It is essential, therefore, that the condo board hire a condo management company that has the wherewithal to implement their initiatives.

Dogs barking, owners partying, no heat inside the unit, missing mats, cost saving initiatives, keys down the elevator shaft, nightly board meetings, negotiating contracts — these are just a few of the challenges that a condo manager must respond to and be willing to find a comparable solution for. 

A professional condo management company is able to handle these critical tasks with their skilled staff, allowing the condo board of directors to concentrate their efforts on decisions that are in the best interest of the whole condo complex.

Choosing a good condominium management company can add significant value to your investment and can be the most important task for a condo board to undertake. 

Every condo management company (unless circumstances dictate otherwise) charges a set fee for the monthly management of the condominium along with a list of fees for services deemed to be “extra costs or above the contract.”  

As a board, it’s important to choose a company not solely based on who charges the lowest fees, but rather based on the quality and scope of services that is offered by the management company and its staff. 

Each condo corporation is unique and has varying needs. Price should then be the last determining factor when used to pick a management company. 

When interviewing a condo management company, look at a few key aspects to help you make an informed decision.

Does the company provided services tailored to your condo and how? Avoid any management contract that transfers the decision-making authority from the board to the management company. 

How does your condo management company communicate with the board and the owners, do they have well defined process and procedures that will help make communication easier. 

The one thing I hear from new clients “my manager rarely communicates with us or we can never get a hold of them when we need to.” With today’s advancement in technology there is no excuse not to be able to get a hold of your manager or his representatives. 

Does the company have reliable contractors that can tend to call outs in a timely and proficient manner?

Are management services clearly outlined in the management agreement? Is there room for flexibility? Is there a termination clause and what does it contain? No one wants to be put into a position that is difficult to get out of.

Don’t let a lower price be your deciding factor in making the right decision for your corporation. Remember, as a condominium owner you deserve assurance that your property is maintained at the highest possible level. Your lifestyle demands it. Until next time …

Maria Bartolotti is the owner-manager of New Concept Management Inc. She has developed a strong reputation for rendering timely and efficient services to the condominium industry. Maria believes that her company’s success hinges on her hands-on approach to condominium management as well as maintaining open lines of communications with her clientele. Maria is actively involved in her industry. For more information, visit www.newconceptmanagement.com