Condo Living

March 27, 2026 Published by Golden Horseshoe Chapter - By Carole Booth, Maria Desforges

Preparation for Spring and Summer: A Check List for Corporations and Unit Owners

From the Volume 27, Spring 2026 issue of the CCI GHC Condo News Magazine

Once again, it is that time of the year! Late winter, early spring signals the time when management and superintendents start to prepare the property for the upcoming seasonal change – winter to spring and summer! The extent of amenities and outdoor features your condominium has, will determine what needs to be done and when. At the same time, unit owners are also starting to think about getting their exclusive use common element area (such as patio/deck or balcony) ready for being outside and enjoying the warmer weather.

The Manager and/or Superintendent in conjunction with Board members should review the corporations “to do list” for spring/summer. By doing a walk around, a visual check of the grounds (i.e., drains. sidewalks, roadways, trees), building (i.e., windows, caulking, downspouts/eaves, roofs), etc. can be accomplished. You may want to invite a representative from your landscaping company to join you to assess the conditions of the grounds; thus, snow clearing damages can be identified and repaired to the gardens and grounds.

The sooner the process is started, weather permitting, the better prepared your corporation will be! Be prepared! In order to make sure that tasks get done in a timely manner, be sure to book dates with vendors early - in plenty of time to make sure everything is scheduled and completed so that everyone can enjoy the spring/summer season. This is especially the case for eaves cleaning and window washing (if applicable). By beginning the process early, it provides the needed time to make required repairs, and it also allows for the availability of contractors, as they are all very busy in the spring.

As well, unit owners can be reminded of items that they may need to do to prepare their unit and or exclusive use common element with a newsletter, notice or tip sheet. Unit owners should notify their property manager of items that need to be repaired.

The information provided has been divided into two main categories – the responsibilities of the Management and/or the Superintendent and the responsibilities of the unit owner. Some of the items listed under Unit Owners, may be included in the corporation’s rules.

Management/Superintendent:

1. Schedule a general walk around – check cladding and all materials for damage. Winter can take its tole on all materials (i.e. glass, plastic, concrete, wood, brick).
2. Exterior inspection of buildings should include siding and facia for cracks and loose pieces. Check for missing bricks, required pointing, spalling (white salt deposits). Look for gaps around vents, roof edges and windows and doors. The condition of dryer vents should be checked for winter damage and replaced if broken.
3. Perimeter and/or interior fencing and gates (chain link, wood, other materials) should be inspected and repaired if required.
4. Discuss and coordinate additional items that might need attention with the landscapers for spring cleanup (i.e. damaged sod due to snow removal). In addition, power sweeping of the roadways and visitor parking to remove winter dirt/debris needs to be scheduled along with the removal of salt bins and snow markers.
5. Have the HVAC system inspected and serviced for the spring/summer. Switch the system to summer from winter.
6. Building generators should be inspected and serviced; they need to be ready for any power outage.
7. Inspect eaves and downspouts. If necessary, arrange to have the eaves and downspouts cleaned and rinsed/flushed out to remove any blockages to avoid overflow, which could cause damage to the roof, siding and foundation.
8. Hire a roofer to do an inspection of the roof(s) - shingles and roof vents for winter damage.
9. Clear all flat roof top drains of debris.
10. Clean and flush all drains and catch basins of debris.
11. Arrange to have lawn/flower garden sprinkler systems turned on and serviced for the season. Do prior to the community gardening and planting day.
12. Turn on the water to outside common element water taps. If required, repair or replace water taps.
13. Send a reminder to owners who are responsible for an outside common element water tap to turn it on before community gardening and planting day.
14. Tagged hoses/hose holders attached to assigned locations (common elements) should be attached prior to community gardening and planting day. If required, repair or replace hoses/hose holders.
15. Order topsoil and mulch if required for community garden and planting day.
16. Order plants, flowers for community garden and planting day.
17. Have outdoor pools, hot tubs and water features inspected, serviced and repaired if required. Activate the emergency phone at the pool.
18. Check walkways (i.e., concrete, patio stones/pavers) for heaving, cracks that could be a trip and fall hazard. Arrange for required repairs (i.e., grinding, patching, slab jacking). To increase the “life” of walkways, wash them to remove dirt and salt.
19. Check steps (front/back) and railings. Repair as required.
20. Check roadways and repair/patch any holes in the asphalt to avoid further deterioration, tripping hazards and vehicle damage.
21. Ensure proper drainage around drains. Pooling of water around drains can weaken the area.
22. All parking lines, parking numbers, directional arrows, “V” for visitor and handicap zones should be well marked – visible. Repaint if required.
23. If your corporation has seasonal speedbumps, have them installed.
24. Parking garages need to be swept and power washed.
25. Ramp heaters need to be checked and turned off for spring/summer.
26. Sprinkler systems for parking garages need to be checked and in working condition.
27. Exhaust fan systems for parking garages need to be inspected and serviced.
28. Heat tracking cables should be checked and turned off for the spring/summer.
29. Power wash and sanitize recycling (blue and green) and garbage (black) bins. Inspect and replace any damaged bins. If garbage and recycling bins are stored outside, schedule regular cleaning/sanitizing of the bins throughout the spring, summer and fall months to help minimize odor, maggots, rodents, etc.
30. Arrange with an arborist to visually inspect trees and assess the care required. Trim trees and shrubs regularly to remove dead branches, overgrowth and maintain the size and shape. (Some of this may be included in landscaping contract.) Being proactive (routinely trimming) can help prevent damage due to a spring/summer storms.
31. Outdoor lighting on timers or solar components need to be checked to make sure that they are coming on at the appropriate times. Timers will need to be adjusted during the spring/summer months. The solar component may need to be adjusted. Looking for burned out bulbs and exposed wiring should be included in the inspection. Corporations may want to upgrade to LED.
32. Signage should be visible (clean, not obstructed, properly lit for night), free of damage, current information, conform to city bylaws and condo rules.
33. Arrange window cleaning if this service is provided.
34. Inspect for pests. Remind residents to inform management if there is a pest issue.
35. Inspect and repair if required park benches, playground equipment, tennis courts, pickleball courts, etc.
36. Etc.

Owners:

1. Clean patio/deck or balcony and set up for nice weather.
2. If you live in a townhouse turn the water on to outside water tap(s).
3. If you own a town house and have an approved firepit or patio gas heater, check that item is in good working condition.
4. Air conditioning systems need to checked and serviced for warm weather. Be sure to change or clean the filters for better efficiency.
5. If caulking and or weather stripping was applied to unit windows/exterior doors for the winter, remove. If you notice any other issue re unit windows/exterior doors, let management know so the issue can be addressed.
6. If you are travelling, for safety, security and insurance requirements, notify the manager/superintendent in writing when a unit will be unoccupied for a designated number of days or longer (to be determined by Management/Board). Notification should include the contact information (name[s], telephone number[s], email address) of any person(s) responsible for the unit during the owner’s absence, together with vehicle details if the owner’s parking space is to be used during their absence.
7. Check with your household insurance company re their policy regarding the frequency your unit needs to be checked in your absence. Generally, when a unit is unoccupied for 2 days (48 hours) or longer, the requirement is to have the unit checked every 2 days (48 hours) in order for the insurance coverage to be valid.
8. As well, check with your household insurance company re their policy on shutting off the main water tap when away and if there is a designated timeline. It is generally recommended that unit owners turn off the water in the unit when away in order to ensure the insurance coverage is valid.

In conclusion, there are so many benefits of maintaining the corporation’s property. Be proactive! In addition to curb appeal and ensuring the longevity of the structure and providing safety and security, the corporation is able to save costs; thus, reducing higher costs later. Also, by planning and being prepared for repairs/maintenance, Boards can plan for environmental upgrades. These steps not only maintain, but can increase property values.

Owners can be very proud of their well-maintained condominium and be happy to showcase their community.

Carole Booth, B.Sc. in Education; MA, is a retired teacher. As a past member of the GHC-CCI Board of Directors (3 terms), she continues to participate on the communication and education committees. Carole lives in a 69-unit condominium where she served as president for 12 years.

Maria Desforges GL, RCM, ACCI, is a property manager at Property Management Guild. She has been in property management since 1993, a condominium owner for 32 years and has served on her Board. Maria obtained her RCM in 2006 and her ACCI in 2008. She sat on the Golden Horseshoe Chapter of CCI Board of Directors for 18 years and was a member of the Education committee for years. Maria is a strong proponent of Director’s education and for empowering the Board with knowledge to assist them to govern; thus, allowing her Boards to successfully make decisions and solve problems. Her team approach and dedication to her condominium communities has promoted high client retention.