Graeme Macpherson
Can the CAT evict your dog?
As many of our readers know, on October 1, 2020 the Condominium Authority Tribunal (also known as the CAT), expanded its jurisdiction beyond records requests. The CAT now handles disputes relating to pets, parking, storage and lockers (and chargebacks related to these). This is a relatively new change, and, as such, many of us were […]
Can you Enforce a Policy the same way as a Rule?
The CAT recently released a very interesting case with a lot of useful information packed into it, including some guidance on when a board policy really ought to have been a rule. Let’s dive right in! Facts of this case The owner in this matter lived in her unit for ten years. She had several […]
Ex-Owners Are Not Entitled to Access Records of the Condo Corporation
A recently released decision from the Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT) shed some light on an interesting question: can someone who ceases to be a condo owner still be entitled to access the records of the corporation or is this a privilege only available to current owners? The case In Baljak v HCC 371, an owner commenced […]
Ontario Extends the Period Allowing Virtual AGMs, Electronic Notifications and Remote Board Meetings
As many of our readers know, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Provincial Government had amended the Condominium Act to allow corporations across the province to hold their AGMs virtually, even without a bylaw permitting it. However, as the state of emergency was ended on July 24, 2020, this exception period was scheduled to end […]
Mandatory Registration for Short-Term Rentals (in Toronto)
The City of Toronto has launched a new online registration system for short-term rental operators who rent their homes on a short-term basis for a period of less than 28 consecutive days. To see the new system, you can click this link. Accordingly, short-term rental operators must register, online, with the City in order to […]
Tenants Ordered to Pay a Condo’s Compliance Legal Fees
As many of our readers know, under section 134 of the Condominium Act, when a condo corporation successfully brings a Court application to obtain compliance with its governing documents, it can also charge back to the unit its reasonable legal costs in doing so (provided that the corporation has obtained an order for damage or […]
This Week is the Deadline to Secure any Covid-Liens Stemming from a Default in April
As we all know, COVID-19 and its financial effects have been very tough on Ontarians across the province. Unfortunately, this may well have resulted in some owners missing common expense payments back in April (and perhaps since then). While not a pleasant task, condominiums must ensure that they take the proper steps to secure these […]
Court Suspends Unit Renovations in Urgent Hearing Amid Covid Crisis
Last week, Ontario reviewed and reduced its list of “essential services”. Doing so, it reviewed which business could remain open and which ones ought to be closed pursuant to the its Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. This was done to further minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Change to Management Amongst the many changes, […]
The Province wants YOU… to provide your thoughts on the Condo Act changes
As many of you Condo Geeks know, there are many planned changes to the Condominium Act that are not yet in effect. To see what these sections are, you can look at the Act here. Sections highlighted in grey are not yet in force. Several steps are required in order to implement more of these proposed changes, […]