FAQ hub
Condo issues — frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions about reporting, triaging, and resolving condo issues — from maintenance and noise to safety, parking, and status workflows.
General questions
What is the best way to report a condo issue?
Log the issue in a shared tracker with a clear title, exact location, a photo or short video, and a priority. That gives the manager everything they need to triage without a site visit and creates an audit trail if the issue escalates.
How do I know which category my issue belongs to?
Pick the category that matches the underlying system — maintenance for building upkeep, safety for anything that could cause injury, amenities for shared equipment, noise for neighbour disputes, cleanliness for waste and pests, and parking for garage access. When in doubt, choose safety; managers can recategorise later.
What do the open, in-progress, and resolved statuses mean?
Open means the issue was submitted but not yet assigned. In progress means a vendor or responsible party is actively handling it. Resolved means the fix is complete and the ticket is closed — but it stays searchable so future boards can learn from it.
Can residents see each other's issues?
Yes. Condo issues are shared across the building so neighbours can upvote, comment, and avoid duplicate reports. Private matters (arrears, personal disputes) should be sent directly to management instead.
How does upvoting help prioritise issues?
Upvotes signal how many residents are affected by the same problem. Boards use vote counts to sequence non-urgent work and to justify budget when a repeat issue points to a larger repair.
What if my issue is urgent or a safety risk?
Call emergency services first if there is imminent danger, then file a safety-category issue with photos. Managers should acknowledge safety issues within hours, not days.
Can I attach photos and documents to an issue?
Yes. Photos, short videos, and PDFs (like vendor quotes or inspection reports) attach to the issue thread and stay with the ticket for the life of the building.
How long are resolved issues kept?
CoCollab keeps the full history indefinitely so boards, future managers, and buyers can review past decisions, vendor performance, and recurring problems.
Maintenance issues
Read the full guideReporting and tracking condo maintenance requests.
Who pays for maintenance in a condo?
Shared-area maintenance is funded by the condo's operating budget from monthly fees. Repairs inside a unit are the owner's responsibility.
How fast should a manager respond?
Safety issues (water leaks, no heat, broken locks) should get an acknowledgement within a few hours. Non-urgent items typically within 1–2 business days.
Noise complaints
Read the full guideHandling noise disputes between neighbours.
What are typical condo quiet hours?
Most bylaws set quiet hours from 22:00 to 08:00 on weekdays and until 09:00 or 10:00 on weekends, but check your building's rules of order.
Can I be fined for noise?
Yes. Many condo bylaws allow the board to issue warnings and, after repeated breaches, monetary fines against the unit.
Safety and security
Read the full guideFire, security, and emergency-related issues.
Who is liable if a safety issue causes injury?
Liability depends on jurisdiction and whether the condo was notified. Documented reports establish when the board became aware, which is critical for insurance claims.
Amenities and common areas
Read the full guideIssues with pool, gym, elevator, and shared spaces.
Can the board close an amenity for repairs?
Yes. Boards can restrict amenity access for safety or maintenance, and should announce it in advance through the condo's communication channel.
Cleanliness and waste
Read the full guideGarbage, recycling, and cleaning-related issues.
Are residents fined for dumping in hallways?
Many bylaws allow chargebacks for cleanup costs when the responsible unit can be identified.
Parking and access
Read the full guideParking violations and garage access issues.
Can the condo tow unauthorised vehicles?
In most jurisdictions yes, but the condo must post signage and follow local towing procedures.
Open issues
Read the full guideNewly reported issues awaiting triage.
How long should an issue stay open?
Safety issues should leave 'Open' within hours. General maintenance should be triaged within 1–2 business days.
Can I edit an open issue?
Yes — while an issue is Open you can update the description, add photos, or change the priority.
In-progress issues
Read the full guideIssues being actively worked on.
Why is my issue stuck in progress?
Common reasons include vendor lead times, warranty waits, and coordination with insurance. Managers should post updates in the issue thread.
Resolved issues
Read the full guideIssues that have been fixed and closed.
Can a resolved issue be reopened?
Yes. If the underlying problem returns, the reporter or manager can reopen the ticket and it moves back to In progress.
How long are resolved issues kept?
CoCollab keeps the full history so boards and future managers can review past decisions and vendor performance.