Definition : Notary - Acting notary

L'Association professionnelle des courtiers immobiliers du Québec publiait en octobre 2021 des données indiquant une hausse significative du nombre de ventes de copropriétés (+ 13%) ainsi que du prix médian (+ 21%) par rapport à 2020 dans la province de Québec. Cette frénésie immobilière apportait ainsi son lot de défis pour les potentiels acheteurs de condo. Selon l’avocat émérite Yves Joli-Cœur, : « De tous les achats qu’on peut faire en immobilier, le condo est celui qui comporte le plus de risques. Il faut donc voir le processus d’acquisition comme de la gestion de risques ». Également, L’intervention du notaire est très importante pendant l’achat d’un appartement en copropriété divise, car la préparation de l’acte de vente destiné à une copropriété divise est très complexe. Alors, quels sont les judicieux conseils à savoir afin d’acquérir un condo sans embûches ?

The interpretation of a declaration of co-ownership during a general meeting of the co-owners is sometimes problematic. If, moreover, it has been published before the coming into force of the Civil Code of Québec, in 1994, things can get dicey. In order to avoid potential conflicts between co-owners, caused by  an outdated declaration of co-ownership, it is essential to have it rewritten, if it has been published before January 1, 1994. A professional with experience in co-ownership law is qualified to do so. It is better to invest in rewriting your declaration of co-ownership, rather than getting tangled in costly litigation, the result of which is sometime uncertain.

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.