Latest news on Condolegal

March 20, 2020 – Condo managers are very busy these days because of the coronavirus (COVID-19). And for good reason, since several syndicates of co-owners have seniors in their buildings, but also occupants who are hostile to containment measures. "Last weekend, a Montreal co-owner threw a tantrum because the building manager closed the pool. This co-owner was so upset that he requested his dismissal," revealed Lawyer Emeritus and Secretary General of the RGCQ, Yves Joli-Coeur, in an interview with Radio-Canada yesterday.  

March 15, 2020 - A recent online survey posted on Condolegal.com about the coronavirus (COVID-19) reveals that several Quebec condominiums have not taken any measures to prevent its spread. According to responses, up to now, approximately 80% of respondents confirm this reality. It would be wise for condominium directors to take certain actions to counter the virus, such as clean door handles regularly in common areas, as well as elevator buttons.  

January 11, 2019 - Bill 16 was officially adopted on January 10, 2020. Several of the measures it contains have come into force, but others will come into force at a later date, such as the mandatory introduction of a contingency fund survey and a maintenance logbook.

January 2, 2020 - Just 10 years ago, Quebec co-ownerships could count on 11 insurers. Since then, there are only 6. Of these, only two or three cover buildings worth between 20 and 50 million dollars.  

December 10, 2019 — A news item posted on Condolegal.com last June summarized a judgment rendered by the Ontario Superior Court. This decision concerned the installation of surveillance cameras in the common portions of 11 condominiums. Several of the buildings in question housed cameras hidden in the ceilings of the corridors. Police officers had access to these corridors, in particular, as well as to underground parking lots, because of permission granted by the syndicates of co-owners concerned. The objective: to investigate 14 people suspected of being associated with organized crime groups. The Ontario Superior Court had ruled that a condominium corporation had "full authority" to determine security issues in the common areas of its building, and that if necessary, it could have surveillance cameras installed.

November 25, 2019 - The problems associated with the use of medical marijuana (in co-ownerships) remain unresolved, as individual and collective rights often clash on this issue. As Yves Joli-Coeur, lawyer emeritus and Secretary General of the RGCQ, reported to RDI (this morning), judgments in this matter are made on a "case-by-case" basis.  

November 22, 2019 - A major real estate developer is experiencing financial difficulties these days, therefore many of his co-ownership projects may remain unfinished, and also be burdened by legal hypothecs of construction. In addition, deposits paid by buyers may be lost if they have not yet been paid to the notary.  

September 27, 2019 - The professionalization of condo managers, as well as the best practices to be deployed within this housing model, have been at the heart of debates for several years now in several French-speaking territories around the world. Whether in Quebec or in Europe, a number of players working in this field are meeting to discuss it.  

August 6, 2019 - Several clarifications are requested with respect to the draft regulation on co-ownership insurance. Tabled on July 17, its content raises questions expressed by the Damage Insurance Chamber (Chambre de l'assurance de dommages (ChAD)), the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) and the Québec Co-owners and Manager Association (Regroupement des gestionnaires et copropriétaires du Québec (RGCQ)).  

September 4, 2019 - Yves Joli-Coeur, lawyer emeritus and Secretary General of the RGCQ, gave two interviews yesterday on both the radio and television channels of Radio-Canada. The subject on the agenda was Bill 16, which aims to reform co-ownership law in Quebec.