How can condo community living be improved?

Answer 1

A condominium community is a private democracy. Its operations are directed by a set of governing documents, including the CC&Rs, By-laws and Board Resolutions. Owners vote to elect a board of directors who operate the community using assessment revenue to maintain, protect and preserve all the real estate owned in common by the members of the community.

That said, community living then becomes a matter of communication. Here are some of the reasons why communication causes disagreements among residents:

• Too few owners, board members, tenants and association managers read and understand the guidelines contained in the governing documents.
• People believe that any behaviour is acceptable, in the same way that any behaviour is acceptable in a privately owned home.

Suggestions to improve community living include:

• Board agreement to operate the community according to the governing documents and pursue enforcing the guidelines.
• Owners banding together to change the governing documents where necessary.
• Regular open board meetings where the board conducts its operational business for the community inclusive of residents. (Only owners can vote, however, when there is an item requiring a vote of owners.)
• Accurate board meeting minutes that include all the items voted on by the board that are published quickly after meetings and made available to all owners.
• Inclusion of non-board members in board committees, such as those for --
  • welcoming new residents;
  • developing annual budgets (finance);
  • planning safety and security standards;
  • maintaining the building(s) and common element assets;
  • maintaining the landscape and other amenities.
• Regular newsletters that include community announcements, updates and general community news (not necessarily operational business).
• A general community picnic or other gathering once or twice a year.
• Identify a need in the local community and volunteer as an association to work in the larger geography, to contribute to the neighborhood.

It may take some time to work with the membership -- all residents -- to foster a strong sense of community to where there is an overall sense of improvement, but the investment of all can pay off over time.