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The Top 7 Misconceptions About The Condominium Manager

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Managing a condominium corporation is a significant commitment that takes ample time, knowledge, and energy. A well-run community doesn’t come easy, and the responsibility can be a lot for a condominium corporation board of directors to handle. While many boards hire professional condominium managers to help shoulder some of the daily operational duties, there are several misconceptions about what a condominium manager is, what their role entails, their power within the community, and much more.

Read on to learn more about the condominium corporation manager, condominium manager job description and the top 7 misconceptions about condominium managers.

What is a Condominium Manager?

The condominium manager is the face, and an employee, of the condominium corporation management company. They work closely with a community’s board of directors to perform many vital functions and resolve any complaints or issues that arise. Condominium managers serve as consultants, make recommendations, and execute the board’s decisions.

What’s the Condominium Manager Job Description?

Condominium manager job responsibilities vary by community, governing documents, and the condominium corporation management contract terms. Similarly, the condominium manager salary is also usually determined by the manager’s years of experience, employer, and contract terms. While the specific duties of one manager may be different from another, generally, it’s the job of a condominium manager to handle the overall operations and administration of the condominium in accordance with board policies, governing documents, and applicable local, provincial, and federal laws and regulations.

Top 7 Misconceptions About Condominium Managers

A condominium manager does a lot to support the board of directors. They help with the heavy lifting, providing guidance, advice, and oversight in all aspects of the corporation, including maintenance, financial, and administrative. To ensure an effective relationship with your condominium manager, it’s important to recognize the misconceptions of what a condominium manager is and does. Here are seven.

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  1. The manager makes decisions for the community.

The most common misconception is that the manager makes the decisions and controls the board. The exact opposite is true. Communities and corporations are non-profit businesses that are run by a board of directors who makes the decisions. The manager simply executes the decisions of the board and is the liaison between the board, vendors, and residents.

  1. The manager is an expert in every field.

A good manager is an expert at a lot of functions, but not everything. Luckily, they know people who are professionals and highly skilled at doing things like overseeing legal matters, repairing siding, and mowing lawns. Many managers have a network of dependable contractors and vendors that can help the board carry out its directive. From lawyers and accountants to insurance agents and landscapers, you can rely on a manager to make connections, solicit bids, oversee the relationship, and manage contracts.

  1. The manager is obligated to perform duties for individual homeowners.

Many owners think that since their common element fees pay for the management company and any direct employees, the manager works directly for them. However, a condominium manager is responsible for community-related matters and functions defined in a contract—not personal tasks or individually owned units.

  1. The manager always has eyes on the community.

Even though your corporation may employ a full-time onsite manager solely devoted to your condominium corporation, it doesn’t necessarily mean they constantly have eyes and ears on the whole community. While the manager may work to proactively address concerns, it’s important for residents to speak up and report issues or needs when they see something. When everyone works together, everybody wins.

  1. The manager makes a commission from collecting fees.

Condominium managers are usually tasked with supporting the financial aspects of the corporation. That may include preparing the annual budget, analyzing the operating budget, understanding the reserve fund, and collecting assessments. However, just because collections efforts are the responsibility of the condominium manager, they never benefit from the monies collected. Fees and assessments contribute solely to the community’s daily operational expenses and reserve funds.

  1. The manager is on call 24/7.

It’s true that many managers oversee various aspects of the community, but they’re not always available 24/7 to address non-emergency concerns. Typically, managers have regular working hours that are outlined in the management contract. Outside of working hours, they can usually be contacted—or provide an after-hours contact—for urgent and emergency situations.   

  1. The manager can create or change the rules.

A condominium manager cannot create or change the rules, but they can (and do) help enforce the condominium corporation’s rules and regulations. A community’s board of directors is the governing body with the power and authority to amend or adopt rules. Still, you may find that a manager ensures that rules and policies are consistently enforced and clearly defined. They may even recommend solutions to resolve owner complaints and compliance issues.

The Secret Life of Condominium Managers

It’s easy to build misconceptions about condominium managers, but the relationship you have with your condominium manager needs to be strong and trusted. Creating and maintaining a solid relationship with your manager can make or break the success of your community.