Winter in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia tends to be mild compared to the rest of Canada. Due to the region's coastal climate between the Pacific Ocean and the mountainous terrain, each winter season brings some variation between precipitation levels and temperature. Winter can be tough on both the inner and outer structure of a building. It is important to adequately prepare for the colder months to ensure the integrity of the property and the well-being of all residents.
A strata corporation is well prepared when they have budgeted for snow removal and maintenance during these months. The benefits of using a strata management company during a British Columbia winter may become clear because owners looking for a property management company have to make several considerations beyond snow removal.
Before the temperature falls below freezing, ensure to do a thorough inspection of the whole property. This includes individual strata lots, limited common property, and common property. For councils, it is important to identify areas of maintenance and repair that are strata responsibility.
Make sure to inspect any faulty roof tiles, soffits, and any part of the building envelope. Freezing water may expand cracks in the building envelope creating more troublesome and costly repairs. When planning for snow removal, have the contract in place early with a reputable service provider. Ensure that the council communicates to residents on the areas that will need to be shovelled and enlists volunteers to stick to a schedule. It is important for both residents and the council to purchase salt early before the stores dwindle in supply.
There may be parts of the strata common area that need special attention. Ensure to repair any stairs, handrails, or any part where people will be walking to reduce the risk of falling. Have an insurance policy in place that provides coverage of liability claims due to slipping accidents. Homeowners need to have their own insurance policy as well because if pipes freeze and burst, the owner's insurance policy has to cover the strata deductible. If this coverage is not in place, the owner may be out-of-pocket for this expense.
Falling snow will also settle on trees and plants, freezing and weighing them down. It is important to trim trees and branches that could break under this added weight. Falling branches or ice poses a risk to people, vehicles, and building structures.
Having an experienced strata property manager is extremely beneficial when anticipating problems during these winter months. Your strata manager should be able to be proactive in leading the council through preparation.
When looking for and eventually hiring a property management company, it is important to note whether they have a network of trusted property service providers. A good property manager will leverage positive relationships with service providers to ensure their strata clients get preferential treatment.
A proactive, well-connected, and experienced strata manager will advise to start collecting quotes many months before the winter. The proactive approach ensures that a strata property is at the top of the queue in the service provider's client roster, leading to quick service after the snowfall.
Coordinating winter preparation also involves budget management, record-keeping, and resident relations. One of the key benefits of hiring a management company is that these tasks do not fall solely on volunteers.
A self-managed strata council consists of volunteers who oversee day-to-day operations. It is highly likely that volunteers have other responsibilities and will struggle to keep up with strata management responsibilities full-time. Self-management may be a short-term solution but, during the winter when there are so many moving parts, things may fall through the cracks.
When it comes to budgeting properly for snow removal, costs can vary from year to year. One year may bring record amounts of snow, and another not as much. The variation can introduce challenges when a strata council has their annual budget meeting.
One of the benefits of using a property management company is that they will understand these climate variations. A strata management company will compare budgets from previous years and advise the council on how much to budget and where. Due to climate variations in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, it is important to look several years back.
The role of a strata manager goes far beyond preparing property management documents. One of the main benefits of hiring a property manager is that they will answer correspondence as part of their role. They can direct inquiries to the service provider and relay answers to owners.
Owners are aware that they collectively pay for services in their strata-managed property. Snow removal tends to be an urgent topic among residents, so timely responses from service providers and the strata manager become especially crucial during this time. Despite all of the preparation that getting ready for winter requires, emergencies can occur. When researching whether to hire a strata management company, consider whether the company has a 24/7 emergency response partner. An emergency response partner will have a network of disaster response service providers should the residents need help after hours. In conclusion, winter requires a lot of considerations for strata property owners.
Some self-managed councils may be able to stay on top of the big list of tasks when going through a British Columbia winter while other councils will enjoy the convenience of a manager taking on these responsibilities. The convenience will make the monthly property management fees well worth it.
Regardless, do properly prepare for any extra repairs and maintenance associated with the season. It is important to protect one's real estate investment with a proactive approach. A property management service may be the key to doing so and keeping the cash flowing in the right direction. A good property management company will maintain the budget and ensure everyone's safety.
If you are an owner in a strata and are looking for a local management company, it can be overwhelming to search and see a long list of property management companies. At Paradigm, we take the time to listen to your unique needs and get to know the residents. We will create a custom approach for your strata and meet your property management needs. Paradigm Property Management is a new property management company, but we come with 30+ years of expertise in the field. Our knowledge goes far beyond the basic ABCs of property management. We bring a fresh approach to each of our clients. Just look at our Google Reviews to see the testimonials from our happy clients.
