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Becoming a Condo Manager
Are you embarking on your first career? Are you looking for a career change? Whatever your situation, explore the dynamic, rewarding field of condominium management.
Why Pursue a Career in Condominium Management?
Also known as property management, condominium management is fast paced, often challenging, personally gratifying, and an excellent opportunity to grow and thrive. You will bring (and further develop) a variety of skills to a role that is centred on stewardship, where you can make a difference in people’s lives as you:
- Support operations
- Ensure condominium corporations adhere to legislation
- Create livable and vibrant communities
Benefits of a Career in Condominium Management
With so many career choices in the modern job market, why consider a career in condominium management?
Find Many Opportunities for Career Growth and Advancement
Growth in Ontario’s condominium sector has outpaced the number of people embarking upon a career in condominium management.
Just how big is the condominium sector?
Currently:
The numbers tell the story: Opportunities are numerous, not just for new managers but also for career progress in the industry.
If job stability matters to you in your choice of career, consider this: Condominium managers were deemed essential service providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic simply underscored what so many in the industry already knew—condominiums must be properly run at all times, and only licensed managers can provide the stewardship condos need.
Acquire Highly Portable and Transferable Skills
You can use your management skills just about anywhere in the province of Ontario. If you are bringing relevant experience from another jurisdiction, contact CMRAO’s Licensing and Compliance Team for information about how best to move forward.
Jump-start Your Professional Career
Condominium management calls for people who have, or are willing to acquire, the necessary skills. It is an excellent career choice for new Canadians who are able to complete Ontario’s licensing requirements. For more information, see “How can I grow as a professional in condominium management?”
Build valuable, meaningful relationships
Become a centre for communities that form around condominiums. You will interact with all sorts of people, including:
- Owners
- Board members
- Staff
- Contractors
- Those in surrounding neighbourhoods
Shape the industry
This continually evolving sector has made great strides over time, and that evolution continues today thanks to dedicated professionals driven to make a difference. You will have all sorts of opportunities to pitch in, work with colleagues for improvement in the industry and leave it in better shape for the next generation of managers.
Who Hires Condominium Managers?
Although managers acquire their licences by working in the condominium industry, in addition to other requirements, their career opportunities are not limited to just this industry. A condominium manager’s skills are also valuable to:
- Condominium management companies
- Rental management companies
- Individual condominiums
- Real estate development companies
- Other types of property-centric businesses
If you are an entrepreneur, once you have your General Licence, you can hire yourself. You will find plenty of opportunities in Ontario’s growing condominium industry.
Checklist: Is Condominium Management for me?
You know yourself, but you might not know the condominium industry. So consider the answers to these questions to find out whether a career in condominium management is the right fit for you.
| Do you value and practice stewardship? | Yes | No |
| Can you lead teams, such as boards of directors and staff, in serving a community? | Yes | No |
| Can you manage projects and ongoing responsibilities at the same time? | Yes | No |
| Do you enjoy meeting and working with people? | Yes | No |
| Do you have excellent communication skills? | Yes | No |
| Can you track finances effectively? | Yes | No |
| Are you well organized? | Yes | No |
| Do you enjoy continuing professional development? | Yes | No |
| Are you looking for a career that lets you grow as a professional? | Yes | No |
If you answered Yes to most or all of these questions, find out what it takes to become a licensed condominium manager.
How can I grow as a professional in condominium management?
Condominium management provides many opportunities for launching your career. Few professions demand a set of skills as comprehensive as the ones required for condominium management, which is why managers are amongst the most versatile professionals to be found in the job market. A licensed manager can succeed in many areas, from project management to customer service and leadership. Other opportunities include:
Condominium industry
You can rise through the ranks or start your own company. The industry continues to expand, so it provides greater demand for existing services and demand for new services that emerge as the industry continues to evolve.
Related industries
You will deal with professions that serve condominiums, including:
- Engineering
- Electrical
- Cleaning
- Elevator service
- Renovation
- Plumbing
As a condominium manager, the professional development is like no other industry. You will acquire knowledge and skills that make you an asset in the condominium industry and beyond.
What Does a Condominium Management Provider do?
Professions can be defined by what their practitioners do, and condominium management is no exception.
Here is a high-level list of a manager’s duties. For more information, review this comprehensive list of responsibilities.
| Duty | Detail |
|---|---|
| Collecting or holding contributions to the common expenses or other amounts levied by, or payable to, a condominium corporation. | In Ontario, condominiums are legal entities known as corporations. You can learn more about this when you begin the condominium management curriculum. For details, see Step 2: Complete CMRAO professional education requirements. |
| Exercising delegated powers and duties of the corporation or its board of directors. | Although there are a number of duties, some of the more common ones include: • Supervising employees or contractors hired or engaged by the corporation. These can include cleaners, electricians, elevator technicians and many others. • Negotiating or entering into contracts on behalf of the corporation. • Working with and advising boards of directors to ensure the condominium is managed properly. • Making payments to third parties on behalf of the corporation. These can include cleaning companies, repair services, utilities and so forth. |
| Adhering to the profession’s Code of Ethics. | Corporations trust their condominium managers with many aspects of their homes, so they want to ensure managers are above reproach. The Code of Ethics sets standards for professionalism, reliability and quality of service. Learn more about the Code of Ethics: • Read an overview of the Code of Ethics • Read or download a summary of the Code of Ethics • Read the Code of Ethics regulation |
The Condominium Industry in Ontario
History
Condominiums have been part of Ontario’s housing landscape since the 1960s, and they have grown in popularity ever since. That growth occurs not just in numbers of units or corporations, but also in the workforce, industry practices and the laws that govern it all.
Want to know more about the state of the industry today? Visit the Corporate Reporting section to learn more about the CMRAO’s work and role in Ontario’s rapidly expanding condominium management sector.
Different Types of Condominiums in Ontario
Different types of buildings are classified as condominiums in Ontario, and not all of them contain residences. Any residential, commercial or vacant land property registered as a condominium corporation is subject to the Condominium Act, 1998.
Even if they’re put to different uses, they do have a few things in common:
- They are all corporations
- They all require dedicated management
Managers looking for variety can gain experience with the different types of condominiums. They are explained in greater detail on the Condominium Authority of Ontario’s website.
Freehold condominium corporations
There are three types of freehold condominium corporations.
| 1 | Standard The most common type, standard corporations, include apartment-type suites and townhouses. They include part ownership in common elements, which include amenities such as parking garages, recreation centres and party rooms. |
| 2 | Common Element You can buy part ownership in things such as roads and golf courses that do not include individual exclusive-use units. |
| 3 | Vacant Land This is land on which a condominium is registered before it is built. |
Leasehold condominiums
Leasehold condominiums are much like freehold condominiums except for one key difference: The land they occupy is not owned by the condominium corporation.
Becoming a Licensed Condominium Manager
If you are an individual or business in Ontario paid to provide condominium management services, you must hold a licence issued by the CMRAO. Licensing requirements are similar to those of other recognized professions in Ontario, though a university degree is optional.
Acquiring an Ontario condominium management licence is a 4-step process. (You can do steps 2 and 3 at the same time.)
Step 1: Acquire a Limited Licence
Get started by acquiring this entry-level licence to the profession in Ontario.
You’ll need to complete an introductory course called Excellence in Condominium Management to apply for this licence. For more details, see CMRAO’s Limited Licence page.
Once you acquire your Limited Licence, you can proceed to steps 2 and 3.
Step 2: Complete CMRAO Professional Education Requirements
Gain the base knowledge you need by enrolling in and successfully completing a series of courses designed for condominium managers. You will learn about:
- Relevant legislation
- The building’s infrastructure
- Relevant financial skills
- Operational quality
- Building relationships
The education requirements continue to evolve, so refer to the Education section for current education program details. You can complete these requirements as you gain hands-on experience as a manager (explained in step 3, below).
Step 3: Gain Hands-on Experience
Holders of Limited Licences must work under the supervision of licensed condominium managers for 2,920 hours (about 2 years).
You can work through this step as you progress through the curriculum mentioned in step 2, above. In other words, you can apply what you learn during your courses with the help of a seasoned mentor (General Licensee).
Hundreds of condominium management companies serve the Ontario market, and many are constantly looking for managers. See which companies are providing services in your area.
Step 4: Apply for General Licence
Once you complete the CMRAO education program (Step 2) and acquire experience in the field (Step 3), you will be eligible to submit your application for a General Licence (also known as a full licence) and provide condominium management services without supervision.