Condo Living Made Easy

Chicago winters can be brutal, and a heating emergency in your condo building can escalate quickly. Here’s what boards and owners should keep in mind to stay safe and minimize damage.

1. Respond Quickly: If a resident reports a loss of heat, acknowledge it right away and determine whether it’s an individual unit or a building-wide issue. Contact your HVAC or boiler contractor as soon as possible, ideally one with 24/7 service.
2. Communicate Clearly: Keep residents updated with what’s happening, who is working on the problem, and when they can expect the next update. Clear communication reduces stress and helps residents plan.
3. Prevent Freeze Damage: During an outage, encourage residents to; keep cabinet doors open near plumbing, let faucets drip slightly, and close common-area doors to retain warmth. This can help prevent frozen or burst pipes.
4. Support Residents While Repairs Are Underway: Share tips for safe space heater use, open a warm common area if possible, and check in on vulnerable residents. For longer outages in extreme cold, consider temporary accommodations for those most at risk.
5. Prepare Ahead of Time: Annual system inspections, updated emergency contacts, and reminders about reporting procedures can help prevent emergencies—or make them easier to manage.

Managing heating emergencies (and all building issues) gets easier with the right tools. Condoly.io helps condo boards and associations find, hire, and manage professionals for all your property management and maintenance solutions for your community. It’s a smart way to stay prepared before winter hits.

As the year ends, it’s the perfect time for condo boards to review and update the policies that keep their community running smoothly. A quick annual check ensures your association stays compliant, financially sound, and ready for the new year.

1. Governing Documents: Take a fresh look at your Declaration, Bylaws, and Rules & Regulations. Some ideas of items to ensure are accurate would include; that policies still reflect how your building operates, rules are enforceable and up to date, and that no conflicts exist between documents. If your documents are more than a decade old, consider a legal review.
2. Financial Policies: Strong financial policies help protect the association and ensure a stable budget. Review items such as; assessment collection procedures, delinquency policies, reserve funding strategy, and expense approval guidelines. Year-end is also a good time to assess whether your reserves match your long-term repair needs.
3. Maintenance & Safety Policies: Chicago’s winters and aging buildings require clear maintenance and emergency procedures. Ensure your building(s) are ready for the cold, brutal winters such as; preventative maintenance plans, snow and ice removal plans, emergency response guidelines, and security and key/FOB access procedures. Confirm that your building complies with Chicago building codes, fire safety rules, and inspection schedules.
   If you need vendor support for your building maintenance or safety needs, check out Condoly.io for a full directory of property management and maintenance solutions for your community.
4. Board Governance Policies: Effective leadership relies on clear expectations. Spend time to review; Board code of conduct, election procedures, conflict of interest policy, and communication and meeting guidelines to help build trust and transparency with residents.
5. Owner & Resident Policies: Clear resident-facing policies reduce confusion and complaints. Make sure your policies are current, easy to understand, and accessible to all owners. Some examples of policies to review include; pet rules, rental restrictions, move-in/move-out procedures, package delivery rules, and holiday decorating guidelines.

A December policy review sets your association up for success in the new year—keeping your building well-managed, compliant, and aligned with your community’s needs.

If your board needs further support with financial matters, how to remain compliant with state law and your governing documents, and/or how to operate transparently, reach out to Haus Financial Services today.

Pets can be a positive part of community life, but they also require thoughtful policies to ensure safety, cleanliness, and harmony among residents. Whether your board is updating its rules or navigating new pet-related concerns, here are key considerations for managing pets in a Chicago condo building.

1. Clearly Define What “Pet-Friendly” Means: If your condo association allows pets, make sure your policies reflect that clearly and consistently. Establish written guidelines in the association’s bylaws or rules and ensure management communicates them to all residents.
2. Set Reasonable Restrictions When Necessary: To protect the building and maintain resident comfort, many boards adopt limits such as; weight or size maximums, breed restrictions (if aligned with insurance requirements), and limits on the number of pets per unit. If you update or revise these rules, document the rationale and share it transparently with owners.
3. Establish Expectations for Behavior and Building Use: Clear guidelines help reduce disputes and complaints. Many Chicago buildings enforce topics such as; leash requirements in all common areas, restrictions on pets in gyms, lounges, or amenity floors, barking and noise expectations, and rules for elevator use, such as requiring carriers for small pets.
4. Consider Fees, Registration, and Insurance Requirements: Boards often require certain fees, forms, and items for residents before pets are allowed in a unit including; pet registration forms, annual fees to support cleaning or maintenance, proof of liability insurance for dog owners, and vaccination documentation. A formal registration process helps boards track pets in the building and address issues proactively.
5. Evaluate the Building’s Suitability for Pet Ownership: As you refine policies, take stock of your building’s physical layout and available amenities. Consider whether you have access to; nearby green spaces or dog relief areas, adequate elevators for high-rise living, surfaces and flooring that can withstand pet traffic, and space for a potential pet wash station. Buildings that support pet owners tend to experience fewer rule violations and complaints.

Condo boards must balance the needs of pet owners with the comfort and safety of all residents. Clear rules, strong communication, and consistent enforcement help create a respectful, pet-friendly community.

If your board needs help reviewing or updating pet policies or managing condo operations more effectively, visit Haus Financial Services for expert condominium financial and administrative support.