Voting remotely with a clear result

Why vote remotely

In many buildings, attendance at meetings is low: conflicting schedules, absent residents, or owners living elsewhere. Remote voting broadens participation without having to organize yet another meeting. It also allows you to quickly settle a simple matter, like selecting a vendor or postponing a repair.

Asking a clear question

A good vote relies on a precise question that can be answered with a yes, a no, or by choosing from a limited set of options. Avoid phrasing that blends multiple topics together. Add the necessary context, such as the quote, the cost, and the scheduled date of the work. The clearer the question, the more readily the outcome will be accepted.

Setting a realistic deadline

Allow enough time for everyone to read, discuss, and vote. A few days are enough for a straightforward question; a more significant decision requires longer. Send a reminder before the deadline closes. A vote without a deadline drags on indefinitely, while one that is too short leaves participants out.

Keeping everyone concerned informed

Every resident involved needs to receive the question, the options, and the deadline. An in-app notification, supplemented if necessary by a message from the building committee, ensures nothing is missed. Also check that residents who do not use the app can be notified through other means, in accordance with your building's rules.

Making the outcome easy to read

The result should display clearly once voting closes: turnout count, breakdown of votes, and the adopted decision. An easily readable result prevents disputes. Keep it on record with the original question and date, so you can refer back to it later if any question arises.

What to check before deciding

Certain decisions require specific majorities or formal procedures, depending on your country and your building's bylaws. Remote voting in the app can prepare a decision or gather feedback, but it does not necessarily replace a general meeting when regulations require one. Check this point before committing to any major expense.

An example of remote voting

The building committee wants to choose between two quotes to repaint the stairwell. It creates a vote with the question “Which quote do you select?”, attaches both quotes, sets a seven-day deadline, and sends out the notification. Residents vote from their phones, and the building committee sends a reminder two days before closing. When voting ends, the result is displayed: number of participants, breakdown of votes, and the chosen decision. The building committee just has to inform the selected supplier.

Encouraging participation

Higher turnout lends legitimacy to decisions. Announce the vote in advance, explain in two sentences why it matters, and remind everyone of the deadline. Thank participants when the vote closes. If few residents voted, state this in the results and decide with the building committee on the next steps.

What Resid.ai brings

In Resid.ai, the building committee creates a vote with a question, options, and a deadline; residents vote from their phones, and the results are visible to everyone once the vote is closed. Reminders and notifications can be configured by category. The resident portal is free; see the Pricing page for building committee plans.

Common mistakes

Asking an overly vague question, forgetting to specify the deadline, failing to inform all relevant residents, or launching multiple votes simultaneously on related topics. The safest approach is to address one issue at a time and share the results as soon as the vote closes.

Rules depend on your country and your building's bylaws.