February 2018
Condo communities should be catering to all ages and life-stages in their community.
It is increasing important for condo communities to be inclusive. Singles age, have families and enter middle-age before becoming seniors. Retaining residents through life-stages can be a challenge. If your condo community does not currently have a growing population of young children, that is likely to change in the coming years.
Common areas should serve the entire community. Far too often they are designed to accommodate the interests of single adults. Too little thought is given to the needs of children, families and seniors.
Children require space to run and play with toys. Teens need space to escape parents and do homework. Seniors, generally at home for more time than other groups, require social interaction and quiet time. Parents should be mindful of their children out of respect to others. Management must be prepared to deal with family matters that disrupt other residents.
Children and teens seek out others the same age. Groups of them laughing, running and playing can be disruptive to others. Noise complaints and damage to common areas can result. Problems are less frequent when there is a designated space for them to congregate. Reasonable rules are important. Parents should be asked to control children and teens that become too loud, disruptive or cause damage.
Parents ….
Children and teens should not be allowed to roam free throughout a condo community. Condo rules often require parents to supervise their children. This means knowing where they are and what they are doing. Some common areas may be off limits to children unless parents are with them. Certain activities such as drums, throwing toys, and screaming or jumping from furniture to floor are not acceptable in a high-rise environment.
Condo Management ….
Investigate complaints and problems but don’t be too quick about formal enforcement. A short conversation will likely resolve most problems. When this doesn’t work, speak with their parents. Only after informal methods fail should formal written notices be considered. More persistent problems may warrant faster and more formal action. It is all about balancing the interests of residents with and without children.
Condo communities can be inclusive by considering the needs of all their residents. Offer a weekly movie night in a common area. Allow teens to offer babysitting, pet-sitting or senior companionship services to those in need. Invite a local organization to offer children’s programming in common areas. Swimming lessons on weekends or late afternoon is less likely to disrupt adult use of a swimming pool. Take advantage of holidays popular with children such as Halloween. Having a costume party open to residents and their guests is a great way to include both seniors with grandchildren and singles with nieces or nephews.
