Condo Repairs in Calgary: Your Unit vs the Board

Owning a condo in Calgary means sharing responsibility for the building. You look after your unit. The condo corporation, run by a board and usually a property manager, looks after common property. The tricky part is that the line between the two is not always where you would expect, and it differs from building to building.

This guide covers condo repairs in Calgary, with a focus on the high-rise and mid-rise buildings of the Beltline, Downtown, East Village and Mission: what is usually yours to fix, what usually belongs to the board, what building rules affect a repair visit, and how to get a quote.

How responsibility is split

In Alberta, condominiums are governed by the Condominium Property Act, your corporation's bylaws and the condominium plan registered for your building. Together, these set out what is part of your unit and what is common property. Some areas, like balconies or parking stalls, may be common property that only you get to use.

There is no single rule for every building. Your bylaws and condo plan are the final word. If you are unsure, ask your property manager before booking work.

What is usually yours to fix

Inside your unit, owners are usually responsible for:

Interior walls and paint: drywall patches, nail pops, painting. See interior painting in Calgary.
Interior doors and their hardware
Kitchen cabinets, drawers and hardware
Bathroom accessories, caulking and fixtures within the unit. See caulking and sealing in Calgary.
Light fixtures inside the unit, on existing boxes. See light fixture installation in Calgary.
Closet systems, shelving and blinds
Furniture assembly and mounting. See furniture assembly in Calgary.
Appliances that belong to the unit

What usually belongs to the board

These are often common property or controlled by the corporation:

Exterior walls, windows and balcony doors, in many buildings
The unit entry door, which in many buildings is fire-rated and may be common property
Balcony railings and balcony surfaces
Building plumbing risers, main drains and sprinkler systems
Hallways, lobbies, elevators and parkades
Building heating and ventilation systems
Anything structural, including concrete slabs and columns

If one of these is damaged, report it to your property manager rather than booking a repair yourself.

Changes that usually need approval

Even inside your unit, some changes often need board approval:

Drilling into concrete walls, ceilings or floors in some buildings
Changing flooring, especially from carpet to hard flooring, since sound transfer rules often apply
Changing the entry door, its hardware or adding anything to it
Anything visible from outside: balcony furniture rules, window coverings facing out, satellite dishes
Plumbing or electrical changes

Concrete construction in Calgary towers

Many condo towers in the Beltline, Downtown, East Village and Mission are built with concrete floors and ceilings, and some have concrete walls between units or on the exterior. That affects common jobs:

Mounting TVs, shelves and art on concrete needs a hammer drill and concrete anchors, and some buildings restrict drilling into certain walls
Light fixtures on concrete ceilings are mounted to boxes cast into the slab or surface-mounted, so swapping one may be different from a house
Furniture anchoring on concrete walls needs the right anchors
Noise. Drilling into concrete carries through the building, which is why many buildings limit the hours for noisy work

Interior partition walls inside a unit are often steel or wood studs with drywall, which is easier to work with.

Building rules for repair visits

Before a visit, check your building's rules:

Work hours. Many buildings limit noisy work to weekdays and set hours.
Service elevator booking. Needed for moving furniture or materials in some buildings.
Parking. Downtown and Beltline visitor parking is limited. Let us know where a work vehicle can park, or whether there is loading access.
Contractor requirements. Some buildings require sign-in, notice to the concierge or paperwork before contractors start. Ask your property manager what applies and mention it when you text.
Fob or key access for the person doing the work.

Common condo jobs

Patching and painting after moving out or before listing
Re-caulking tubs and showers
Cabinet door and drawer adjustments
Closet doors off their tracks
Swapping light fixtures
Assembling and anchoring furniture
Mounting TVs and shelving
Replacing weatherstripping on balcony doors, where the unit owner is responsible
Changing interior door hardware

Noise and neighbours

Sound travels in concrete buildings, so drilling and hammering carry further than people expect. Telling your neighbours or the concierge about planned work, and keeping noisy tasks within the building's allowed hours, avoids complaints. Quieter jobs like painting, caulking and cabinet adjustments are usually fine at any reasonable time.

Neighbourhood notes

Beltline: a mix of older low-rise walk-ups and modern towers near 17 Avenue SW and the Stampede grounds. Older walk-ups may have wood framing and plaster; newer towers are concrete.
Downtown and Eau Claire: towers close to the Bow River and the core, with strict building rules and limited parking.
East Village: many newer concrete towers near the RiverWalk, the Central Library and the Bow River.
Mission: low-rise and mid-rise buildings along 4 Street SW and the Elbow River, many of them older.

Renting out your condo

If you rent out your unit, turnover repairs between tenants follow the same rules. Keep your bylaws handy. See rental turnover repairs for Calgary landlords.

Balcony season

Balconies in Calgary condos get heavy use in the short summer. Before the season, check what you are allowed to put on your balcony under your bylaws, since many buildings limit barbecues, privacy screens, planters and anything fastened to the railings or walls. Patio furniture can be assembled inside and carried out, and anything that might blow away in a chinook wind should be secured or stored. Damage to the balcony surface, railing or the building's exterior should be reported to the property manager rather than repaired by the owner.

How to get a quote

Text a photo of the job to 647-806-8070 with:

Your building's neighbourhood: Beltline, Downtown, East Village, Mission or elsewhere
Any building rules on work hours, elevator booking or contractor requirements
Parking or loading options
A wide photo and a close-up of the job

You get a price before anything is booked. See the services list.

Free quote by text

In a condo? Text a photo

Send a photo of the job, your neighbourhood and the days that suit you. You get a price back before anything is booked. Materials are agreed in the quote, and you can pay by Interac e-Transfer, cash or bank draft.

647‑806‑8070

Call now Text a photo

Calgary NW, NE, SW and SE, plus Airdrie and Chestermere.

Questions

What can I fix in my condo without board approval?

Usually interior paint, drywall patches, cabinet adjustments, in-unit caulking, light fixtures on existing boxes and furniture assembly. Your bylaws are the final word, so check before booking.

Is my condo's balcony door my responsibility?

In many buildings, windows and balcony doors are common property. Check your bylaws and condo plan, and ask your property manager.

Can you drill into concrete walls in my condo?

Yes, with a hammer drill and concrete anchors, where your building allows it. Some buildings restrict drilling into certain walls.

Do you work in downtown and Beltline condo towers?

Yes. Let us know about work hours, elevator booking, parking and any contractor requirements in your building.

Who handles a leak from the unit above?

Report it to your property manager first. Leaks from other units or building systems are usually the corporation's or the other owner's responsibility.