All the FAQ Condolegal

As directors, we frequently have to complete and provide documents to notaries and real estate brokers. Questions:  We want to know: If we are entitled to charge a fee to take care of these files? If so, what is the amount considered reasonable?  Should we proceed by adding to the by-law of the building? If so, can we proceed by a majority vote or simply by decision of the Board of Directors?

  The windows of our unit are at the end of their lives, according to a specialist who changed the thermos of a window that don't 2 windows have already cracked. Despite my express request to the syndicate to change our windows, he prefers to wait a few years to change all the windows. We have been losing the enjoyment of one of our main windows for 2 years. Its opening is a danger, because it is too heavy, weighs on the closing mechanism, and I am afraid that it falls from the 4th floor, or that the thermos breaks again. Question:  What do you think are our remedies?

The meeting of the co-owners was registered with the permission of the co-owners. Questions: As a co-owner, do I have the right to get a copy of the registration? Could the syndicate refuse me that? If so, why?

  For several years, one or more wasp nests have been housed in the façade of our building. Two co-owners use cheap products to eliminate them, with no conclusive long-term results. I want to hire a professional exterminator to eradicate the problem. Question:  Who is responsible for removing wasp nests if only one co-owner is inconvenienced?    

Our Board of Directors considers entrusting part of the administrative management of the syndicate to an external manager. In order to reduce the risk of fraud, a criminal history certificate is included in our selection criteria. Also, proof of liability insurance from the manager is verified so that it is sufficient in the event of errors or omissions on his part. Another selection criterion is a manager who is a member of the Ordre des administrateurs agréés (ADMA). Question: Should directors only appoint a condominium manager with no criminal record and membership in ADMA?

Question: I plan to purchase the exclusive right of enjoyment of a parking space (common portions for restricted use) a few months after purchasing my apartement (parking is sold directly by the developer). Do I have to go to the notary to change my deed of purchase to indicate that parking is associated with my private portion ?

We are concerned about the comings and goings of strangers in our building. This concern is all the more justified by the fact that some of our co-owners rent without right, for short periods, to travelers (Airbnb-type rental). Question: Can the Board of Directors ask to see a tenant's id in order to certify that he is who he claims to be?

Question: Are the co-owners of a vertical co-ownership considered undivided in the horizontal condominium? And if so, what would be the impact on representativeness at the general meeting of the horizontal condominium (AGM)?  For example, could a few co-owners of a vertical condominium act for all the co-owners without having previously held proxies as for the undivided co-owners of a condo during the vertical condominium AGM?

At our last annual co-owner's meeting, the board of directors informed us that it was going to take $10,000 from our contingency fund to set up a self-insurance fund. To justify their decision, the directors said that this will allow to avoid putting up a special assessment. Several co-owners seemed to agree. Question: Can the board unilaterally decide to use part of the sums accumulated in the contingency fund to set up a self-insurance fund without consulting or obtaining the approval of the co-owners? And if so is this a good way to manage the funds of our co-ownership?

Question: Our co-ownership has 6 apartments. I am on the board of directors, which is made up of three directors. Having been unable to attend a board meeting, I gave a power of attorney to my neighbour. The two members of the Board of Directors denied this person the right to participate in the meeting. Is it legal?