Definition : Lessee (Tenant)

In a co-ownership, some dwellings may be inhabited by the co-owners and others by tenants through a lease contract. Buying to rent is a trend that has emerged for several years in large urban centers as well as resort centers. It is therefore very common for tenants to seek contact with the board of directors or the condo manager (to request the repair of broken equipment, such as the elevator, for example). In the same way, the board of directors or condo manager may wish to communicate with a tenant (if he does not respect the declaration of co-ownership, for example). The rental of a fraction by a co-owner thus implies a tripartite relationship between the syndicate, the landlord and the tenant. But what are the rules?

The conversion of an immovable into divided co-ownership has certain undeniable advantages, including that of being able to obtain a mortgage loan from the financial institution of one's choice, while in joint ownership, all owners must finance themselves with the same institution. In addition, the minimum down payment in undivided co-ownership required is 20% of the purchase price of the apartment, and not 5%, as is the case in divided co-ownership, since mortgage insurers do not provide insurance for such loans. It is in this specific context that many owners wish to convert their building into divided co-ownership.

Je suis propriétaire locateur d'unités de condo. Le syndicat de la copropriété a voté récemment un règlement pour facturer au propriétaire des frais lorsqu'un locataire emménage ou déménage. Bien que ces frais soient élevés, est-ce qu'un recours pourrait être possible si toutefois ces frais augmentaient au point d'être abusif (disons 10 000$) ? Question : Qui peut juger du caractère abusif ou pas d'un tel règlement adopté par l'assemblée générale annuelle? Est-ce qu'un recours pourrait être possible? Si oui basé sur quelle loi? Même situation pour les petits animaux qui sont permis pour les propriétaires mais pas pour les locataires. Question : Peut-on restreindre ce droit à un locataire?  

A trend towards the rental of units held in divided co-ownership has manifested itself in recent years in large urban centres as well as resort centres. Although renting a property is a recognized right for a co-owner, he must know the rules applicable in this matter. The law and the declaration of co-ownership list the obligations to which tenants and co-owners-lessors commit themselves when they sign a lease, such as compliance with the by-laws of the immovable. Some of these obligations can cause the resiliation of the lease if they are not respected !

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 identity card in order to certify that he is who he claims to be?

Comment gérer le locataires d'une copropriété? Quels sont les devoirs d'un copropriétaire bailleur? Est-ce que les administrateurs peuvent intervenir, afin de rappeler à l'ordre des locataires qui ne respectent pas le règlement de l'immeuble? Cette webradio répond à toutes ces questions, et à bien d'autres.

Un nouveau règlement entré en vigueur le 1er mai 2020 fait en sorte que dorénavant, si la déclaration de copropriété est muette à propos de la location de type hôtelière (par exemple Airbnb), un copropriétaire devra demander la permission au conseil d'administration, s'il veut s'adonner à cette activité dans son appartement.

The declaration of co-ownership is a contract that orchestrates and regulates the lives of co-owners, lessees and other occupants of the immovable. It represents the guideline for everyone who lives in the immovable.The declaration of co-ownership provides, systematically, that it is up to the board of directors to have its content abided to. However, it happens that people break the rules, in particular by a non-compliant use of a private portion with regard to the destination of the immovable, a noise nuisance and work carried out in violation of the by the laws of the immovable. Other examples illustrate the problems that can occur in the co-ownership, such as an encroachment on a common portion or the improper installation of a floor covering. Anyone who does not abide to the declaration of co-ownership is liable, inter alia, to a legal recourse based on article 1080 of the Civil Code of Quebec . This action may be brought by a co-owner or the syndicate.

Contrary to other jurisdiction, Québec Law does not compel a lessee to subscribe “home insurance” which, in the event of a loss, covers his property and his civil liability. This “negative-obligation” becomes a problem if your lessee causes damages to a third party and he is not insured. In such cases, the declaration of co-ownership can hold you (the co-owner) solidarily liable for the damages he has caused.   Civil liability Your lessee is liable for any damages he causes during the term of the rental. Civil liability insurance covers him against material damages or bodily harm he may inflict (unintentionally) to third parties, and against faults committed by persons he accommodates or lodges in his dwelling. This insurance also covers damages that his property may cause to third parties. For example, it will cover water damage to your apartment generated by an overflowing washing machine, and also in a neighbor’s apartment. 

Over time, there is several maintenance or improvement work that require the Syndicate to access Private Portions, and even sometimes, work to be executed inside Private Portions. In order that such crucial work for the Syndicate of co-owners not be obstructed, Article 1066 of the Civil Code of Québec provides that no co-owner may interfere with the carrying-out, even inside its private portion, of work required for the preservation of the immovable, decided upon by the Syndicate or urgent work. This obligation to allow said work is opposable not only to co-owners but also to occupants and tenants.

The law provides that the syndicate must keep a register available to the co-owners. Article 342 of the Civil Code of Quebec specifies that the board of directors shall keep the list of members, as well as the books and registers necessary for the proper functioning of the legal person.  This register represents the memory of the building for those who administer it. It constitutes the history of the experience of the condominium from its conception, and this by specifying its maintenance and the work undertaken, while listing the contractors and suppliers who intervened. In this sense, it is invaluable. The syndicate must preserve for organizational and management purposes, or for legal protection and evidence purposes, all documents and information relating to the operation of the co-ownership. That is why "preservation", "access" and "archives" are the hallmarks of this register.

  January 14, 2019 - Quebec case law was further enhanced by a recent decision concerning co-ownership noise. The judgment, which deals with sensitive neighborhood annoyances issues was rendered by Honorable Luc Huppé, Court of Quebec Judge, sitting in the Small Claims Division. This case established that a co-owners-lessor can be held responsible for neighborhood annoyances caused by their lessee. And that if they do not address the problem, they could be sued for damages and ordered to pay substantial amounts.

A co-owner has repeatedly caused several water damages  in our building, due to his negligence. This resulted in a surcharge for the syndicate's insurance.   Question:  Can the board of directors claim the full amount from the co-owner who caused the loss?

The members of the board of directors play a key role in the co-ownership: they must be involved in the life of the building to ensure the proper management of the co-ownership and the well-being of the co-owners. Usually appointed by the Meeting of the co-owners, the director is a member of the Board of Directors of the syndicate. Its duties are to make decisions on the directions and priorities of the Syndicate. Such Decisions are without limitation for the purpose of the preservation of the immovable and also the management and maintenance of common portions. People who are thinking of becoming a director of a syndicate of co-owners have or should ask themselves certain questions before submitting their candidacy for this office. Do I have the required qualities and skills?

The declaration of co-ownership defines the modalities of living together. It is binding on the co-owners and, in principle, the occupants and tenants of the building. It is up to the Board of Directors as soon as it becomes aware of it, to enforce its content, and, if necessary, to give formal notice to the co-owner at fault to cease any violation of the declaration of co-ownership. Failure to do so may, the members of the Board may, in some cases, be held liable toward the co-owners. Anyone who does not comply with it is liable to legal proceeding based in particular on article 1080 of the Civil Code of Quebec. This action may be brought by both a co-owner and the syndicate.  

A co-owner may be at home in his apartment, but the use he makes of it must comply with what is prescribed in the declaration of co-ownership. However, short-term rentals such as Airbnb's are sometimes prohibited if the declaration of co-ownership expressly indicates it or if the destination of the building is exclusively residential. This document may contain provisions prohibiting non-residential activities in the immovable. In order to ensure the well-being of the people who live there, it may be necessary for the syndicate to impose sanctions on co-owners or tenants who violate the by-laws of the immovable. He may even have, on certain occasions, to resort to the court to assert the rights of all the co-owners.

One of the essential moments of the co-ownership is undoubtedly that of the meeting of the co-owners. It is during this meeting that major decisions of the co-ownership are voted, such as the realization of certain works, the sale of a common portion and the modification of the declaration of co-ownership. The co-owners will also be able to debate and reflect on the orientations to be given to their co-ownership.  

The purchase of a condo leased to a third party is a frequent occurrence in the resale market. Save for an agreement to the contrary, nothing prohibits a co-owner lessor from selling and a purchaser of purchasing an apartment even though the tenant wishes to continue to reside in it. The lease is attached to the immovable, not to the co-owner/ lessor. The lease will continue to be in force even if the unit is sold and the terms and conditions of the lease shall remain the same. Be careful, however, there are some pitfalls and if you are not careful your investment could quickly prove unsuccessful. This is the reason why you need to follow a few steps before, especially if you are a real estate owner for the first time.

A co-owner may be liable to the syndicate, the other co-owners and the occupants of the immovable. As stated in Article 1457 of the Civil Code of Québec, every person has a duty not to harm others. As a co-owner, you must be careful and abide to the appropriate rules of conduct in accordance with the context and circumstances. Otherwise, you engage your civil liability and are required to remedy (financially third parties for moral or property damage and  personal injury.Therefore, co-owners must take out civil liability insurance covering in particular claims arising from their private portion.    

Je suis copropriétaire-locateur et je loue mon unité de condo à un couple depuis 1 an. Ils ne m'ont pas payé les deux derniers loyers. Que dois-je faire : envoyer une mise en demeure, appeler un avocat? Quelle instance est compétente pour entendre les litiges entre copropriétaire et locataire?