Professional
Building Manager
Certificate
Information Brochure
2016 - 2017
Langara College – Continuing Studies
100 West 49th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C. V5Y 2Z6
Telephone: 604-323-5322
Website: www.langara.bc.ca/real-estate
Langara College Real Estate Programs
Professional Building Manager Certificate
For course or program advice call John Neuls at 604-323-5409 or email jneuls@langara.bc.ca
Table of Contents
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Program Description
Required Courses
Starting the Program
Completing the Program
Class Times and Location
Tuition and Books
Building Manager Job Description
Course Descriptions
Schedule and Registration Information
Course Planner 2014-2015
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page 3
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page 4
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page 6
page 8
page 9
Program Description
This part-time program covers supervisory and management skills specifically
related to building operations. The program content is applicable to residential
and commercial buildings, as well as hospitality and health facilities.
The core courses develop essential knowledge and skills in building
management, building operating systems, writing and communications, tenant
relations, and creating productive relationships with staff, trades, and other
professionals on the property management team. The elective courses allow
students to tailor the program to suit their individual learning objectives and
career plans.
Required Courses
To earn the certificate, students complete four core courses and three elective
courses.
Core Courses (4)
 PROP 1060
 PROP 1044
 BSAD 1020
 GBSC 1004
Building Systems and Analysis
Building Operations Management
Negotiation and Dispute Resolution
Business Communications
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Langara College Real Estate Programs
Elective Courses (select 3)
 PROP 1031 Managing Residential Tenancies
 PROP 1061 Commercial Lease Analysis
 BSAD 1016 Project Supervision
 SSCP 1010 Leading and Managing Employees
 PROP 1065 Creating an RFP for Janitorial Services
 PROP 1049 House Construction
Note: The core courses are longer than the elective courses. The core courses are thirty or thirtysix hours, scheduled over 10 or 12 weekly sessions. Most elective courses are twelve hours in
duration, scheduled over 4 weekly evening sessions or 3 Saturday sessions.
Students may register in any individual course.
See page 8 to locate current schedule and registration information. Course
descriptions start on page 6. Also see the Course Planner on page 9 for course
offerings by semester.
Starting the Program
Students may begin the program in any semester by registering in one of the
available program courses. Registration is on a course-by-course basis each
semester. There is no program application/admission procedure.
The entrance requirement for any program course is completion of British
Columbia Grade 12 or equivalent, or 19 years of age or older. Students should
be able to read and write at the Grade 12 level in order to successfully complete
the assignment and reading requirements in each course.
Completing the Program
To earn the certificate, students must complete all required courses within a fouryear period with a minimum grade of C (60%) in each course. Upon successful
completion of all required courses, students may apply for the certificate at the
Continuing Studies office.
A student who takes one or two courses per semester will complete the program
in two years or less. A student who is working full-time should only take one core
course per semester. The elective courses are relatively short (12 to 18 hours)
and can be taken concurrently in some semesters. A student who is not working
or working part-time could complete the entire program in one year, between
September and August (3 semesters). See the Course Planner on page 9 for
course offerings by semester.
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Langara College Real Estate Programs
Class Times and Location
Most courses hold classroom sessions 1 evening per week. Some courses hold
classroom sessions on Saturday.
All classes are held at the Langara College campus at 100 West 49th Avenue in
Vancouver. Room numbers are posted on the ‘room board’ next to the
Continuing Studies office.
Tuition and Books
Tuition is paid on a course-by-course basis upon course registration at the start
of each semester. The total tuition for all courses in the certificate program is
approximately $2,635. Total tuition will vary depending upon the elective courses
selected by the student. Tuition for individual courses is listed at the end of each
course description (see below).
The total cost for textbooks is approximately $220. The total cost for textbooks
will vary depending upon the elective courses selected. Textbooks are available
in the Langara College Bookstore at the start of each semester. The Bookstore
telephone number is 604-323-5525. Bookstore information is also available on
the College website (www.langara.bc.ca).
Tuition and textbooks are the only costs to the student. There are no student
fees, graduation fees, etc.
Building Manager Job Description
A building manager is typically the on-site manager responsible for day-to-day
operations at one property.
A building manager may be employed at an apartment building, an office
building, a retail centre, a hotel, a retirement home, a non-profit housing complex,
a hospital, or a college campus. A building manager is the “eyes, ears, and
hands” that oversee daily operations at a given site. The building manager must
understand the mechanical operations of the building as well as how to deal with
the people who occupy or visit the building daily.
Example responsibilities of a building manager include the following:
 Routine inspections of the building, grounds, and equipment
 Supervision of on-site staff
 Monitoring the work of visiting trades and service contractors
 Face-to-face dealings with tenants, trades, and service contractors
 Showing suites to prospective renters (residential buildings)
 Dispute resolution and explaining landlord/tenant rights and obligations
 Assisting in the preparation of maintenance plans
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Langara College Real Estate Programs
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Maintaining office and bookkeeping records
Preparing reports as required by senior management
Handling on-site emergencies
Property Manager or Administrator
A building manager will normally report to a property manager or a senior
administrator. A property manager or administrator relies on the building
manager for on-site supervision, including accurate reporting on conditions and
activities at the building site.
A property manager or administrator is frequently responsible for a wide range of
properties, including apartment buildings, office buildings, medical buildings,
retail developments, and industrial sites. He or she must ensure that each
property operates safely and efficiently and generates an appropriate economic
return. The job entails both administrative management and investment (asset)
management.
Example responsibilities of a property manager or administrator include the
following:
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Developing and monitoring a budget for each property
Establishing a maintenance plan for each property
Establishing an emergency preparedness plan for each property
Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements at each property
Preparing capital upgrade plans
Recommending measures to reduce energy consumption
Setting rental rates
Developing and implementing rental/leasing policies for each property
Preparing a marketing plan for each property
Establishing hiring and personnel policies for each property
Advising on appropriate insurance coverage for each property
Handling legal issues and communications with lawyers
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Langara College Real Estate Programs
Course Descriptions
Courses normally run 1 session per week on a weekday evening or a Saturday. For example, a
36-hour course may run over 12 weekly sessions at 3 hours per session. See page 8 for current
scheduling information. Also see the Course Planner on page 9. Tuition is subject to change.
PROP 1044 Building Operations Management
This course examines building operations from a management perspective. You
will learn how buildings operate, how to develop a building maintenance plan,
how to improve safety and efficiency, and how to solve maintenance problems.
Topics include: planning and risk management, best practices, budgeting,
tendering and purchasing, service contracts, capital upgrades, and project
supervision. Course content applies to residential and commercial properties as
well as institutional facilities. This is a core course in the Professional Building
Manager Certificate program. (36 hours) $560
PROP 1060 Building Systems and Analysis
This course provides a thorough examination of building systems and equipment,
and how to analyze and rectify problems in building systems. Topics include:
building structure and envelope, mechanical systems and HVAC, maintenance
and inspection schedules, report research, building audits, energy efficiency, and
problem-solving techniques. Course content applies to residential and
commercial properties as well as institutional facilities. This is a core course in
the Professional Building Manager Certificate program. (36 hours) $510
GBSC 1004 Business Communications
This course introduces the fundamentals of interpersonal and group interaction
including written, verbal, and non-verbal communication. The class will examine
options in presentation preparation and delivery techniques, awareness of tone,
consideration of audience, and selection of indirect and direct message
organization. This is a core course in the Professional Building Manager
Certificate program. (36 hours) $405
PROP 1061 Commercial Lease Analysis
This concise course examines commercial tenancies and commercial leases in
British Columbia. Emphasis is placed on understanding and interpreting lease
documents related to a variety of property types, including office and retail. The
course is suitable for property managers, building managers, commercial
landlords, and those who plan to rent commercial space. This is an elective
course in the Professional Building Manager Certificate. (12 hours) $238
PROP 1049 House Construction
Learn about building techniques and the materials used in the construction of
wood-frame homes in British Columbia. Construction topics include: footings and
foundations, framing, the envelope system, mechanical systems, and interior
finishes. The course also covers basic information on permits, zoning,
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Langara College Real Estate Programs
inspections, codes, and important documents in the construction and approval
process. This is an elective course in the Professional Building Manager
Certificate program. (12 hours) $237
SSCP 1010 Leading and Managing Employees
What makes people want to do well and how can you motivate them? A stronger
understanding of employee motivation will help you improve your personal and
organizational performance. Explore how effective leadership and management
practices can increase job satisfaction, boost employee morale, and create high
performance teams. This is an elective course in the Professional Building
Manager Certificate program. (12 hours) $315
PROP 1065 Creating an RFP for Janitorial Services
Learn how to manage and motivate building service staff for excellence in
cleaning, security, and customer service. Topics include: hiring, orientation and
training, team building, managing conflict, productivity and labor costs. Students
will review a video presentation and unique case studies that clearly define
“steps for success” as a building service manager. This is an elective course in
the Professional Building Manager Certificate program. (12 hours) $233
PROP 1031 Managing Residential Tenancies
This practical course is designed for managers and owners of apartment
buildings, rental houses, and rental suites. Topics include: marketing suites,
tenant selection, tenancy applications, tenancy agreements, serving notices,
rents, eviction, arbitration, dispute resolution, and the Residential Tenancy Act.
This is an elective course in the Professional Building Manager Certificate
program. (12 hours) $238
BSAD 1020 Negotiation and Dispute Resolution
Develop the dispute resolution, negotiation, and mediation skills essential in
today’s demanding workplace. Learn how to analyze complex issues, find
common ground, deal with different communication styles, envision win-win
outcomes, avoid litigation, and effectively resolve disputes. This is a core course
in the Professional Building Manager Certificate program. (36 hours) $440
BSAD 1016 Project Supervision
Develop the skills you need to successfully complete projects on time and on
budget. Learn to analyze tasks and risks, define the scope of a project, build
teams, and create resource plans. You will use Microsoft Project 2007 as a tool
for project administration and organization. Prerequisite: Windows File
Management, Computer Basics, or equivalent experience is strongly
recommended. This is an elective course in the Professional Building Manager
Certificate program. (18 hours) $315
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Langara College Real Estate Programs
Schedule and Registration Information
Langara College offers real estate courses in the fall semester (SeptemberDecember), spring semester (January-April), and the summer semester (MayAugust). Not all courses are offered every semester. See the Course Planner on
page 9 for courses offered each semester.
For current course offerings, course dates, tuition fees, and other information,
visit:
www.langara.bc.ca/real-estate
Note: The course schedule for an upcoming semester is displayed on the
website approximately 6 weeks before the start of the new semester. For
example, the course schedule for the Sep-Dec semester will appear on the
website by July 31. The course schedule for the Jan-Apr semester will appear on
the website by November 30.
For a current Continuing Studies Catalogue (print version), visit the Continuing
Studies office or call to have a current Catalogue sent by mail.
Langara College – Continuing Studies
100 West 49th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C. V5Y 2Z6
Telephone: 604-323-5322
Website: www.langara.bc.ca/cs
Course Planner
2015 - 2017
The “X” indicates the semester in which a course is offered. While every effort is made to follow
this schedule, the College reserves the right to make adjustments due to unforeseen
circumstances.
Course
Sep-Dec Jan-Apr May-Aug
PROP 1044 Building Operations Management
PROP 1060 Building Systems and Analysis
PROP 1065 Creating an RFP for Jan. Services
GBSC 1004 Business Communications
PROP 1061 Commercial Lease Analysis
PROP 1049 House Construction
SSCP 1010 Leading and Managing Employees
PROP 1031 Managing Residential Tenancies
BSAD 1020 Negotiation and Dispute Resolution
BSAD 1016 Project Supervision
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Langara College Real Estate Programs
Langara College also offers the Property Management Certificate program, the
Social Housing Management Certificate program, and the Real Property Analyst
Certificate program. Selected courses from these programs are offered as
indicated.
Course
Sep-Dec Jan-Apr May-Aug
GBSC 1006 Financial Skills for Managers
PROP 1002 Property Management – Commercial
PROP 1001 Property Management – Residential
PROP 1005 Real Estate Appraisal
PROP 1033 Real Estate Development
PROP 1020 Real Estate Investment Analysis
PROP 1004 Real Estate Law
PROP 1024 Real Estate Mathematics
PROP 1022 Residential Construction
PROP 1030 Social and Affordable Housing in BC
PROP 1052 Social Housing Management
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2016-02-09
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