**** Please note: we are NOT the Condominium Corporation's Board of Directors ****
Here are Some Opinions
Posted by HomeOwners
Posted by HomeOwners
January 7/14: Owner Issue List: If you are an owner and would like a confidential copy of the issues being discussed with your Condominium Boards, please post a comment on this website with your name, contact information, email address, and unit number you own and you will receive a response as well as a confidential copy of the issues being discussed. An update of the issues being discussed and their status also will be provided at the next monthly meeting of the Residences of the World Trade Centre HomeOwners Association.
Oct26/13: Opinion (our answers are in underlined italics):
I am a unit owner at 10 Yonge St. While I think that it is a good idea to form a home owners association, I find the website completely offensive. From the looks of it, this is not an organization of home owners and it is no better than board of directors or condo corporate in terms of transparency. I specially take issue with this page (http://www.rwtcownerstribune.com/what-our-money-has-been-spent-on-without-our-approval.html). You should be aware that a majority of unit owners voted in favour of the renovation. I'm not sure if it was a 2/3 majority, but it certainly did not proceed with a minority voting for it. Therefore, the statements "In our opinion, tearing down good walls and pillars" and "In Our Opinion, Our Money Has Been Wasted" is completely NOT representative of the opinions of the unit owners. In fact, the proposed meeting has not even taken place yet, so it is impossible for this group to even know what the opinions of the owners are! The website is clearly run by the minority of unit owners who are opposing the renovation. I hope that you take down any content that refers to an opinion of the majority until it is known what that opinion is. And please, show that you're better than the board and management team and post these comments in the "Owners Voices" section of the website. The critical issue in our opinion is the provision in the Condominium Act regarding an approval vote by owners who own at least 66 2/3% of units, in our opinion. We have revised the section you reference and trust this reflects your opinion as well.
I am a unit owner at 10 Yonge St. While I think that it is a good idea to form a home owners association, I find the website completely offensive. From the looks of it, this is not an organization of home owners and it is no better than board of directors or condo corporate in terms of transparency. I specially take issue with this page (http://www.rwtcownerstribune.com/what-our-money-has-been-spent-on-without-our-approval.html). You should be aware that a majority of unit owners voted in favour of the renovation. I'm not sure if it was a 2/3 majority, but it certainly did not proceed with a minority voting for it. Therefore, the statements "In our opinion, tearing down good walls and pillars" and "In Our Opinion, Our Money Has Been Wasted" is completely NOT representative of the opinions of the unit owners. In fact, the proposed meeting has not even taken place yet, so it is impossible for this group to even know what the opinions of the owners are! The website is clearly run by the minority of unit owners who are opposing the renovation. I hope that you take down any content that refers to an opinion of the majority until it is known what that opinion is. And please, show that you're better than the board and management team and post these comments in the "Owners Voices" section of the website. The critical issue in our opinion is the provision in the Condominium Act regarding an approval vote by owners who own at least 66 2/3% of units, in our opinion. We have revised the section you reference and trust this reflects your opinion as well.
Oct24/13: Opinion (our answers are in underlined italics):
I'm the suite owner at 10 Queens Quay West. A couple of questions:
1) Why the original URL for this website is being re-directed to http://www.rwtcownerstribune.com/how-you-can-contribute.html? As part of our mission statement, you will see that we strive "to be a forum for exchanging information that is vital to this neighbourhood's quality of life". Therefore, we have created an informational tribune for owners, and this is one way for owners to contribute to and to have access to it.
2) Why is the Nov 4, 2013 conference involves politicians? Our mission also, you can see, is "to provide leadership that enables owners of units of Residences of the World Trade Centre (the 'Owners') to exercise their rights". We believe our political leaders are well positioned to help us help you navigate the laws to exercise your rights. Although we are not providing legal advice to owners, our Member of Provincial Parliament has been very active in trying to implement laws to provide more protection to condominium property owners. The other provincial party representatives have also expressed an interest in meeting voters in this area which is in their riding. We believe this access will help owners exercise their rights. November 8 is the deadline for input by consumers to provide feedback on proposed changes to the Condominium Act. Our MPP and the other provincial party representatives may be able to provide additional information that is helpful for condominium owners.
3) Where does the funding for this HomeOwners Association come from to hold such event? From the owners of Residences of the World Trade Centre units who strive, like our mission, "to respect, protect and improve the unique character of the Residences of the World Trade Centre".
4) Like all the democratic systems in all countries, isn't it a better approach to exercise our voting power during the annual Board of Directors election so to have appropriate calibre of executives to run our buildings? We absolutely agree in the democratic process, as reflected in our mission, already mentioned above, to help owners to "exercise their rights". We also absolutely agree that you should exercise your voting power whenever you have the privilege to do so, such as during the annual AGM. We also believe in the democratic right to express our views and exercise our freedom of speech at other times such as monthly beginning November 4. You now have an additional avenue to exercise your democratic rights. We hope you agree with us that this helps meet our mission statement.
5) Did our BOD rely too much on Brookfield Property Management company, so much so that Brookfield staff becomes arrogant and being disrespectful to owners and ignores owners' opinions; they behave like the boss to owners! It is interesting that you say this; this is an opinion we have heard before. The final leg of our mission statement is "to foster the beautification and revitalization of the Residences of the World Trade Centre." Thank you for your contributions to this objective. Appreciate your reply.
I'm the suite owner at 10 Queens Quay West. A couple of questions:
1) Why the original URL for this website is being re-directed to http://www.rwtcownerstribune.com/how-you-can-contribute.html? As part of our mission statement, you will see that we strive "to be a forum for exchanging information that is vital to this neighbourhood's quality of life". Therefore, we have created an informational tribune for owners, and this is one way for owners to contribute to and to have access to it.
2) Why is the Nov 4, 2013 conference involves politicians? Our mission also, you can see, is "to provide leadership that enables owners of units of Residences of the World Trade Centre (the 'Owners') to exercise their rights". We believe our political leaders are well positioned to help us help you navigate the laws to exercise your rights. Although we are not providing legal advice to owners, our Member of Provincial Parliament has been very active in trying to implement laws to provide more protection to condominium property owners. The other provincial party representatives have also expressed an interest in meeting voters in this area which is in their riding. We believe this access will help owners exercise their rights. November 8 is the deadline for input by consumers to provide feedback on proposed changes to the Condominium Act. Our MPP and the other provincial party representatives may be able to provide additional information that is helpful for condominium owners.
3) Where does the funding for this HomeOwners Association come from to hold such event? From the owners of Residences of the World Trade Centre units who strive, like our mission, "to respect, protect and improve the unique character of the Residences of the World Trade Centre".
4) Like all the democratic systems in all countries, isn't it a better approach to exercise our voting power during the annual Board of Directors election so to have appropriate calibre of executives to run our buildings? We absolutely agree in the democratic process, as reflected in our mission, already mentioned above, to help owners to "exercise their rights". We also absolutely agree that you should exercise your voting power whenever you have the privilege to do so, such as during the annual AGM. We also believe in the democratic right to express our views and exercise our freedom of speech at other times such as monthly beginning November 4. You now have an additional avenue to exercise your democratic rights. We hope you agree with us that this helps meet our mission statement.
5) Did our BOD rely too much on Brookfield Property Management company, so much so that Brookfield staff becomes arrogant and being disrespectful to owners and ignores owners' opinions; they behave like the boss to owners! It is interesting that you say this; this is an opinion we have heard before. The final leg of our mission statement is "to foster the beautification and revitalization of the Residences of the World Trade Centre." Thank you for your contributions to this objective. Appreciate your reply.
Oct24/13: Opinion:
We own and occupy a unit at 10 Queens Quay. Maintenance fees are excessive and seem to be increasing. I haven't volunteered to sit on the board and have limited information concerning building finances, so it would be unfair at best
to be critical of the job being done. However, building maintenance fees are very high by comparison to other buildings of similar age (and by comparison to 10 Yonge), so I welcome the initiative to seek additional information and
justification.
In addition to hurting the wallet, high monthly fees reduce the marketability and value of our properties. There may be steps that can be taken to reduce fees. Here's an example. 10 Yonge elected to pay for the second floor renovation by way of special assessment. I understand that 10 Queens Quay elected to pay for this out of reserve dollars. This decision will
lead to higher monthly fees as reserves must be replenished. While not all owners would agree, if I had to choose between higher monthly fees and a special assessment, I’d elect the special assessment (which has less impact on property value and marketability).
We own and occupy a unit at 10 Queens Quay. Maintenance fees are excessive and seem to be increasing. I haven't volunteered to sit on the board and have limited information concerning building finances, so it would be unfair at best
to be critical of the job being done. However, building maintenance fees are very high by comparison to other buildings of similar age (and by comparison to 10 Yonge), so I welcome the initiative to seek additional information and
justification.
In addition to hurting the wallet, high monthly fees reduce the marketability and value of our properties. There may be steps that can be taken to reduce fees. Here's an example. 10 Yonge elected to pay for the second floor renovation by way of special assessment. I understand that 10 Queens Quay elected to pay for this out of reserve dollars. This decision will
lead to higher monthly fees as reserves must be replenished. While not all owners would agree, if I had to choose between higher monthly fees and a special assessment, I’d elect the special assessment (which has less impact on property value and marketability).
Aug30/13: Opinion:
Property Management has to explain to owners reasons for high maintenance fees(82 cents per square foot) at 10
Queens Quay compared to similar complexes in downtown: It would be very helpful and educational for owners to see the
detailed budget lines for 10 Queens Quay and 10 Queens Quay portion of Common Facilities which in total
make up our maintenence fee, divided by the total square feet serviced to arrive at the 82 cent amount. Then the monthly fee for each residence should be shown by multiplying the detailed budget line cost per square foot by square feet of unit. I think this could be a way for owners to understand how much each service is costing them. Now owners look at the total monthly fee and basically freak out.:)
Property Management has to explain to owners reasons for high maintenance fees(82 cents per square foot) at 10
Queens Quay compared to similar complexes in downtown: It would be very helpful and educational for owners to see the
detailed budget lines for 10 Queens Quay and 10 Queens Quay portion of Common Facilities which in total
make up our maintenence fee, divided by the total square feet serviced to arrive at the 82 cent amount. Then the monthly fee for each residence should be shown by multiplying the detailed budget line cost per square foot by square feet of unit. I think this could be a way for owners to understand how much each service is costing them. Now owners look at the total monthly fee and basically freak out.:)
Aug28/13: Opinion:
To me the biggest issue is the lack of respect for the owners opinions by the management office as well as the board of directors, and this includes wasting our $ and the ridiculously high condo fees we pay. I would suspect the $ issue
would be a sensitive subject for most.
To me the biggest issue is the lack of respect for the owners opinions by the management office as well as the board of directors, and this includes wasting our $ and the ridiculously high condo fees we pay. I would suspect the $ issue
would be a sensitive subject for most.
Aug26/13: Opinion:
So, I was finally able to get on the site - thanks for clarifying. I think it is a good start and we could do lots more toget things to improve and to get the Management Office & Board of Directors to listen to the wishes of the owners. I guess the trick would be to get the majority of owners on board and involved.
So, I was finally able to get on the site - thanks for clarifying. I think it is a good start and we could do lots more toget things to improve and to get the Management Office & Board of Directors to listen to the wishes of the owners. I guess the trick would be to get the majority of owners on board and involved.
Aug24/13: Opinion:
8th floor hallway Carpeting is fading/bleaching rapidly. Carpet on the entire floor began to fade a few
months after installation, along with the black diamond design. This has taken place on all
floors of building. Take a look at the penthouse floor where patches of carpet were replaced to see the extent of fading. The
black diamond design was replaced at no cost to owners, but not the rest of the carpet. The rest of the carpet has to be replaced at no cost to owners.
8th floor hallway Carpeting is fading/bleaching rapidly. Carpet on the entire floor began to fade a few
months after installation, along with the black diamond design. This has taken place on all
floors of building. Take a look at the penthouse floor where patches of carpet were replaced to see the extent of fading. The
black diamond design was replaced at no cost to owners, but not the rest of the carpet. The rest of the carpet has to be replaced at no cost to owners.
