corporations are finding that the influx of Amazon boxes, furniture, clothes and groceries is […]

To manage a strata well, you need efficient processes and procedures in place. There are meetings to prepare for, fees to collect and maintenance issues to fix. And who could forget about all of that paperwork! These recurring tasks can easily take up much of your valuable time, especially if you start from scratch each […]

Some HOAs may be skeptical about launching or reviving a newsletter. “No one reads it.” “It’s too much work.” “We can’t afford it.” We’ve heard all of these concerns before, and they are valid points. But, a well-written, well-designed newsletter can be both affordable and engaging. This article aims to give you some original ideas […]

Spontaneity is not often wanted or welcomed when it comes to strata corporation meetings. Agendas help ensure meetings are carried out in an organized, systematic manner. They also enable strata council members to properly prepare for questions or issues that will take precedence during the meeting. When strata owners are sent an official notice of […]