I've lived in one of Dickenson's buildings since 2017, and haven't had any complaints issued…read moreagainst me by residents. Despite this, the building manager has been rude and disrespectful to me on several occasions.
On April 20th, I was displaying some COVID-19 symptoms and had to wait for my partner to drop off some rapid tests. To avoid contact with other residents, I exited the building through the side stairwell. Since I was never given a key to the side door, I had to prop the door open for approximately 5 minutes. The building manager barged through the door and yelled at us: "You're IN, or you're OUT. SHUT THE DOOR." I understand that this is a security issue, but he could have asked us in a respectful manner. When I raised the issue with the building manager, he continued to berate me, ending the conversation with: "You need to take a chill pill because you're crazy." I did not appreciate the verbal harassment and disregard for the issues I raised, one being that the covered parking lot is often unlit. This is a serious safety concern, as it increases the likelihood of accidents and theft.
I want to warn students from residing in their buildings due to the differential treatment towards residents. On two occasions during COVID-19, Canada Post was unable to deliver our mail because people were congregating in the lobby without masks; although the mask by-law was in effect. The building manager did not enforce this law, despite having several security cameras in the lobby. Seeing as the virus was a serious public health risk, I believe their inaction demonstrates their negligence.
As per the condominium's regulations: "An owner shall not do or permit anything to be done in or on the common elements which will in any way increase the risk of the rate of fire insurance." Despite this regulation, the building manager smokes cigarettes in his unit. I can smell cigarette smoke when the building manager opens his unit door, as well as in the immediate area surrounding his unit. This not only poses a fire hazard, but also a health concern due to second-hand smoke. Dickenson refuses to enforce this rule, despite having 'No Smoking' signs posted.
Again, as per the condominium's regulations: "No owner shall harm, mutilate, destroy, alter, or litter on any of the landscaping on the property." Despite this, the building manager has thrown bird seed out of his unit since 2017, resulting in large numbers of birds and squirrels congregating directly outside the property. This poses a risk for pest control, as well as damages the lawn surrounding the property.
A letter was sent to Dickenson on April 26th to express the above-mentioned concerns. It took two business days for them to acknowledge the email. Two weeks later, still no response. On May 6th, a letter was sent directly to Don Dickenson, and yet again - no response to date.
I raise these issues because the corporation does not enforce the rules fairly. As mentioned, the building manager has violated several serious regulations, and has made me feel unwelcome in my own residence. And yet, the corporation has been very quick to rectify the issues raised by him. For example, I fostered a dog this past winter and the building manager pet the dog without my permission. He then proceeded to approach the dog while he was doing his business, despite the dog making a concerted effort to show his distress by barking at him. The building manager did not have the respect to raise the issue with me prior to involving Dickenson. It only took the corporation a couple days to inform me that I had to re-home the dog, despite them knowing that I only had the dog in my care for two days and needed to work on some obedience training with him.
Before the owner attempts to discredit my review as being 'uninformed,' - you have not done your due diligence by visiting the building to ensure that the rules are being enforced. It is a shame that you do not see an issue with your employees abusing their power and violating the corporation's regulations.