July 2025
Central to every high-rise community is the one person who keeps everything running. In a condominium corporation that individual is often the condominium manager assisted by a superintendent who focuses on the physical building, thereby allowing the manager to attend to administrative, managerial and resident-focused matters.
The superintendent’s role is to keep the property running.
Superintendent duties are typically general and vary depending on building requirements, personal skills and duties approved by the condo board. Their job is to supervise and maintain common areas of the building. Tasks generally include daily maintenance and minor repair work. When something goes wrong, they are the go-to person.
In high-rise buildings it is useful for the superintendent to have some trade-specific experience like plumbing, electrical or HVAC. Some cleaning tasks may be part of the job description. Townhouse communities benefit more from a superintendent with carpentry, roofing, and landscaping skills and experience.
The superintendents’ role is not unlike a traffic cop. They coordinate the maintenance and smooth operation of the physical building, and address minor repairs and other issues. They supervise, train and schedule other staff, liaise between management and contractors in the building, ensure all rules are followed and that work is being properly completed.
The superintendent is not a personal handyman. When not working for the corporation, some condo boards allow the superintendent to be hired by residents for in-suite tasks. This is a service to residents who would otherwise be required to employ a contractor less knowledgeable about their home. This approach provides additional income to a superintendent willing to provide service during their off-duty hours.
