Across Ontario, condominiums are growing in number, and they are now home to more than 1.5 million people. 

Condo living means having a shared interest in the well-being of your community. For a prospective buyer, a licensed, responsible, and accountable professional whose focus is on protecting their assets and home should be an invaluable resource and support for condo living. 

For Realtors, having behind-the-scenes information can help instill trust in the process of owning a condominium and living in one. Insights into condominium management can be key to helping Realtors guide their clients toward informed and confident decisions.

 

The facts on condominium managers

 

Condominiums are like an ecosystem where elements of the community interact with each other and their physical environment. 

An essential role within this unique system is the condominium manager, a licensed professional who oversees the day-to-day operations of a condominium. Providing condominium management services is permitted only if the individual or business has a licence issued by the Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario (CMRAO).

The CMRAO is the regulatory body responsible for licensing and regulating these condominium managers and provider businesses under the Condominium Management Services Act, 2015 (or CMSA) and its regulations, including the Code of Ethics. Our mandate strengthens consumer protection by:

 

• Setting industry standards for education, experience, and ethical practices in the profession
• Making licensing and enforcement information publicly available, especially if it is in the consumers’ best interest
• Handling complaints and inquiries

 

Although our work is typically geared toward condominium managers, our impact reaches far beyond that, touching the lives of condo owners and residents, and prospective buyers.

 

Defining the role of a condominium manager

 

Buying a home is a big decision for any individual or family. For prospective buyers, a well-managed condominium community is an attractive option because of the professionalism and core competencies of the condominium manager. The manager’s essential role is dynamic and challenging, and also necessary, as outlined in legislation. Unlike building superintendents, condominium managers have legal and ethical responsibilities governed by two pieces of legislation: the Condominium Management Services Act, 2015 and the Condominium Act, 1998.

Currently, there are 4,730 active condominium managers and 391 condominium management companies licensed by the CMRAO to provide services in Ontario. 

From advising the condominium’s board of directors on their legal obligations to collecting common expenses and ensuring maintenance and repair of the property, condominium managers are trained to handle these responsibilities, and more, on behalf of the condominium corporation.

Their work directly affects the quality of life of the condominium community, and by extension, the confidence and trust of those living and investing in condos. A well-managed building can mean fewer surprises during transactions, informed decision-making, smoother transitions for new owners, and greater long-term stability.

It’s important to note that while condominium managers oversee the day-to-day operations of the condominium, there are limitations to their responsibilities. They are not decision makers; rather, they work for the condominium corporation and carry out decisions made by the board. 

 

Laying the professional groundwork

 

The process to become a condominium manager is clear-cut and thorough. As a regulator with responsibility for setting standards for our licensees, the CMRAO ensures that those entering the field are prepared to handle their duties.

There are three licence types issued by the CMRAO, each with its own qualifying education and experience requirements. Each one must be renewed annually. This renewal process is a key tool for maintaining oversight and keeping accurate and current information about each licence holder – an important aspect of protecting the public interest.

As part of the licence renewal process, individuals are required to answer a series of questions related to character and fiscal responsibility. Provider businesses must also answer the same questions for directors and officers of the corporation and also provide proof of Errors and Omissions and Fidelity insurance to renew the company’s licence. 

To obtain an entry-level licence, individuals must first successfully complete the mandatory Excellence in Condominium Management course. Limited Licence holders can graduate to a General Licence upon successful completion of all five courses in the Condominium Management Certificate program at Humber Polytechnic (offered in partnership with the CMRAO) and after accumulating at least two years of supervised work experience.

 

Continuous learning in an evolving sector

 

As we have seen over the years, developments in the real estate marketplace have changed and shaped the condominium sector. That is why the CMRAO decided to implement the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program for General Licence holders to complete and report as part of their annual licence renewal.

Licensees are required to engage in learning activities that help them stay up to date with legislation, best practices, technology, and to maintain and improve their skills and professional competencies each year. 

 

Supporting managers and informing stakeholders

 

To help managers meet their legal, operational, and ethical responsibilities, the CMRAO provides a range of resources, including comprehensive and timely practice guides that have been developed in collaboration with subject matter experts within the industry. These materials clarify expectations, promote best practices, and support continuous learning.

Following the successful release of our first practice guide for condominium managers, Financial Management, we recently released Procurement and Contractor Oversight: A Practice Guide for Condominium Managers. This practice guide offers practical insights into budgets and contracts, transparency and clear communication, and professional and reliable service delivery.

Although these materials and many other resources offered on the CMRAO website are helpful to condominium managers, they can also be useful to stakeholders. Understanding the role and responsibilities of a condominium manager helps adjust expectations for management services and highlights the value that the profession brings to a condo community.

Ultimately, condominium communities, like any ecosystem, thrive when managed well. Through licensing, education, and resources like our practice guides, the CMRAO is helping to build a more transparent, accountable, and professional condominium management sector. We invite real estate professionals to explore our work, share our resources, and join us in promoting thriving condominium communities across Ontario.