Updated: January 14, 2021
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
The ultimate guide to condominium life in Ontario. How government, builders, property management, owners and tenants work together.
Welcome to the Ontario condominium real estate life portal of my condo home library, the Condorary
The continuity of building staff, contractors, 3 levels of government, owners, owner landlords and tenants is under the direction of dynamic self-managed corporations or enterprising condominium property management adhering to the spirit of a volunteer board of directors.
How to Use – Access to organizations is formatted as follows: Click on the title of their lead article to arrive at the latest post on their blog or article collection. Click on the organization name to go to their website. Click on an editorial selected topic of interest for the actual post.
Property Management Bookcase
Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario – CMRAO
The the Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario – CMRAO is the licensing branch that regulates the condominium market with the team from the Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario – ACMO.
Video
EV – Electric Vehicles
Electric Vehicle Charging Station Resources The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (MGCS) has recently introduced amendments to the regulations under the Condominium Act, 1998 (The Act), which establish a process to facilitate the installation of electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) in condo buildings. Condo managers have an important role to play in this new process.
Source: Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario – CMRAO
Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario – ACMO
Outdoor Annual General Meetings
“Our need will be the real creator”- Plato.
They say that necessity is the mother of invention. It’s the need or problem that encourages creative efforts to meet the need or solve the problem.
During the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions of public gatherings, condo corporations have had to postpone or conduct virtual annual general meetings. But what happens when a virtual AGM is not possible, and regulations change resuming the meeting deadlines? Condominium managers get creative.
Source: © 2020 ACMO – The Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario
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How to winterize your condominium
Five ways to get your property ready for Fall
Proclamation of Amendments to the Condominium Act, 1998 Respecting a Condo Guide
Certain legislative amendments to the Condominium Act, 1998 (Condo Act) related to a condominium guide (condo guide) will come into force on January 1, 2021.
© 2020 ACMO – The Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario ,
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Office of the Auditor General of Ontario’s Value-for-money audit condominium oversight in Ontario – December 8
Posting of Ontario’s residential Condominium Buyer’s Guide on the CAO website – November 6
Newsletter Envelope
Weekly Update – January 6, 2021
CM Magazine (PDF)
Feature PDF – CM Magazine Fall 2020 Issue
People from all walks of life have chosen the condominium lifestyle. How do you manage an inclusive, cooperative environment that brings out the best in everyone? In this issue, we discuss the challenges and opportunities involved with managing a diverse community. Source: © 2020 ACMO – The Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario.
Have a quick look into the Preview of articles in the Fall Issue.
Video
The ACMO Video Library containing 8 posts of which 6 are a construction oriented education series.
Education for Property Managers
The following colleges have programs with the four exams needed by ACMO – The Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario for licensing of condominium managers. Centennial College – Part Time Learning <> Conestoga College – Continuing Education <> George Brown College – Continuing Education <> Humber College – Condominium Management <> Humber College – Property Management <> Mohawk College – Continuing Education <> Seneca College – Part-Time Studies <> Sheridan College – Continuing and Professional Studies <> Sir Sandford Fleming College – Continuing Education
The above may not be a comprehensive list of sources or a link may change. Use OntarioLearn below to find the most up-to-date information and other industry related courses.
It’s the most impressive collection of shared online college courses in North America, right at your fingertips. All 24 of Ontario’s publicly-funded colleges are working together in OntarioLearn to offer you easy access to a wide variety of high-quality courses, programs and services online. Search our inventory to find your online course or program at a preferred start date, register with one of our member colleges that offers it, and log in to our Portal for one-stop access to your learning.
Source: ©OntarioLearn 2016
Jobs for Condominium Managers
Property Management Jobs in Ontario at the time of updating supplies the job seeker with a list of 512 positions with job descriptions and sometimes salary. For condo owners and students who want more knowledge of what property management is about, reading want ads is enlightening.
Owner and Tenant Bookcase
Tarion New Home Warranty Program
An essential business of great interest for both potential condo owners and condominium managers is the Tarion new home warranty program and registry of all new home builders in Ontario.
Tips on Buying a Pre-construction Home in Ontario
It can be challenging to navigate the new home buying process.
Source: © 2020 Tarion.
We are here to help – and have compiled a few tips on purchasing a pre-construction home or condo.
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Tips on buying a pre-construction home in Ontario .
Video
Dive into the Tarion Warranty Corporation Video Library for 100+ posts of helpful information resources for owners in both old and new buildings.
Canadian Condominium Institute – CCI
Condo owners across the province have access to one organization which provides networking for individuals and corporations to help build a sense of community, solve problems, advanced director training, contractor introductions and information about condo issues of the day by participating legal experts. The Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI) has 17 chapters nationally with 8 being in Ontario. The Toronto chapter is the most active.
Legislative Newsflash – Proposed Changes to the Employment Standards Act– Two bills proposing to amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “ESA”) are currently before the provincial legislature, each having passed second reading. The proposed laws have the potential to impact the condominium community in relation to sick leave and wages for residential workers.
Source: © 2020 CCI National.
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Proposed changes to the Employment Standards Act – December 14
Auditor General’s Report: Value for money condo oversight in Ontario – December 9
Future education requirements for condominium managers – November 18
COVID – 19 Updates – November 3
Condovoice Magazine (PDF)
Feature PDF – Condovoice Fall 2020 Issue Source: © 2020 CCI Toronto
Preview articles in the Fall issue.
Podcast and Video
Feature Podcast – Caselaw Storytime – Lahrkamp v. MTCC 932 (12:37)
Easy listening in the CCI National Podcast Library with podcasts going back to July 2015.
Feature Private Video – Insurance Issues (1:39:33) Source: © 2020 CCI National
The CCI National Video Library and CCI Toronto Video Library are open for visitors 24/7.
Community Associations Institute – CAI
CAI Canada provides education, licensing and credentialing opportunities to board members, professionals, and condominium and strata managers across Canada. We focus on helping to create great Canadian cities, which our owners and residents are proud to call home.
Source: © 2020 CAI Canada
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Video
Owner / Director Training
Condominium Authority of Ontario
Source: © The Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO)
The CAO Director Training Program is provided online and free-of charge, and is also available to condominium owners, residents, managers and the broader condominium community. Feedback on the training has been very positive, with an average of 88% of survey respondents reporting very high satisfaction and over 95% would recommend the training. The CAO’s Director Training Program consists of 21 short e-modules covering important topics that are relevant to condo board directors. The online modules are short, easy to follow, and include knowledge checks that provide multiple opportunities to answer correctly before moving on to new content. There is no pass/fail exam.
Condominium Law Courses
The courses below may be the first of four exams required by the Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario – ACMO for licensing of condominium managers. Although a board director is not required to take a course of this type, it is an optional upgrade for any condo owner. Centennial College – Part Time Learning <> Conestoga College – Continuing Education <> Confederation College <> Fanshawe College <> George Brown College – Continuing Education <> Georgian College – Continuing Education <> Niagara College Canada – Part-Time Studies <> Sheridan College – Continuing and Professional Studies <> Sir Sandford Fleming College – Continuing Education
EV – Electric Vehicles
Electric Vehicle Charging Systems The Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO) is dedicated to providing information, resources, and services to support condo communities across Ontario. For the changes to Ontario Regulation 48/01 relating to electric vehicle charging systems (EVCS) that came into force on May 1, 2018, the CAO has prepared a step-by-step guide for owners and boards which outlines the steps required to install an EVCS, as well as templates to assist owners in applying for the installation of an EVCS, and to assist condominium boards in responding to applications.
Source: Condominium Authority of Ontario – CAO
Plug’n Drive Plug’n Drive is a non-profit organization committed to accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles in order to maximize their environmental and economic benefits. Since 2011, Plug’n Drive has established itself as a leader in the electric vehicle industry, a trusted and unbiased source of information on electric cars, charging stations and the electricity sector.
Source: © Plug ‘N Drive
Announcements
Auditor General of Ontario
12/07/2020 – Value-for-Money Audit – Condominium Oversight in Ontario
Value for money? Ontario Auditor General slides down the rabbit hole into Condoland. Don’t read this excellent industry report if you are too busy with other things to take the time. Being clueless about how government agencies fulfill their legislated mandate for protecting condominium owners is a personal choice.
Ministry of Government and Consumer Services – MGCS
01/07/21 – Potential Permanent Changes to Enable Digital and Virtual Processes Survey – Public Input Request by 5 pm on February 8, 2021
Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario – CMRAO
CMRAO Quarterly is a new e-newsletter published quarterly about Ontario’s growing condominium management sector.
10/09/2020 – Autumn 2020 | Vol. 3 | Issue 1
Condominium Authority of Ontario – CAO
01/05/2021 – Introducing Ontario’s Residential Condominium Buyers’ Guide
01/01/2021 – Access and Privacy Policy
11/06/2020 – Posting of Ontario’s Residential Condominium Buyer’s Guide on the CAO Website
Webinar Events
01/26/2021 – CCI-T Webinar (12:00 – 1:30 PM) – Annual Condo Governance Registration
12/01/2020 – Coming soon – CCI-T’s Annual Case Law Review – Register Now!
11/06/2020 – CCI-T Webinar – Enforcement of COVID Rules in Condos (and more!)
Helpful Links
Condominium Law Practices Chit-Chat – Qtr4/20
Condominium Real Estate Data – Qtr4/20
Condominium Real Estate Governance – Qtr4/20
Condominium Real Estate Life – Qtr4/20
Home – Ontario Condominium Culture
