Condo Living

November 5, 2024 Published by Manitoba Chapter - By Alan Forbes

Vintage Social Media (aka News Briefs)

From the CCI Manitoba Fall 2024 Condominium News and Views Magazine

We post news items on our website periodically as they come to our attention. If you are not regularly on our website, here is a list with links to enable you to catch up.

Please email us if you have an article or news story that might interest CCI Manitoba and our members.

How much of a special assessment can you afford?

Ever since the catastrophic collapse of the Champlain Towers condo in Florida a few years ago, condo boards have been paying more attention to deteriorating infrastructure and engineering reports. In this news item from the Daily Guardian, ‘No one has $70,000 lying around’: Toronto condo owners facing massive special assessment, condo owners are facing a huge bill in a property that is only seven years old. The problem pertains to water penetrating the parking garage. While the board is recognizing the impact on unit owners, it is not deferring action. One aspect not covered is the irony that condo acts are part of consumer protection, which seems to be absent in this case, with no mention of warranties or court action depending on the cause of the problem.

Do you have a disaster management plan for your condo?

Courtesy of the REMI Network (2024-07-31 by Jim Mandeville)  Helping condos stay afloat during a flood - Recent water-related events in the GTA underscore proactive measures. 

Climate change is resulting in more floods and fires. This article covers the main points of disaster management, including

1. Establish leadership
2. Develop and test plans
3. Communicate
4. Mobilize resources

As the article states, it is best to have a relationship with a professional restoration company in advance of any disaster. Is your condo corporation ready?

How well are your condo board directors and property management staff protected from harassment and violence?

Ever since the 2022 Vaughan shooting, condo directors and property managers have become much more aware of the risks of harassment and violence while they go about their duties. The Condominium Authority of Ontario drafted an anti-harassment rule for use by condominium corporations in the province - CAO’s Anti-Harassment Rule Sample for Condo Corporations. Along those lines, the REMI Network recently published an article by Luis Hernandez and Ingrid Kulik Legal case puts spotlight on condo security - New lessons address challenges property managers face with maintaining order in residential communities. In the case cited, there fortunately was no loss of life, but there certainly was harassment and serious threats of violence.The article addresses legal implications and prevention costs, and provides 10 key takeaways.

Does your condo have an anti-harassment or safety plan?

Short term rentals (STRs) in the news

While it had been somewhat quiet in the Winnipeg news media since the introduction of STR regulations earlier this year, an item about STRs in St. Boniface appeared recently. As well, STRs are still making the news across the country. Here is a recent sampling of articles.

2024-10-13 6 months on, more than 200 Airbnb listings appear to violate Winnipeg's new short-term rental bylaw, Catherine Moreau, CBC News. “Since April, rules allow a maximum of three rental properties per owner, but listings suggest some operate many more.” Neighbours of a property on Aubert Street are frustrated with parties, noise and shady characters, along with a constant changeover of people and vehicles. It appears there could also be a violation of the regulations for corporate or partnerships and how many STRs are allowed.

2024-08-01 Nearly a year after tougher rules for illegal listings took effect, Quebec hasn't fined Airbnb, translated by Sabrina Jonas, based on reporting by Radio-Canada's Jérôme Labbé. “Almost a year after legislation meant to force short-term rental platforms to take action against unauthorized tourist accommodations took effect, rental giant Airbnb has yet to incur any fines — despite the continued presence of illegal listings on its site.”

2024-07-31 Report sheds light on Canada’s short-term rental supply, REMI Network. “A new Statistics Canada report, released July 30, 2024, indicates that the number of short-term rental units has grown by 60 per cent since 2017, potentially taking valuable long-term rentals off the market.”

2024-07-29 Thousands of short-term rentals in B.C. still operating illegally, new data shows, Emily Fagan, CBC News. “Nearly half of the 22,405 short-term rental listings reviewed by the B.C. Ministry of Housing were found to be operating illegally, according to a preliminary analysis of newly released data from short-term rental platforms that the province says it will use to step up enforcement of new restrictions.”

2024-07-09 New rules on short-term rentals along Lake Winnipeg take aim at partiers, encourage responsible ownership, Darren Bernhardt, CBC News. “It's putting in that responsibility of good citizenship into operating a short-term rental.”

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Alan Forbes owns and lives in a condo and is a director of his condo corporation. He also is a director of CCI Manitoba and is its vice-president.