Definition : Professional - Professionnal Order

October 3, 2021 - When it comes to determining the insurance premium based on the insurance value of a building (for insurance purposes), the broker or insurer will require his client to provide the cost of "reconstruction". Indeed, this premium is established according to the risks which are attributable to the building and the premises, but also according to the cost of reconstruction. We obviously understand that after a disaster we have to rebuild the damaged places, but the concept goes far beyond reconstruction. Indeed, the cost of reconstruction is impacted by contingencies and difficulties in restoring the inventory to its original condition. Think for example of the work involved in replacing a broken ceramic tile, on the wall or the floor, it goes without saying that this also involves the replacement of other tiles around, damaged by the work.  

Until December 31, 2014, the mandatory warranty plan was administered by various organizations associated with the builders' associations, namely The APCHQ's New Home Warranty, The Abritât Guarantee Inc. and Qualité Habitation. In order to eliminate any appearance of conflict of interest, the Regulation respecting the guarantee plan for new residential buildings has been amended. Thus, the government constituted a regulatory framework allowing the creation of a new single joint body in this area, which would be made up, in part, of as many consumer representatives as manufacturers.  

Distinguishing between the function of the Co-ownership manager (gérant) and the Condo manager (gestionnaire) is not an easy task. Most participants who work in the field of co-ownership are struggling with this issue. In fact, the general perception of the similarity of their incumbent duties is wrong, as there are several differences between these two functions. The Co-ownership manager has decision-making powers regarding the management of the co-ownership. On the other hand the Condo manager acts as an advisor and is the one who implements the decisions made by the board of directors. This does not preclude him from making recommendations before these decisions are implemented. A discussion on two similar but not identical functions whose attributes, powers and duties are to be distinguished in many ways.

The condo manager’s tasks are numerous. Therefore, his civil liability could be engaged. As a mandatary of the Syndicate of co-owners, the condo manager is required to fulfill the terms of his mandate. He is thus liable for damages that may result from the non-performance or improper execution of his mandate. This means that he incurs liability in two ways, in contractual civil liability towards the one who mandated him, namely the Syndicate of co-owners and in extracontractual civil liability towards a co-owner or a third party who would suffer damage as a result of a fault. It is therefore imperative that he takes out civil liability insurance for the duration of his service contract.