Year: 2017
Countdown to your Next AGM
Don’t trip over the deadlines: Use our AGM calculator to know exactly when to send each notice leading to your next owners meeting. 35 days before the AGM At least 35 days before the AGM, the board must send out a written Preliminary Notice to the owners and mortgagees whose names appear on the corporation’s record […]
Steps Required by Condos to Allow for Electronic Service of Documents on Owners
Condo corporations are often required to send formal notices to owners. These formal communications will increase under the “new” Act. Corporations may be able to reduce cost (and save trees) by switching to electronic communications. Here is how. Requirement to Communicate with Owners Under the current Act, condo corporations are often required to send formal […]
Condos Have More Time Before Changes to Insurance Regime
Much ink has been spilled in the last few months over the upcoming changes to the insurance regime applicable to condominiums. In particular, a lot has been written about existing Insurance deductible by-laws and any looming deadline to re-arrange your corporation’s affairs on this front. Well, we may all have more time to breathe… Help us […]
Airbnb in Condos: Focus on British Columbia
As in Ontario and many other jurisdictions, Airbnb and similar short-term leasing web-based services are big business in British Columbia. While some condo communities have embraced Airbnbs, requiring owners to provide guest information to the concierge and charging user fees to pay for increased security, etc., other condo communities which are not suited to this […]
What to Do When Condo Owners Send Insulting and Harassing Emails?
Condo owners are often the first to notice when something needs the attention of the board or management. Whether it’d be a burned light bulb or a squeaky door. Emails facilitate these service call requests. But what is a corporation to do when the volume and content of an owner’s communications is such that it […]
The Final Version of the Licensing Regulations for Condo Managers is Officially Out!
The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services has just issued and posted online the final version of the Licensing Regulations for Condo Managers! You can read the final text here. While the precise education requirements for condo managers have yet to be specified, Condo Manager licensing is expected to begin in the fall of 2017. We […]
Condo Arrears Include Legal Fees
In a recent unreported Ottawa case, a condo owner sued his condominium to recover the legal fees charged against his unit following his failure to pay his common expenses on time. This case reminds owners of the importance of paying in time the totality of the arrears… including the interests and the legal fees incurred by the corporation […]
Is your Condo Ready for the Legalization of Marijuana?
Last week, the government of Canada introduced legislation to legalize and regulate the possession, production and use of marijuana in Canada. What does that mean for your condo corporation? It may be time to update your rules. Are you considering adopting a rule regulating smoking or cannabis? You may want to survey your owners before you […]
New Condo Authorities Launch their Websites!
The “new” Condo Act and the new Condo Management Services Act are expected to be implemented in phases over the next few months. While proposed regulations to this legislation are still in draft form, the new “Condo Authorities” expected to be set up just launched their web sites. Have a look! The Condominium Authority of Ontario Ontario is expected […]
Major Changes to Condo Insurance and Repair Obligations
The province of Ontario is in the process of adopting sweeping changes to the Condominium Act. In this post we discuss how the new provisions will drastically change who is responsible to repair (and therefore who is responsible to insure) condominium units. Corporations should consider acting quickly to put in place various protections which may no […]