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COVID19 Update Mandatory Mask Bylaw

Mandatory Mask Bylaw

On August 1, 2020 the Calgary temporary mandatory masks bylaw comes into effect. This bylaw requires the wearing of masks or face coverings in any indoor space that the public has access. Businesses are also required to post signage where applicable along with maintaining a safe work environment.

As we continue to work together to help flatten the curve in Calgary, a sign requiring the use of a mask is posted at Emerald Management & Realty Ltd.’s front entry as the main reception area could be perceived as a public area. Current social distancing and sanitizing protocols remain in effect for the protection of our team and clients.

We understand that some people may be unable to wear a mask due to various medical reasons. This is a situation that we will address with kindness and understanding. That being said, our team understands that it is important to be in compliance with this bylaw for the safeguard of fellow team members, clients and customers. Everyone’s support and cooperation as we work with this new bylaw is most appreciated.

Our goal at the onset of Covid-19 was to keep our team and clients safe, healthy and working. As we enter this next phase, wearing a mask, practicing good hygiene, maintaining good health and wellness, in addition to remaining diligent to the habits already developed continues to be important. Our team is aware that when it is not possible to maintain social distancing in accordance to Alberta Health Services recommendations, a mask is required when in public, on a job site and when working with customers.

In support of this temporary bylaw, half a million masks have been made available for free around the city of Calgary. Free masks in packages of 10 are available at select recreation centres, Calgary Transit stations, bus terminals, and animal shelters.

For more information on this Bylaw and for helpful tips to help limit the spread, visit:

COVID19 information continues to be fast moving. Please let us know if you have any concerns or notice a sanitation issue in properties being managed so that we can work together to minimize the risk of transmission.

A big thank you, from our team to all of our clients, customers, trade members and third party contractors, for your support and collaboration during these difficult times! Stay well!

10 Property Management Tips to Survive Winter

Extreme winter temperatures and arctic winds can take a major toll on single family homes, residential rentals and condominium buildings. It is a good idea to take the necessary precautions to minimize heating emergencies and avoid unnecessary insurance claims.

These 10 helpful and basic property management tips can help make sure you can brave the cold during extreme winter conditions:

Want to spend more time on the slopes? Don’t let winter do a number on your rental home. Follow these 10 simple tips to pre-empt and potentially solve cold weather problems while protecting your property.

The following are some more useful maintenance and property management tips provided by Emerald Management & Realty Ltd., check out our other useful blog articles:

Let’s cut the red tape!

The new condominium regulations relating to governance matters were set to come into effect on July 1, 2019. The current government has paused the regulations giving six months to address concerns not attended to by the previous cabinet. The current government has committed to reviewing the amendments for relevancy, to cut unnecessary red tape and avoid the environmental burden of all the paper required.

Per the Press Secretary for Service Alberta, it is important that “stakeholders are heard and Alberta taxpayers are protected”.

Condominium regulations paused for red tape review. You can view the Province’s announcement here.

Until January 1, 2020 the Government of Alberta will be speaking with stakeholders by way of a review process. The purpose of this review is to determine if the Regulations and amendments to the Condominium Property Act are necessary or will create unnecessary administrative and environmental burden or challenge the volunteers that form condo boards responsible for their condominium corporations.

Updates and new information to follow. To find out more about the services provided to Condominium Corporations in Calgary & area, visit our website. Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. offers a wide range of services for condominium corporations and condominium boards. Our benefit to condo boards derived from our experience with over 40 years providing property management services is provided through our experienced firm and team members. Our experts are dedicated to enhancing your community and management of real estate assets.

What can you do when the weatherman predicts significant amounts of rainfall and you are experiencing a leak or flooding?

Rainy days … … we can appreciate that you would rather be snuggling in with a good book or catching up on your latest Netflix craving, however, sometimes Mother Nature has other ideas. If you experience a leak or flooding during a rainfall or stormy weather, there are some steps you can take to mitigate damage in your home.

Step 1.

Try and prevent as much damage as possible. As soon as you notice a a leak coming into your home, try to contain it. Place a bucket and/or a tarp under the leak to help minimize damage. Move valuables and documents out of the way.

TIP … If you notice water coming through a crack in the caulking in your home, around windows or doors, place a towel at the leak to catch the water.

TIP … If you have a sump pump or backflow valve, ensure it is working.

TIP … If you reside in a single family home, make sure your downspouts are directed away from your home. If you notice a leak in your basement during the rainfall, start by double-checking the positioning of your downspouts. If a downspout is causing water to run towards the home, change the direction away from the home and let your Property Manager know about the situation.

Monitor the water leak and contact our team at Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. at 403-237-8600 to discuss next steps. Sometimes, a roofer or maintenance person may not be able to assist until after the rain stops because of safety concerns.

If the leak is containable and not an emergency, complete our on-line maintenance request form to let us know of the non-emergency maintenance issue. Continue to monitor the situation and if it gets worse, keep us informed so that your issue can be handled at the appropriate priority level.

Step 2.

Try to dry out the area as much as possible. Use old towels, mops or other tools you have at your disposal to safely remove the water. Make sure to safeguard your personal items, electronics, etc., by moving them away from the water (finding another room or alternate location might be best as repairs could also be required and no point in moving them multiple times if you can avoid it). Unplug electronics and appliances where necessary.

TIP … Fans can be of great help! Not only do they circulate the air and dry out the area but can also help prevent mold from growing!

Again, if the leak is containable and not an emergency, complete our on-line maintenance request form to let us know about the issue. Monitor the situation, and if it gets worse, keep us informed so that your issue can be handled at the appropriate priority level.

Step 3.

If the leak gets worse, call us right away at 403-237-8600. Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. has a team on-call to address after hours emergencies. Let us know what is going on so that we can provide assistance and help trouble shoot the situation. We can experience high call volumes during periods of heavy rainfall; all calls will be handled in priority sequence.

TIP … Call 911 if someone’s life is in danger.

TIP … Have an evacuation plan and 72-hour kit if you need to leave your home.

TIP … For real-time updates and advisories in situations where heavy rainfall warnings or State of Local Emergencies have been declared, visit the City of Calgary’s Flood Information and sign up for alerts.

Depending on the size of the leak, you may need to call in extra support … especially when a bucket or tarp won’t contain the water. If a bucket and tarp are not an option, we might need to pump out the water or use alternate measures to handle the water entering your home.

Emerald Management & Realty Ltd.

As referenced above, sometimes problems that arise from a leaking roof can often only be temporarily repaired until the rain stops in part due to danger to workers and because the area of repair needs to dry out first.

Once these steps have been taken and any danger to yourself and you home has been avoided, as soon as the rain stops, more permanent repairs can be arranged.

Many leak and flood related repairs can only be done when the rain has stopped and the area dried out.

Depending on the nature and extent of the damage, this may result in an insurance claim. In these situations, the scheduling of repairs will involve the insurance company and timing of repairs impacted by their schedules.

Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. has 50 years of property management experience in Calgary, AB & area. Locally owned and operated, our top choice team has the extensive knowledge and support systems in place to attend to your property management concerns with the goal of protecting your real estate asset and the residents who call the property “home”.

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