| There are many benefits to having a condo as | | | | While lockers in condo buildings are usually assigned |
| opposed to an apartment. One asset has to so with | | | | common property, they can also be surveyed and |
| large about of extra storage space available in | | | | titled. If they are titled, you have assurance that you will |
| condominiums. If have a lot of furniture and other | | | | never be told to change lockers, or have it taken |
| household items, buying a condo is probably a good | | | | away, but you will pay a small monthly condo fee on |
| idea. Storage space is a valuable asset in any home, | | | | the space. While these storage condo units have had |
| and more so in apartment-style condominiums. | | | | a tax assessment of zero, the City of Calgary will |
| Whether you are buying new or resale, keep in mind | | | | likely start taxing them in 2004. |
| your need to store unused luggage, ski equipment, | | | | Buildings with inadequate storage, can address the |
| camping equipment and perhaps that crate of comic | | | | problem in-house. With the developer gone, and the |
| books from your youth. | | | | condo Board of owners in charge, look around for |
| Some buildings offer a cage in the parkade, and this | | | | unused space that could be converted to lockers. |
| might even be suspended over the hood of your car, | | | | Most buildings offer under-stairwell gaps, hallway |
| which is not the most convenient thing. Others will offer | | | | dead-end spaces and other nooks that can be used. |
| a larger walk-in cage, but which is also exposed to the | | | | Basements and boiler rooms can offer lots of space, |
| dust and dirt brought in by vehicles. The smallest | | | | but watch that you do not allow access to mechanical |
| amount of storage options are found in many | | | | equipment, or break fire regulations. |
| conversion buildings. Some four-story walkup buildings | | | | If you are assigning new lockers, make sure you avoid |
| with outdoor parking do not have a basement, so | | | | month-by-month arrangements. Such details are too |
| some offer no storage outside of the suites. In addition, | | | | hard to keep track of, so rent them out either by the |
| if an existing closet in each suite has been converted | | | | year, or virtually sell them off for a lump sum in |
| to a laundry room, there can be precious little space | | | | exchange for a 99-year lease. Post the associated |
| for storing your coats, much less your bicycles and | | | | suite number on each locker door, so in future you will |
| luggage. | | | | know whose it is. Unlike with titled lockers, you cannot |
| A few condominiums come with a separate bicycle | | | | go down to the Land Titles Office to confirm who |
| storage room and lockers. This is the best standard, | | | | "owns" a locker leased on the common property. As |
| and one that all new-condo builders should strive for. | | | | to the cost of construction, it is not likely to exceed |
| Since condo bylaws prohibit storing bikes and other | | | | your lease revenue, and all your corporation wants to |
| clutter on balconies, an alternative should be offered. | | | | do is break even and provide the storage. |