Addressing Harassment Challenges Faced by Directors and Residents

As dedicated property management professionals and a leading property management company with over 15 years of experience, ensuring the safety and well-being of condo communities is the top priority for our entire team at City Sites Property Management.

Through our commitment to this goal, we have taken proactive steps to collaborate with industry experts, such as Stratastic Inc., by sharing our valuable insights and expertise on top issues such as the trend of harassment and violence in condos across the province and beyond.

As highlighted in a collaborative article with Stratastic Inc., City Site’s President, Nicholas Chirametli, provides his comprehensive insights and recommendations regarding the challenges faced by condo directors and residents, as well as potential legislative measures that could be implemented to address these issues effectively across condominium corporations in Ontario.

“Directors are volunteers . . . [and] your average Director will be discouraged quickly from dedicating their personal time to the condominium if they are abused by fellow owners, tenants, contractors or property management. We all know that abuse in the workplace can take many forms (including verbal and physical) but there are more nuanced challenges in a workplace that is also a residence such as stalking, smear campaigns, frivolous litigation and more that Directors can and have experienced” shares Nicholas Chirametli, President City Sites Property Management) for Stratastic Inc.

It’s knowledge like this, and a strict stance against harassment, that makes City Sites and Nicholas Chirametli a key voice in the industry’s fight against this troubling trend, as well as partnership with other industry leaders to collectively combat unwelcome behaviour for all.

Here are the top 3 takeaways from…

“Protecting Directors and Residents Against Harassment in Condos: Existing Legislative Measures + Future Considerations”

Recognizing the Challenges Faced by Directors: It has brought to attention the challenges encountered by condo directors, who volunteer their time and effort to serve their communities. Unlike condo managers and staff, directors often face harassment without the protection of workplace safety laws, making them vulnerable targets within their own residences. The personal account shared by “Mike F” underscores the severity of the issue, highlighting instances of stalking, threats, defamation, and physical violence directed at directors.
Proposed Legislative Solutions: In response to the challenges encountered by condo directors and residents, advocates are pushing for legislative measures to protect them from harassment and violence. A discussion of the recommendations put forth by The Joint Safety and Security Legislation Committee, which emphasize the need to balance owner rights with the obligation to ensure safety and accountability within condo communities. By exploring options such as exempting owner information from public disclosure and appointing a third-party intermediary, stakeholders aim to create a fair and transparent election process while safeguarding individual privacy and security.
Addressing Misinformation and Defamation: In addition, advocates are addressing the detrimental impact of misinformation and defamation campaigns on directors and condo communities. They emphasize the importance of transparent communication and community engagement in combating smear campaigns and promoting factual dialogue. By empowering directors to challenge false narratives and educate residents, condo communities can mitigate the harmful effects of harassment and promote a culture of trust and collaboration.