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The city’s condo market is booming. Should total building commissioning for condominiums be mandatory in order to achieve substantial completion?
Today, many people call a condominium both their home and their investment. As such, the desire for a well built and functioning building is quickly becoming an important issue. I recently received a newsletter from the office of MPP, Rosario Marchese, who proposed changes to the Condominium Act in Bill 72. He puts a great deal of emphasis on condo owners’ rights, and developers’ responsibilities. Being a condo dweller myself, this is encouraging to see. However, while what this bill focuses on is most certainly important, what about the systems that makes the structure into a comfortable and usable building? Is anyone ensuring that these systems are working as intended before people move in and issues are raised? Total building commissioning provides this verification. It aids in having a smoother turnover of the building, reduced operational problems, increased performance, and fewer occupant complaints.
Currently, new condos applying for LEED certification are being commissioned by commissioning authorities. While commercial and institutional building owners are gradually becoming aware of the importance of building commissioning and making it a requirement, to a condo developer, this is just an added cost. Perhaps the time has come to make commissioning of condo systems a mandatory requirement. What do you think Mr. Marchese?