Rod Escayola
Condo liens, oppression, insurance deductible and other firefighting lessons
Sadly, this case started with eggs being inadvertently forgotten on a stove and ended with an owner losing his home when he refused to pay the deductible amount being charged back to his unit. In this blog, we discuss the validity of condo liens and the deference that will be granted to condo corporations who […]
Webinar: Back to [Condo] School ! (Wed. Sept. 6)
With September at our doors, we are launching our webinar season! As we have over the last 3 years, we will aim for 5 pm on the first Wednesday of each month. As always, we’ll do our best to keep them useful, relevant and fun! We are launching our season with our “Back to [Condo] […]
Can condos prohibit owners from displaying the Canadian Flag?
With Canada Day only two weeks away, Canadian flags will start popping up everywhere, including in Condo Land. Inevitably, this will lead to a yearly question: Can condos prohibit owners from displaying their maple leaf pride? We tackle this question in this post. The first raising of our flag On February 15, 1965, our brand […]
Webinar: Condo Low Law Palooza with condo lawyer friends (June 21 at 5pm)
For our final episode of the season (!), we’ve invited some of our condo lawyer friends from across the province to join us in our annual Condo Low Law Palooza! The best legal minds in the industry will present their favourite recent legal case. Check out our speaker line up below! You don’t want to […]
Vitual AGMs and Electronic voting are here to stay!
The “Less Red Tape, Stronger Economy Act” (Bill 91) received royal assent yesterday, which will amend the Condo Act to: permit condos to hold virtual or hybrid meetings; permit voting to be done electronically; and, facilitate how notices and other documents are sent to owners. The above will be allowed without the requirement of passing […]
Can I BBQ on my Condo Balcony?
It’s BBQ season! With it, comes questions pertaining to BBQ safety and neighbourly etiquette. This is particularly true in condo living and even more so when one lives in a mid to high-rise complex, where occupants have the exclusive use of a balcony. A recurring question is whether BBQs are allowed on condo terraces and balconies. […]
Owner exempt from special assessment due to deficient Status Certificate
In one of our recent cases, a judge ruled that the issuance of a deficient status certificate was oppressive and that the condo owner was exempt from having to pay their prorated share of a special assessment. This case contains important lessons for all corporations and managers who issue a status certificate. Facts of this […]
Webinar: When, why and how to change condo manager (Wed. May 10 at 5pm)
A good condo manager is essential to the smooth operations of your condo. Through thick and thin, your manager is your most trusted ally and, in many cases, your first responder. For this reason, it is essential to build a trusting and respectful, long-term relationship with them. Still, sometimes, the “fit” is lost and management […]
Changes to how the Condo Act will deal with owners’ email addresses
On April 3, Ontario introduced proposed amendments to the Condo Act to enhance flexibility for condo corporations wishing to implement certain virtual and electronic processes. We already blogged about this. In this context, the province is seeking your input on proposed changes to the Condo Act‘s general regulation and specifically on how to treat owners’ email […]
Change to the Condo Act: Are virtual meetings and electronic voting (finally) here to stay?
Ontario is introducing changes to the Condo Act to provide condo corporations more flexibility to implement virtual meetings and electronic voting. These changes are being presented pursuant to Bill 91, named “Less Red Tape, Stronger Economy Act, 2023”. You can review the bill here. Summary of changes If passed, this legislation will: enable condos to hold […]