Video credits: Patrick Morris via YouTube
Living in a condominium unit may have similarities with living in a normal single detached home but there are more differences than similarities, at least for me. Today's blog is all about the basic do's and don'ts when you live or rent a condo unit.
Since late 2015, my husband and I had been living in our personal condo unit with a terrace and which a huge cabinet separates our room from the living room and the kitchen. Our comfort room is all comfortable and our kitchen sink plus counter are all good for the two of us but really, this is really not suitable for three or more people. So imagine if our first child will be born (hopefully), we need to get a bigger space, perhaps at that time, we'll move to a new home in the province!
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But most importantly, living here had taught us a lot of manners, we have to be mindful, thoughtful and considerate to everyone else living in this four-story condo building, that I also hope our neighbors are also having the same mindset.
So I made these list so those who are planning to live in a similar set up as we are in have the idea on these things because it is always good to be ready than be sorry!
THE DO's
Do Greet and Interact with Staff and Personnel
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All condo units have their own workers and staff which maintains the building and provide cleaning services as well as fix any issues reported to the administration. While homeowners might think that they are being paid for these jobs, it is still humane to be courteous and respectful to these workers.
I see most of them works as early as seven in the morning, sweeping the hallways, the roads and parking lots to ensure that they're clean enough before all other homeowners get up and start their day.
There are security guards who are wide awake the entire day and night to watch over the building and be of service when the situation demands it. They get tired too and a smile or a little chit chat won't really hurt if given to them.
What I usually do every once in a while is to also give them snacks and some meals when we have extra at home. This act makes them happy. I can't forget one of the cleaners whom I gave a single foam bed to told me her son don't have a decent bed at his boarding house so she had sent it to him, she was really grateful!
Do Your Own Share of Cleaning Communal Spots
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It is given that the unit owner would only be cleaning up their own space. It is also true that the hallways and common areas are the responsibility of the staffs but it is not bad if you'll spare some time with cleaning that communal area next to your door such as the pathway.
I like it when I pass by our level's hallway and don't see any trash or fallen leaves which gets into the building. But sometimes, it is just discouraging that some rooms sweep their room dust out into the hallway for the cleaners to take care of. It is very disappointing to see kids playing in the common areas and parents leave their toys, some would even neglect to bring with them their own garbage!
Do Sort Your Trash
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Garbage segregation is one of the main issues why the city of Cebu specifically and this can also be applied in the entire country and perhaps some of the nations around the world.
This habit maybe challenging but with a constant action, this is definitely possible. Have at least two trash bins inside your condo and separate biodegradables and non-biodegradables. Also, adding a third trash bin for the comfort room is very ideal too!
When you sort your trash and they are disposed at the bigger bins for the collectors' day, they won't be having trouble segregating those by themselves. The problem with the humans living here on earth is that they produce a lot of non-biodegradable trash and they don't know how to take care of them, thus calamities and disasters occur. In our area, flooding is really rampant especially during the rainy season.
So start it in your little ways, soon, this simple act adds up to make a huge difference in our lives as well as to our nature.
Do Join Community Groups
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Part of being in a settlement situation like condominiums is the fact that we should interact with our neighbors but because of the hectic schedules and busy-ness due to work and even our personal lives.
So the common resolution is to interact through online resources, these days, we use Facebook. Here the communications from the association officers' updates on issues or community events. Meetings and other events are all posted there so those responsible homeowners should be on the lookout for these announcements.
The advantage is that you're advised with the news and updates of the community!
Do Report Anything Suspicious
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It is a responsibility of each homeowner to be conscious and curious about what is happening in his or her environment. We are ought to be looking out for each other's units regardless of whatever the past had incurred to you and the neighbors.
Weird and unusual noises, some unknown person roaming around or anyone or anything suspicious should be reported to the admin or the security for them to check further, we might be able to save someone else's lives by doing so. Be conscious and alert always!
THE DON'Ts
Don't Throw Anything From the Terrace
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This really pisses me. In a condo building, we all know someone is out there on the balcony or inside the room and it is just improper to just throw something out from the terraces most especially if they're trash. It's definitely a no-no and one must learn their manners.
I have experienced a lot of times where the person from the fourth floor throws cigarette butts into the air and it lands on the next room's balcony because of wind and such, it's a shame and it really disgusting to be inhaling those butts while it flies in the air.
Throwing them on the terrace just shows how bad you are as a person. Learn to be respectful both to nature and to your co-humans.
Don't Flush Tissues, etc
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Flushing of tissues and anything rather than your pee, water, and stool is very dangerous especially to condominiums because this has a tendency of clogging the drainage system of the entire building. Imagine the horror of the person who'll be cleaning up your mess!
It really doesn't take a lot of effort to throw those tissues into the trash bins instead of the toilet bowl! Plus, it takes a lot of water to drain that so its a waste of water resource.
Don't Cause Any Disturbing Noise
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One of the most common mistakes of newly transferred owners is the noise pollution. Majority of the owners here in our own building have day jobs so whenever they arrive home, they'd turn on their speakers for some music or watch movies with a high volume.
Unfortunately, this is very disrespectful. With just walls separating you with the person living next to you, there's a huge possibility that they are able to hear what's playing!
So be extra mindful, think of those who are already asleep, think of the kids who are napping in the afternoon and most especially, think of your own eardrums, you don't want them blown out right? So lower that volume and ensure you aren't disturbing others.
Speaking of disturbing, walking the pathway with so much noise is another thing and yet it is also another thing to talk loudly while passing through the hallways.
Don't Use Communal Areas as Your Personal Spot
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I noticed that some homeowners feel like the communal areas of the building which are near to their rooms are theirs' too! They put their slippers there, their plants, their pets and even put their trash!
It's better to be respectful both to yourself and the others who are also living in the condo building, plus the workers who are trying hard to keep it clean.
Lastly, learn to obey the rules of the association such as paying the monthly dues, not using anything that might do harm to your own unit or the one next to you. In short, just be obedient and respectful.
Video credits: The Global Filipino Investors TGFI via YouTube
That's it for today! Enjoy the rest of your day guys! Watch this video above which is all about condo living in the Philippines!
This blog entry was written and published by Jean Beltran-Figues for bitlanders.com.
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