Definition : Legal hypothec - Legal hypothec of construction

Certains copropriétaires expérimentent l'hypothèque légale de la construction. Elle signifie qu'après avoir acheté l'appartement convoité, ils devront assumer les honoraires des sous-traitants que le constructeur n'a pas payé.

23 septembre 2019 — Les avis d’hypothèque légale de la construction ont enregistré une hausse de 9 % en 2018. Cette augmentation serait surtout attribuable à une forte activité dans le secteur de la construction. Selon les données de la SCHL, il y avait 10 % plus de propriétés résidentielles en construction en 2018 qu’en 2017, et 33 % plus qu’en 2016.

You move into your new condo. A few weeks later, a bailiff knocks on your door and serves upon you a notice of preservation of a legal hypothec of construction. He also served all your neighbors. Reading this document, you learn that a dispute remains unresolved between the contractor and a supplier (or subcontractor), concerning work performed or materials furnished that have not been paid by the contractor. Often, these problems are resolved through the developer. But sometimes, a co-owners must institute legal proceedings for the cancelation of a legal hypothec from his title.  

The notary is a jurist with the task of public officer, who ascertains the free and informed consent of the parties. The notary also has the role of legal adviser. It therefore protects consent. The intervention of the notary is very important when purchasing an apartment in a divided co-ownership. A professional, he is a member of the “Chambre des notaires du Québec” (Québec Chamber of Notaries). In this capacity, the notary's mission  is to receive, on behalf of his clients, the acts to which the parties must or want to have given the character of authenticity (such as  a declaration of co-ownership). Even though it is preferable that he should get involved at the outset of a transaction, this legal adviser usually gets involved  after the signing of the offer to purchase or of the preliminary contract.  

When you buy in a newly built divided co-ownership, a portion of the fractions of the building (apartment, parking or storage space, etc.), or even all, can be the subject of a notice of legal hypothec of construction. The Civil Code of Quebec introduced this hypothec in order to protect the persons who participated in its construction or renovation (architect, engineer, supplier of materials, workman, contractor or subcontractor) so that they can be reimbursed for work and services carried out on an immovable. As a buyer, will you be required to pay the developer's debts if it defaults on its construction creditors? If so, will the amounts claimed be distributed among all co-owners? And what will happen if they refuse to pay?