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Security Tips to Improve Peace of Mind

Condo and apartment lifestyle is certainly different than living in a single family home.  One thing they do share is the importance placed on safety and peace of mind when it comes to security.

6 Tips for safety condo livingSafety and security is a responsibility shared by each one of us and should be kept top of mind to keep yourself, your property (the entire property) and your neighbors safe.   Please help protect yourself and your neighbors by considering some basic steps that can help deter suspicious and/or illegal activity:

  1. Suspicious activity should be reported to the non-emergency police line at 403-266-1234, and then to your property manager.  If a break-in is imminent and/or in progress — call 911.  If you have experienced a break-in, please report it to the police.
  2. If you don’t know them … please don’t let them in.  No one should follow you in the front door or into the parking areas without request.  You might to consider saying “Hello” to people trying to follow you into the property, as criminals hate being engaged. This is also a great reason to get to know your neighbors.
  3. Keep vehicles free of valuables and personal items when they are left parked.  This includes documents with personal information, garage door openers, keys, etc. (… just make sure you have the necessary documentation with you when you drive!)  When you have removed valuables from your vehicle, consider placing a sign visible to potential thieves that says: “All valuables have been removed”.  
  4. Protect yourself and your property. Lock all your doors and windows when you are not at home and be mindful of open doors and windows when you are home.  Even if you are above the ground floor, a balcony can still be a target for theft or intrusion. If you notice a door property open or not locking securely, let your building or property manager know right away about the security risk.
  5. Be aware of your surroundings. If you see someone that doesn’t belong, please take note.  Contractors should all have identification and we can’t imagine anyone that would mind identifying themselves when respectfully asked if they belong in the building or on the property.  Report any suspicious people.  This builds a strong case for getting to know your neighbors.  If you see someone behaving strangely, don’t hesitate to contact the police.
  6. Be mindful of the lighting and landscaping in and around your property. Report any burnt out bulbs, damaged lighting or overgrown landscaping.  Proper lighting and smart landscaping is a very good deterrent to crime.  Notify your building or property manager about dimmed, burnt out lights or maintenance issues to help to improve everyone’s safety.

These 6 tips are all great safety and no (even low) cost measures that can be put into practice for condominium community, even your single family home or multi-family rental property.

For clients of Emerald Management & Realty Ltd., issues that require attention can be reported to any of our property management team members at 403-237-8600 (24-hour emergency line) or by completing our online Maintenance Request Form.

By taking steps to treat the entire building exactly as would your home, these simple security measures could save you and your neighbors from avoidable damage and even theft and improve your sense of security.

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Tips to get your Rental Unit “Rent Ready”

Tips to get your Rental Unit “Rent Ready”

Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. strives to maintain a high standard of cleanliness in the buildings that under management. While some Resident Managers are responsible for the cleanliness of common areas and prepare vacant suites themselves, other larger rental communities may have cleaning staff or third party contractors who fulfill this need. In either situation, it is ultimately the Owner or the Property Manager’s responsibility to ensure that all of the following expectations are addressed to maintain pride of home for residents and maximize the first impression of prospective renters.

When it comes to getting a property rent ready, the goal in an ideal world is to have the unit in rent ready condition on or before the first of the month.  An inspection mid-month prior to the tenant moving out provides a great opportunity to see what work will be required.  Recognizing that a variety of factors may impact a tenant moving out, it is recommended that the cleaning services and repairs are scheduled in advance to accomodate a 24-hour turnover.   

If “life happens” (and it often does) you may may need to discuss options with the incoming tenant to work around them, especially in a tight rental market where turnovers are tightly timed.    In a softer rental market where vacancy is higher sometimes you have the luxury of time, but to maximize rental showings the goal should be to have suites cleaned within three days of vacancy. First impressions matter and the propsective renter should feel positive if the unit is in great condition or they can see that renovations and repairs are underway.

During suite preparation, thoroughly inspect each room from the light fixtures to the baseboards.  It is important to make sure all elements of a room are clean and in good state of repair. While doing your checks, be sure the smoke detectors are working and change the batteries (if required) to ensure proper function. In cooler months, double check that the heaters are working, the baseboard heater panels are straight and free of dust, and set the thermostat appropriately for the weather conditions.

An area that often gets over looked is a deep cleaning of kitchen appliances.  Fridges should be cleaned (don’t forget the seals) and if needed, the icebox must be defrosted.  Keep the fridge plugged in and running while the suite is vacant. A box of baking soda or open jar of coffee beans will help with odors.  Range hoods should be in working order and free of grease and oil, this also includes the oven and trays under the elements.  Make sure to clean the wall behind appliances and the flooring underneath.

Its important to triple check all of the hard surfaces too.  The cleanliness of the floors is very important.  Strip and wax hard surfaces,  or polish tile if necessary. Ensure that the carpet has been professional cleaned as the carpet cleaning equipment rented from local grocery stores often just doesn’t do the job. Windows should shine and drapes or blinds checked for good working condition. Clean ridges in patio doors and dust drapery rods. Bathrooms should be spotless and lime stains removed with products like “Lime Away” or “CLR”.

Last but not least … make sure to remove any items left behind by the former tenant and/or any of your own personal property if you are renting your unit for the first time. This includes: shower curtains and hooks, foil on the stove, coat hangers, toilet paper, nails in the wall, etc.,.  While the unit is vacant, make sure to check the suite regularly and be mindful of insurance requirements. 

For more information on how Emerald Management & Realty Ltd., can help you with the management of your rental asset, please contact us at 403-237-8600 or complete our on-line Request for Proposal

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Spring has sprung! 4 tips to help with the seasonal transition

Spring has sprung! 4 tips to help with the seasonal transition

Change of season from winter to spring

 

Spring is afoot and  its exciting to watch the snow disappear and ready to get outdoors to enjoy warmer temperatures and greener views. However, with the changing of season from winter to spring, comes the need for some TLC around the exteriors of properties to help them recover from the impact of Old Man Winter. 

To maximize first impressions of your property, here are a few tips on what to look at as the snow melts away:

  • Taking time to complete periodic checks around the grounds make sure that garbage trapped under ice and snow has been picked up and that all exterior areas look tidy.  This is a great opportunity to get a jump on cleaning up the leaves that may have missed from the fall and gravel that has accumulated from the city streets. Curb appeal is a big draw for spring renters and prospective purchasers!
  • Make sure to have to look at gutters and eavestroughs. Lots of maintenance issues can result from temperature swings and heavy snow. The gutters should be inspected to make sure that there are not broken and any debris that has accumulated, cleaned out, and downspouts attached and directed away from foundations … with spring … comes spring showers and this is  a great opportunity to take preventive measure to avoid flooding.
  • With the extended cold temperatures experienced and fluctuations in conditions, its is recommended that at minimum a visual inspection of the foundations, driveways, etc.,. is done.  Checking these areas helps to investigate potential problems before they get worse.
  • Winter storms can leave a nasty residue all over the glass and looking out or in a dirty window can bring anyone’s mood down, especially when the sun starts shining through. A clean and sparkling view is a great mood lifter.

These tips may not seem that exciting compared to plans to set out patio décor and planters, but a few moments of prevention can go a long way to maintain curb  appeal for the satisfaction and enjoyment of all residents.

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Key Objective for Condominium Boards

Key Objective for Condominium Boards

Responsibilities of a Condo Board of Directors

 
Being a board member is a great opportunity to take an active role in your condominium community and be surprisingly rewarding.
 
Good governance should be a key objective that all Condo Boards strive for. Owners elect a Board of Directors to oversee the business affairs of the condominium corporation. The day-to-day operations and administration of the corporation are often delegated to the property management company. A condominium’s bylaws govern how the condominium corporation is run. Rules, often referred to House Rules & Regulations focus on the day-to- day concerns of condominium living and vary from condominium to condominium.
 
These rules may be very strict or very relaxed depending on the nature of the corporation, but they help ensure that the condominium is a safe, pleasant and attractive place to live. Rules also spell out what the rights and obligations are as an individual owner. The Condominium Property Act is the provincial legislation that sets out what matters can be covered by bylaws, and sometimes the rules. All bylaws and rules must be consistent with this legislation. If you are looking to join the board of directors, you should be prepared to meet regularly to conduct condominium business.
 
Meetings typically occur once a month, though they can happen more or less frequently.  The board of directors must ensure the corporation is run in compliance with the Condominium Property Act.  A Board is typically comprised of 3 to 7 members that are elected by the owners at the Annual General Meeting. Terms are generally outlined in the bylaws and quite often, terms are 1 year. Consideration should be given to staggering the appointment of new members to achieve terms from 1 to 3 years, so that no more than half of the Directors are being replaced or re-elected in any given year. This assists with succession and the transfer of knowledge to new board members.
 
Emerald Management & Realty, Ltd., a Calgary-based company, provides condominium management services in addition to their services provided to rental property investors who own apartments, single-family homes, commercial buildings, and single-unit condos. Recognized for its effective management style, Emerald Management & Realty, Ltd., oversees all building functions,including the administration and operations duties of condominium corporations in collaboration with condominium boards of directors.   Please contact us for more information  about the condominium management services we provide to Condominium Corporations to condos located in Calgary, Airdrie, Strathmore, High River and Canmore, Alberta.
 
 
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