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5 Traits of Successful Condo Board Members

Condo Board members are a group of individuals – usually but not always owners within the condominium – who are elected at an Annual General Meeting to represent the interests of owners and community members that form part of the condominium property. They work alongside property management personnel, formulating decisions most suitable for the condo corporation and the condo owners or mortgagees. Board members who do their jobs effectively and practice good governance are responsible for some of the best run condos.

Here are five traits of successful board members:

1. Excellent Communicators

Miscommunication is one of the main reasons for conflict within a corporation. Because board members handle significant decisions and hold liability concerning the residents’ needs, they must be strong communicators.

Another great trait of an excellent communicator, is a board who takes a friendly tone and communicates to educate with respect in a professional manner. The condo board should speak with “one voice” and practice confidentiality and take care to protect the privacy of others.

Since board members make decisions based on the community within the condominium, it is their job to communicate with fellow owners residents and discuss their needs and interests. Board members oversee the organization of events and other activities throughout, therefore it is essential to consider opinions and to communicate regularly with community members.

Listening to understand owners and residents is key to ensure that board members can govern and meet the expectations. Whether this is an annual survey or an informal email, asking for positive feedback and opportunities for improvement is a great way to engage owners and make sure the condominium board is in touch with the current needs of the Corporation.

Asking for feedback and providing a format to ask questions or provide feedback also helps build communication and engagement. If engagement is a problem, maybe it is because owner’s feel that the board isn’t open to change or considering an alternate perspective.

2. Strong Understanding of Finance

Another key obligation of the board members is working alongside property management and handling budgetary operations. A strong understanding of finance is mandatory to meet community needs concerning maintenance, events, and general affairs.

Typically, property management personnel will control the day-to-day financial obligations, but board members contribute and make recommendations based on the needs of the condo community.

3. Team Player

A condo board usually consists of three to seven people. Each board member’s role is to collaborate effectively with each other and to meet the needs of the condo community. Working together as a team is a fundamental part of the process. Board members work together by sharing ideas and asking for feedback within the group.

A team player respects the ideas and knowledge of others, keeps an open mind to suggestions, and contributes from their area of expertise.

It is up to current board members to recruit new members when the time comes. Therefore, having familiarity with the strengths of each person is beneficial when adding new members to complement existing members, or if anyone needs to be replaced.

4. Constant Learners

Managing the needs of a large community entails being open to always learning. One thing we have learned this past year … Change is constant, and technologies and policies are changing every day. People don’t live the way they did even 5, 10 or 20 years ago.

Therefore, board members must stay up to date with corporation policies and procedures and the needs and expectations of those within the community.

The drive to keep on learning coincides with the road to success simply because the individual is open-minded and willing to go the distance. It can be as simple as learning more about dogs to help condo owners with specific issues they may run into, or as complex as the architecture within the condo to answer any questions owners may have to figure out how an improvement can be made for the benefit of all involved.

As a licensed property management brokerage, Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. invests in the continued education and licensed certification of our team members. We believe that licensed managers demonstrate to our clients that we are invested in providing a proven professional track record of property management.

5. Organized

Organizational skills are a huge asset in becoming a successful condo board member. To execute all tasks and responsibilities, one must effectively plan and organize meetings, events, and other affairs.

Becoming a board member requires a lot of responsibility, and without the appropriate organizational skills, it would be challenging.

For more information on fundamental goals of board members and the importance of the collective decisions they make in service to corporation and the members which they represent, visit: A Beginners Guide to Condo Board Member Responsibilities.

Let Us Help You

All condo owners want the success of condo boards. While the above are just some of the common traits we’ve found to be inherent skills of great board members. As it is just a summary, it does highlight traits integral to good governance of a condominium corporation.

Are you an existing condo board member looking to improve your skills or a community member looking to join the board? Our team at Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. can help you with answering any questions you have about the roles and responsibilities as a member of a condo board. Board members are an essential part of the condo corporation, working to keep the community safe and happy.

Please call us at 403-237-8600 or contact us through our website.

Condominium Insurance Insights

What is condominium insurance?

As a condominium unit owner, you have title to your own unit, as well as a share in common (and or managed) property such as the lobby, hallways, parking garage and other amenities. A bare land condominium may have fewer common areas, typically just streets or roadways but can also include managed property such as the roof, exterior siding, and sewer lines. It is important to note that the definition of what is “owned” by the unit owner depends on the condominium and typically outlined in the bylaws and on the condominium plan.

If you have purchased a condominium unit, the insurance policy you bought might have seemed similar to something like the coverage you might have gotten with a Tenant insurance policy (i.e. Personal contents and liability).

When it comes to buying condominium owner coverage, it is important to note that coverage is available under two separate and distinct policies: one for the corporation, and one for the unit owner.

Having two insurance policies can be confusing but while the two policies are separate in their coverages and wordings, in combination, they may provide all risk coverage for your unit and contents.

Detailed information about what is covered is specific to each Corporation and typically defined in the Condominium Bylaws. Your Insurance Broker is the expert with respect to your personal coverage. Call them and discuss your concerns to make sure you get the best possible coverage for your protection.

Tip: Provide your condominium corporation’s insurance policy plus your bylaws to your insurance broker. This helps to make sure you have the proper coverage in place.

Why do I have to buy condominium unit owners insurance?

The Condominium Property Act specifies that condominium corporations are responsible to insure Corporation owned property, and unit owners are responsible to insure their Units and personal property.

In addition to the Corporation’s policy, it is especially important that you also have a Condominium Unit Owners Policy in place for your protection. Remember: The Corporation’s policy does not cover your personal contents, liability or in many cases, improvements to your unit.

How does this insurance benefit me?

Like homeowner’s insurance, a condominium owner’s policy would cover the insured’s personal property and contents, third party liability, and additional living expenses in the event something happens (like a fire or burst water pipe) that prevents them from staying in their home.

In addition, condominium owner insurance also protects the unit’s improvements and betterments, deductible costs, the unit itself or a loss assessment on the building should the corporation have no insurance or have inadequate insurance for which that the owner’s policy would normally cover.

What is Loss Assessment Coverage?

Loss assessment coverage is unique to condominium insurance. Since unit owners share responsibility for common property or elements, this coverage pays your share (up to a stated limit) for a major property or liability loss on common property.

Important insurance changes impacting deductibles and loss assessment coverage

Effective January 1, 2020, the Condominium Corporation has the power to seek recovery from any Owner where damage has originated from the owner’s unit for the deductible up to a maximum of $50,000 on an insurance claim. This “absolute liability” means that regardless of whether there was proven negligence or not, the Corporation can hold the Owner liable. This clause is part of the Condominium Regulations (Section 62.4).

For example:

If the Corporation’s deductible is $15,000, and there is damage that originates from an owner’s unit, in the amount of $20,000, the Condominium Board has the authority to recover $15,000 from the Owner.

Alternatively, if the Board has a $15,000 deductible, but the damages are only $5,000, the Board only has the authority to recover $5,000.

In the same regard, if the Corporation has a deductible that is over $50,000 and damages exceed the deductible, the maximum the Board can recover is $50,000.

What steps can condominium unit owners take to protect themselves and have the proper condominium unit insurance policy?

Ask your Condominium Board or Property Manager for a copy of the Corporation’s Insurance Certificate
Contact a personal Insurance Broker and provide them with a copy of the corporation’s certificate along with a copy of your condominium bylaws
Confirm that their Unit Owner policy has deductible or loss assessment coverage and how much they are covered for in the event they are obligated to pay.
Confirm the amount of the deductible for the Condominium Corporation’s insurance policy(on the corporation’s insurance.
Confirm that the value of deductible coverage in their Unit Owner policy is at least equivalent to the value of the Condominium Corporation’s deductible; and
Pay attention to any notice from the Corporation which changes or increases the amount of the Corporation’s deductible and increase their coverage (to a maximum of $50,000), as required.
Get written confirmation from your insurance provider that they have deductible coverage for the Corporation’s deductible.
Keep a copy of your policy with your important documents and review coverages annually on receipt of your corporation’s insurance renewal for any changes or coverage updates.

Note: Deductible coverage is different from special assessment coverage.

With close to 50 years of property management experience, Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. is a licensed property management brokerage and trusted to respond with experience and responsive systems. Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. offers a wide range of condominium property management services. Our primary goal is to offer peace of mind and help condominium boards realize the long-term profitability, a solid governance approach and assist to minimize risk. Contact us today to find out more about how our team at Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. can help by calling 403-237-8600.

Why do property managers do inspections?

Importance of Property Management Inspections

Property Inspections are a key to property management systems and processes … and again this year, it looks like inspections will be completed very differently than they have in the past! Inspections: pre, during and post COVID-19, continue to evolve while their importance remains relevant as ever.

Rooftop views captured of downtown Calgary during recent condominium property inspection (May 2021)

Moreover, inspections are done for a variety of different purposes and reasons. For example: checking for damages before and after move-ins or move-outs; inspecting work completed by contractors, making sure your property’s first impression meets the grade; and, helping to plan for preventative or necessary repairs. Likewise, inspections are done on different schedules (ie) weekly, monthly, semi-annually and annually. It often depends on the purpose and property needs.

Another important purpose for property management inspections are to ensure that you are meeting your insurance obligations when it comes to vacant properties. For instance, insurance companies can require vacant inspections at certain frequencies depending on the policy.

Ultimately, the goal of any inspection is to protect the equity in your property for the enjoyment of owners and residents.

Essentially, the purpose of an inspection is to observe conditions, assess maintenance programs and note opportunities for improvement. Furthermore, they provide a mechanism for reporting back to property owners and condominium boards. This helps facilitate conversations to protect that value of the property. Further, this integral procedure helps a property manager support the owner or condominium board in making informed decisions. Having knowledge is key in taking a proactive approach and optimizing the occupants use and enjoyment.

Depending on your property management agreement, property inspection help a board or owner make informed decisions about maintenance requirements and protect the value of their asset.

Often a condominium community or apartment building will employ a resident manager or building operator to support this mission of conducting regular site inspections. Other times and depending on your budget along with the engagement of your condominium board, committee or owners, everyone can assist with inspections. Ultimately, everyone’s support as a team vested in the success of your property and being the “eyes and ears” assists to catch property issues and maintenance concerns so that problems can be addressed before they escalate into bigger issues.

Since every property and condominium corporation is unique, it is important to ask your property management company how they inspect the properties they manage and their recommendations on how they can help support effective solutions to meet your expectations that are in-line your budget requirements.

The following are questions to consider when it comes to inspections:

Why do I need regular inspections?

Regular inspections help avoid bigger problems from taking you by surprise. Regular inspections are great for inspecting common areas and the exterior. With COVID19 and everyone’s safety top of mind, the inspection of interior spaces is being handled a little more creatively. The use of ZOOM, FaceTime and Video Conferencing have proven fantastic tools when quarantine concerns and social distancing rules apply. Being flexible and resourceful is more important than ever – ‘where there is a will, there is a way”.

How often do you inspect the exterior of the property?

TIP: A drive by inspection can be done frequently. While it is less formal, this type of inspection may be very acceptable for frequent visits.

A full-scale exterior inspection is great for seasonal changes or after large infrastructure repairs. Typically, a full building or 100% inspection is done on an annual basis, but some areas or features of your property or condominium corporation may need to be checked on more frequently.

Again, this is something you can schedule quarterly or when session changes – basically at an interval that makes sense for your property. Do you have a goal around capital expenditures? Are you reviewing potential improvements relating to your reserve fund report? Go through your list, bring along your smart phone and start walking! Check off items that are in good shape and make detailed notes of anything that needs fixing. You can always prioritize a plan of action later … and don’t forget to take pictures! Your property management company will have tools and a process in place to assist with their internal controls and reports when it comes to reviewing needs and arranging for repairs and maintenance.

Who completes the property inspection?

As noted above, the property inspection is integral to the successful management of any property and often a responsibility assigned to the property management company. Inspections can be completed by the property manager, however; they can also be completed by the broker, team manager, support staff or valued contractors.

Inspections are valuable tools to assess what needs to be done to keep your property in great condition, maintain value and potentially reduce the need for significant repairs. Sometimes, you may feel that more frequent inspections are required to support your goal with respect to the overall resident experience and asset appreciation.

A successful inspection requires a property manager to be watchful and observant, looking at property element with scrutiny balanced with the understanding of the owners goals and budget instructions.

While this may be out of the scope of your property management services, depending on your needs and expectations, you may wish to add-on additional inspections for a set fee or may look at engaging a professional inspection company.

What’s on a property inspection checklist?

This varies from property to property and depends on the type of inspection you are completing.

For example, a bareland condominium corporation or a single family home would have different elements compared to an apartment building or hi-rise condominium. Larger properties will have more complex mechanical checks supported by preventative maintenance programs and annual certifications.

Depending on the type of property your property manager is inspecting, the following is a quick sample of what a property manager would look at during a routine inspection:

Windows

Check to see if there are any signs of moisture
Do opening and closing devices work
Are there any visible window seal issues?
Are the windows clean
Are moisture issues evident on ledges
Look for any irregular concerns

Common Hallways

Inspect the walls, floors, and ceilings for damage and cleanliness
Pay attention to HVAC systems and venting
Is emergency signage working
Are fire doors closed
Inspection dates on fire extinguishers
Look out for signs of rodents or bugs
Are hallways free of hazards

Exteriors

Note the condition of the siding or brick
Inspect for litter
Review exterior landscaping
Inspect exterior doors to ensure they close property and are secure
Look at sidewalks for hazards
Review signage
Examine balconies for bylaw infractions or potential repairs

Risk management

Review factors affecting health such as cleanliness
Inspect items that support well-being and safety of residents
Survey property operations and resident liaison activities
Assessment of risk
Review of security concerns or potential hazards

Again, the type of inspection needed depends on the type of asset and the purpose of the inspection (ie) preventative lifecycle, periodic tenant inspection, building exterior visual assessment to meet city bylaw requirements, etc.,.

Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. Is a licensed property management brokerage. Its team of licensed property managers understands the importance of property inspections and the importance of teamwork when it comes to managing real estate assets and condominium corporations. We pride ourselves on a reputation grounded in integrity, reliability, and value for service. We are excited for the opportunity to help you to define goals, review strategy options and understand your property maintenance needs and can help you:

Evaluate performance and progress
Identify successes and problems
Make long-term decisions, and
Develop long term property maintenance plans.

All of this starts with a property inspection and a conversation about your goals! Contact us today to learn how Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. can help your condominium corporation and condo board plan for the future. In any condominium corporation, this is an essential part of strong management and potentially prevent painful situations like expensive special assessments. For more information on the wide variety of services Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. offers, please contact our team at 403-237-8600.

The purpose of board meetings is for the directors to talk about any issues that the Corporation is facing.

A board is a collection of individuals or board members who represent the interests of all owners in a community or in the co-habited building they occupy. There are a variety of boards involved in and that relate to ownership and property management of real estate assets. Two of the most well-known boards are the Home Owners Associations (HOA) and Condominium Boards.

The fundamental goal of board members and the collective decisions they make is to serve the corporation and the members which they represent.

Board member positions are elected by their peers (who are also owners in the Corporation), and their actions are governed by the Articles of Association (AoA) when it comes to HOAs and the Condominium Bylaws when it comes to Condo Boards. These official documents are typically registered and specific to the property in question.

To make it easy to understand, we have summarized some key qualities, responsibilities, and duties of the board members in this article.

Read on to learn more!

Key Qualities of Board Members

Some of the key qualities of a board member can be summarized as:

Having a deep interest in the equity and mission of the Condo Corporation and the property management of the condo community
Being dedicated and committed to fulfilling the Corporation’s goals
Possessing a genuine and respectful attitude toward colleagues, property management and community members and their views

Overview of the Board’s Duties

Whether an HOA or Condo Board, the duties of those occupying board member positions include:

Establishing the organization’s objectives and goals
Organizational planning
Monitoring and managing financial resources
Assessing and developing skills of the property managers and board members
Serving on various committees
Recruiting new board members as required
Promoting the organization or Corporation

Responsibilities and Duties of the Board Members

There are various positions on an HoA or Condo Board, with the main ones being:

President: The president leads the board and is responsible for overseeing and handling many of its procedural duties. It can help to see them similar to an Executive Officer of the board.

As with any executive officer, the president is responsible for running meetings, establishing the agenda, and executing contracts and other legal documents pertaining to the community or property. understand how to run an effective meeting.

Vice President: The main role of a vice president (VP) is to act as a substitute for the president should they be unavailable for whatever reason.

The VP must oversee the rest of the board or association to ensure it continues to run smoothly as well as presiding over annual or board meetings as required.

The VP also needs to follow the president’s directives and carry out any tasks assigned to them, plus serve as the liaison for one or more HoA or Condo Board committees.

Secretary: The secretary is responsible for:
- Recording the minutes of all meetings of the board of directors
- Maintaining records of committee meetings
- Updating and maintaining membership lists
- Providing for the safekeeping of all official contracts and records of the organization
- Maintaining and updating bylaws and arranging distribution of notices of scheduled meetings
Treasurer: The treasurer acts as the financial manager for the board and is responsible for funds and maintaining all financial records. This may be billing and collections or disbursement of funds.

Along with that, they are also responsible for:

- Overseeing the organization’s financial administration
- Reviewing and enforcing financial policies and procedures
- Creating and monitoring the budget and generate financial reports
- Advising on financial strategy and fundraising
Community Manager: The community or property manager is responsible for the management and support of the community including daily operations, regular interaction with and support of the Board of Directors and homeowners/ or vendors, attending neighbourhood meetings, etc.

They are also responsible for managing and handling communications from both sides (i.e., from owners and the board) and supervising the social media, events, and content creation.

* Often the administration of many of the duties highlighted above, are delegated to the Property Manager or Property Management Company in the terms in the Condominium Management Agreement. The Board directs and the property manager, manages.

Can We Help With Matters Relating to Your Board Members?

While attending and being engaged at board meetings is a key part of a director’s job, but it can also prove challenging to make them effective and enjoyable. If you are a board member looking for support to manage time over runs, lack of focus and support with agendas, our team at Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. can help!

If you are looking for assistance regarding any aspect of property management, including issues related to condo board members, why not give us, at Emerald Management & Realty, a call today?

Talk to us at 403-237-8600 or contact us through our website. We’ll be pleased to assist you in with your condominium management goals!

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