Sapphire Condominium Management

As an owner of a condo, sometimes it really does not make any sense. Why is it that some condo repairs get delayed?

The goal is to not delay them, but unfortunately, the reality is that delays are usually caused by the same reason personal house upgrades get delayed:
1. Timing: When the funds come into the condo's possession throughout the year
2. Approvals: All work goes through a rigorous process to be approved, which takes time
3. Scheduling: Sometimes everything else is good, but the contractor has a busy schedule

Have you ever noticed projects getting pushed back? Does this help provide some clarity?

Are you a condo owner? I hope you agree that good condo management should not feel stressful.

When all systems are working properly:
- Issues are spotted early
- Decisions feel predictable
- Communication is clear

If everything's feeling urgent, all the time, it's often a process issue...not just a people issue.

As an owner, can you tell if your building is feeling reactive or proactive?

As an owner of a condominium, do you know the difference between the operating fund and the reserve fund?

Think of it this way:

Operating Fund (Chequing Account)
- Day-to-day costs
- Utilities, cleaning, repairs, landscaping, etc

Reserve Fund (Savings Account)
- Long-term repairs
- Roofs, windows, paving, elevators, etc

Both are very necessary and protect your investment as a condo owner.

Which one do you find the most confusing or unnecessary?

Why do your condo fees increase every...single...year...?

It's a pretty common frustration. Here's what's usually happening behind the scenes:
1. Utility costs are always rising each year, even with consistent usage
2. Service contracts include an annual increase (like landscaping)
3. Reserve funds have to keep pace with inflation and future repairs (the big one)

The nice thing is if your condominium board (alongside any management company) has planned small increases, then you can avoid big surprise costs later.

Have you ever gotten a clear explanation for the increase?

You just have to let them know, and make sure it's said clearly. Clear, data-backed communication builds trust much faster than poorly communicated, inconsistent increases ever will.

Share this with your board team so you're on the same page.

Condo fee increases often look hard, until you see why they may be necessary. Share this with your board to make sure they're going into their next budget meeting with the right frame of mind...

Answering the phone isn’t a perk, it's just good service.

Boards and owners deserve clear, fast responses, not silence. That’s why we built our processes around responsiveness.

Condo Management that actually answers the phone. Agree?

Most condo boards make this mistake, trying to keep everyone happy.

It feels responsible, but it usually creates bigger problems later.

Most condo boards fail for reasons that have nothing to do with the building.

They fail because decisions are made emotionally, under pressure, and without a clear structure.

Good governance is not flashy; it's simple, predictable, and boring in the best way.

For example, one condo we work with increases its condo fees 3% a year and has forever. It's very simple, it's extremely boring, but they are easily the best monetarily taken care of condominium's in the portfolio, and the unit owners have a consistent expected increase year after year.

We have provided over 10 years of continuous support and consultation with boards to make the right decisions for their condominium.

Follow for more practical guidance.

The biggest reserve fund problems usually don’t start with construction, they start years earlier.

When boards collect less than their Reserve Fund Study recommends, the gap doesn’t disappear.
It grows quietly.

Eventually, it shows up as:
• special assessments
• rushed decisions
• owner frustration

The condos that stay stable over time are usually the ones that were funded properly early, even when it wasn’t popular.

This is one of those “wish we’d known sooner” topics.

If you’re on a condo board and fees are going up this year, this one small thing can reduce owner pushback.

Most frustration doesn’t come from the increase itself — it comes from missing context.

When boards include three things in a fee notice, conversations tend to be calmer:

1. What changed
2. Why it changed
3. What was done to control it

For example...

1. What Changed: Landscaping & Snow Removal Increase of 3% for 2026

2. Why It Changed: There are prescribed increases that are signed into for that contract for that specific year.

3. What Was Done to Control It: We sent our request for quotes from multiple vendors to create competition, we reviewed the contract to reduce the service on items that weren't necessary, and we looked for any opportunity to bundle services wherever possible.

Even a short explanation is better than none.