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Condo News
24 August 2017

Locker thefts—downtown condos

There are thieves targeting condo lockers in Toronto's cores. It would be wise to inform security to watch out for this and to let your residents know that their lockers are targets for thieves and so they should check on them regularly.

Woman leaves car blocking neighborhood gate, returns to find it on roof

If a condo manager in Canada has a problem with someone illegally parking, he may give the owner a letter or a parking ticket. If a condo manager in China has a problem with someone illegally parking, he may teach the car owner a lesson.

See how we can learn from each other in this world? However, your condo lawyer (party-poopers, all of them) may not think this is such a good idea.
http://bit.ly/2g6n0PN


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Condo News
22 August 2017

Police: Florida drunk driver hits 17 cars while trying to park
The Florida Highway Patrol said it was called to The Gate Apartments in Davenport on a report of an impaired driver. When they arrived they found a condominium parking lot that could've been mistaken for a junk yard.
http://cbsn.ws/2v8pz6x

Uproar at Queens condo: Residents say their property manager is a bully
A condo with images of Hitler and Mussolini in the lobby, and you are fined $100 for having a visitor overnight.
http://bit.ly/2x5zE5o

CondoMadness on vacation

Just had to share this on a slow news month.

I will be on vacation for three weeks with limited Internet service. Will resume regular Newsletters in mid-September.

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Condo News
21 August 2017

Luxury Lakeview townhome development cancelled, buyers frustrated
Dunsire Developments has informed purchasers that The Anchors community in Mississauga will not be completed
http://bit.ly/2vest8V

Escaping condo jail
The President of a small Florida condo has taken complete control of the corporation. The other directors don't know what to do.
http://bit.ly/2vUP10l

As Hurricane Andrew memories fade, Florida weakens building codes
The building codes once hailed as the gold standard other states should emulate are under assault.

At the core of that growing dispute is a simple calculation: the tougher the building code, the more it costs to build a home.

Florida's codes dictate construction methods, require wind testing and mandate extensive training and oversight for inspectors. Those standards, home builders argue, can add unnecessary costs
https://usat.ly/2fvNgmn

The Habs are opening Canada’s largest restaurant this fall
Not content with just being a sports team and real estate company, Montreal’s NHL team, the Canadiens (the Habs, to locals), is opening two restaurants this fall — one of which is set to be the largest in Canada, with a capacity of over 1,000
http://bit.ly/2xfV9zZ

Why wooden 'Plyscrapers' are on the rise
How tall will all-wood condos get? Twelve floors or more?Escaping Condo Jail
WRITTEN BY    BENNY L. KASS POSTED ON TUESDAY, 15 AUGUST 2017 20:51

http://bit.ly/2veIfR9

Condominium sues city over Cocoa Beach Pier amusement rides
A condominium association has filed a lawsuit against the City of Cocoa Beach for granting a variance to allow amusement park rides installed at the Cocoa Beach Pier. The condo doesn't want the noise.
http://bit.ly/2fWm6Fo

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Condo News
17 August 2017

Rhonda McCarthy, Ontario condo property manager goes to jail
Records from 2009 showed McCarthy used accounting software to forge cheques totaling $909,000. After printing the cheques, she forged the signature of the company president.

Judge Dawson said the money was used to finance a lavish lifestyle for McCarthy, spending the money on “travel and cars.”

“This was pure greed,” she said. “All of these lasting impacts on all of these people, all so Ms. McCarthy could go to spas, travel and live the good life.”
http://bit.ly/1QCy4cp
http://bit.ly/2uHDynC

Toronto—Short-term rentals
The City of Toronto is holding four open houses on the proposed new rules for short-term rentals in Toronto. Details about the open houses are also posted on our website.

The input the City receives at these open houses will be used to finalize the short-term rental rules that will be presented to Executive Committee in the fourth quarter of 2017.
 
We welcome you to drop in any time between 3:00 and 8:00 p.m. We will be making a short presentation on the new rules at both 4:00 and 7:00 p.m.
 
Date & Location
Wednesday, September 6
City Hall, Committee Room 2
100 Queen Street West

Monday, September 11
North York Civic Centre, Council Chambers
5100 Yonge Street

Wednesday, September 13
Etobicoke Civic Centre, Main Boardroom
399 the West Mall

Tuesday, September 19
Scarborough Civic Centre, Committee Room 1
150 Borough Drive, Scarborough
 
If you would like more information about the proposed new rules for short-term rentals, please see the email below or review the Executive Committee decision here.

Amy Buitenhuis
Senior Policy and Research Officer
Policy and Strategic Support
Municipal Licensing & Standards
City of Toronto

Home sellers struggling with closing complications after big chill hits market
Formerly frenzied buyers in the GTA are reconsidering purchases made in the heat of the market.
http://bit.ly/2w19zaC

Time for a review of the Strata Property Act
Columnist claims that the BC Civil Resolution Tribunal cannot keep up with condo dispute work loads. The Act needs to be-visited.
http://bit.ly/2hJpLXH

Massive heroin raid in Michigan, possible connection to Mexican cartel
In all, agents seized 88 pounds of heroin and over $500,000 in cash, totaling the value at over $4.5 million. “The strategic location and nature of the rental of the condominium is indicative of a sophisticated drug trafficking organization,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Hutting said.
http://bit.ly/2uCLti0

Bristol man accused of stealing guns likely headed to trial
A city man accused of stealing more than $4,000 worth of guns and jewelry from a local condo is likely headed to trial.

Lesson here? When breaking up with someone, change your condo, mailbox and car locks.
http://bit.ly/2weCqHo

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Condo News
06 August 2017

Ontario: Toronto Star legal Q&A column
Gerry Hyman, condo law columnist, answers questions.
http://bit.ly/2vAMISd

Police considering role of drugs in death of man at downtown Toronto condo building
Not too much a condo board can do as long as the on-site security are First Aid/CPR qualified, the security cameras work and management is not aware of any drug dealing in the building they have been ignoring.
http://bit.ly/2uv4KAV

Fire at Halifax condo building caused by careless disposal of smoking materials

So we have discarded cigarette butts dropped into a planter starting a fire and a propane tank exploding. Result? Twenty people now temporarily homeless.
http://bit.ly/2uVAnp4

Dear Abby: condo neighbor wears out her welcome
Neighbor needs more help than this couple is willing to provide.
http://bit.ly/2whLYiJ

Don't forget to take your gun with you
A few people who rent condo units in Florida, forget to take their gun with them when they leave. Cleaning staff find them.
http://bit.ly/2hydRjj

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Condo News
03 August 2017

Buyer who walked away from real estate deal ordered to pay $360K
BC: Would-be buyer ordered to pay the difference after house ultimately sells for 28% less
http://bit.ly/2u59MoB

Countdown to roll out of condo law reforms starts
Industry prepares for new fees, rules as Ontario provides update.
http://bit.ly/2hgWPWz

A nation of realtors in Canada is bracing for the end of the boom
The looming slowdown threatens to trigger an exodus that could wipe out thousands of jobs and force the economy to shift down.

Toronto has 48,000 realtors. By comparison, with similar population, Chicago has 13,500.
http://bit.ly/2vryPWY

Toronto ranked number 1 city in Canada for bed bugs
Here’s the top 10:
• Toronto
• Winnipeg
• Vancouver
• Ottawa
• St. John’s
• Edmonton
• Halifax
• Sudbury
• Scarborough
• Calgary
http://bit.ly/2u2WGfr

Edmonton woman receives $11K power bill for condo as if ‘paying for the whole building’
Takes to Twitter to get her bill reviewed.
http://bit.ly/2vlz0Cy

Balcony fire doused
Operating a BBQ on a condo balcony, especially if it is a wood one, is not advised but this owner did a great job of controlling a BBQ grease fire. No property damage and no one hurt.
http://bit.ly/2u3U4ho

Millennials are buying homes because of their dogs, not marriage or kids
Well, they could stay in their condos if they owned a cat.
http://bit.ly/2viFN0d

Florida
A handle too high: 82-year-old wants a solution to her condo-door problem
Deutsch and her husband, Gene, have spent winters at The Promenade for nearly 10 years. The 112-unit condominium has been undergoing a $2.6 million remodeling project since July. Part of the project included new front doors for the units.

The couple paid their share for the remodeling assessment, which equated to more than $20,000. It was when the doors arrived in February that 82-year-old Deutsch realized she had a problem.
http://bit.ly/2pnqJZt

Big city completes uglification project
That is what happens when city planners run amuck.
http://bit.ly/2mqPTDr


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