Definition : Notice of assessment

La webradio du mercredi 29 mars 2023 a porté sur le mode de répartition des charges communes entre les copropriétaires. La copropriété donne lieu à des dépenses relatives à l’entretien des parties communes et l’administration courante du syndicat. Les coûts d'administration, d'entretien, de remplacement, d'amélioration ou de transformation des parties communes constituent des charges qui sont réparties entre les copropriétaires d'un immeuble. Ce sujet semble simple, mais il peut devenir un casse-tête pour les petites copropriétés ou les grandes qui ont à gérer les clés de répartition de charges. Les administrateurs ne savent pas toujours bien comprendre le libellé de la déclaration en ce qui a trait aux parties communes à usage restreint, par exemple une terrasse, un stationnement ou un casier de rangement. Or, comment s’assurer que chacun paye sa juste part? Les invités étaient Me Charlotte Fortier, avocate en droit de la copropriété au sein du cabinet d'avocats Therrien Couture Joli-Coeur, monsieur Jasmin Patenaude, CPA, associé du cabinet Désormeaux Patenaude inc et monsieur Luc Poulin, administrateur. Cette webradio était animée par madame Valéry Couture, gestionnaire de copropriété de Condo stratégis. Pour visionner la webradio, cliquez sur le lien ci-dessous :

The syndicate of co-owners must, to meet the expenses arising from the co-ownership and the operation of the immovable, collect from its members the necessary sums. It is therefore essential that the co-owners meet their financial obligations on an ad hoc basis. However, the failure to pay general or special  common expenses (condo fees) is one of the most contentious co-ownership’s issues. The role of the board of directors in this matter is paramount, it is up to it to collect the debts of the syndicate. Unless this task is delegated to the condo manager. The syndicate must therefore take the necessary steps to collect the unpaid sums.  A review of the options in such cases.

Preparing a forecast annual budget is an unavoidable task in co ownership. Its preparation, preliminary examination and adoption will ensure the proper functioning of the syndicate of co-owners. It is up to the Board of Directors to define its terms, in view of the expenses that will have to be paid to allow a syndicate to meet its obligations. The budget also makes it possible to fix the amount of the contributions of each co-owner to the expenses of the co-ownership. It will be prepared by the Board of Directors or property manager, based on the amounts spent in preceding financial periods, as well as anticipated non-recurring expenses. The preparation of the budget forecast requires time and rigor.

The co-ownership gives rise to expenses relating to the maintenance of the common portions and the day-to-day administration of the syndicate. Administrative, maintenance, replacement, improvement or alteration expenses of the common portions are divided among the co-owners. General common expenses are to be distinguished from particular common expenses, which are allocated under different rules. In the first case, it is the relative value of each fraction that is used to establish the co-owners contribution. As for particular common expenses arising from common portions for restricted use, the co-owners using them are alone responsible of the expenses resulting therefrom.

It is to the board of directors as a whole, as a decision-making body, that the Civil code of Quebec confers the power to administer the affairs of the syndicate. Individual directors do not have any powers unless they have been specially authorized to do so. All decisions concerning the syndicate, the co-ownership or the immovable which is not under the jurisdiction of the meeting of co-owners, are the competence of the board of directors. Its main role is to ensure the preservation of the immovable. As a general rule, it is the decision-making body that ensures the maintenance of its common portions. If necessary, it must undertake the necessary work to ensure its sustainability.

Managing a co-ownership requires accounting and financial skills. If the manager masters them, he will be able, under the supervision of the board of directors, to play a crucial role in the proper operation of the immovable. For instance, he will know how to balance budgets and manage efficiently the funds of the co-ownership such as monitoring contracts with various service providers, the payroll (salary of the janitor) and the work to be done in the short, medium and long term. A review of the various financial tasks that could be entrusted to the co-ownership manager.  

Three months ago, we were called to the annual general meeting of co-owners during which co-owners were consulted on the budget forecast. However since the AGM, we have not received a notice from the Board detailing the amount of our contribution to our co-ownership’s operating budget. Questions: Isn’t the syndicate required to send a notice of assessment for common expenses? If so, what should it provide?