The condominium’s board of directors is responsible for making decisions about the condominium corporation on behalf of the owners, including whether to hire a condominium manager or management provider business to help oversee the corporation’s affairs.

Although condominium managers interact with many individuals in carrying out their duties – from owners, to board members, to staff and contractors – they report to and take direction from their client, the condominium corporation, through its board of directors.

The Government of Ontario introduced the Condominium Management Services Act, 2015 (CMSA), legislation that further safeguards condominium communities and protects condominium consumers.

As set out in the CMSA, individuals and businesses providing condominium management services must complete the necessary education requirements and have a licence from the CMRAO. Individuals can search the CMRAO's Public Registry for information about the licence status of managers and providers businesses. The CMSA also sets out rules that condominium managers and condominium management provider businesses must follow.

The Code of Ethics regulation establishes the general obligations of condominium managers and condominium management provider businesses. Promoting professionalism, reliability and quality of service, the Code requires that condominium managers and provider businesses always protect the interests of the condominium corporation. If you feel a condominium manager or management provider business has violated the CMSA, including the Code of Ethics regulation, you may wish to file a formal complaint.

Additionally, the CMRAO has produced a competency profile, which defines the condominium management profession in Ontario and details the minimum expectations of an individual who holds a General Licence with the CMRAO.

A condominium manager’s responsibilities typically include:

• Collecting common expenses
• Maintaining records for the condominium corporation
• Managing the maintenance and repair of the condominium
• Hiring service providers and overseeing their work
• Preparing draft annual budgets and monitoring the reserve fund
• Organizing board meetings and owners’ meetings
• Responding to owner inquiries and complaints

As an owner in Ontario’s growing condominium sector, get to know the CMRAO and learn more about the role of condominium managers.