Editor
Condos Must Step in When an Aggressive Owner Goes Too Far
As the old saying goes, “You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.” For my first Condo Adviser post, I wanted to review a recent decision that sets out two key statutory duties imposed on a condo corporation when faced with a potentially aggressive condo owner. The facts of Ottawa Carleton Standard […]
Lexology Legal Influencer Award
Lexology has recently announced its Content Marketing Awards. We’re delighted to announce that our own Rod Escayola was recognized as a Legal Influencer and Gowling WLG, as a Thought Leader for the first quarter of 2019. Gowling WLG has received this recognition for the last three consecutive quarters! These awards recognize authors who consistently provide Lexology […]
Court Orders Owner to Enter into a Section 98 Agreement
In my last post, I blogged about a case where the court sided with the owners after having found that the condo corporation treated them unfairly in the context of a dispute involving modifications to common elements. Again, in Durham Condominium Corporation No. 43 v. Bradley, the court had to deal with a dispute involving […]
Interview on Disputes Between Neighbours
Rod Escayola was interviewed by CBC on an odd case being played out of Kingston. This non-condo court case involves two former neighbours who are suing each other for damages. It all started when, after a confrontation between the two neighbours, one of them tried to set the other’s house on fire in the middle […]
Refusing to Allow Modifications to Common Elements Can Amount to Oppression
The Condominium Act prevents condominium corporations from treating unit owners unfairly and differently from the rest of the owners. This obligation is found under section 135 of the Condominium Act (the oppression remedy). In Noguera v. Muskoka Condominium Corporation No. 22, the Corporation and its board of directors learned that not complying with such obligations […]
Do Changes to the Condo Act Mean More Work for Lawyers?
The Law Times is publishing a series on the impact the amended Condo Act is having on the condominium industry in Ontario. Our own Rod Escayola is optimistic that “it’s going to be a far better place in condoland in Ontario” but points out that there are some obstacles and growing pains before we get there. So, […]
Can Condos Terminate a Snow Removal Contract Early?
“Can we terminate our snow removal contractor?” This is a question condo managers and directors hear fairly often from dissatisfied owners. So, what is it? Can you terminate the contract early? The answer is “perhaps”, but have a close look at your contract before you do. We recently represented a group of condo corporations who […]
New Regulations Applicable to Condo Pools
With the warm summer we are experiencing, a pool is certainly a hot amenity to have in a condominium building. New regulations governing the operation and maintenance of pools (including pools in condos) came into effect on July 1st, 2018. Indeed, condo pools in Ontario are considered public pools and are regulated under the Health […]
Challenges with Electric Car Charging Stations in Condos
Electric car charging stations in condo buildings is a hot topic in Ontario right now, with the Province trying to lift some of the roadblocks faced by owners and corporations. We previously blogged on the recently released new regulations aimed at facilitating the installation of these charging stations in existing condo corporations. The new regulations which came […]
Provincial Elections: What Are the Rules on Canvassing in Condos?
Today marks the beginning of the election campaign in Ontario. Candidates have until June 7 to campaign and try to get your vote. Blue, green, orange and red electoral signs (we listed them in alphabetical order) are popping everywhere. Boards and property managers will soon receive requests from candidates and their representatives wanting to access […]