Definition : Work - Work in the private portions

Pour un syndicat, réaliser des travaux dans les parties privatives de son immeuble requiert le suivi d'un protocole, avant de pouvoir y accéder. Mais en revanche, tout copropriétaire doit se montrer coopératif, advenant que des travaux doivent être réalisés dans son condo, afin de préserver l'intégrité et la pérennité du bâtiment.

Les travaux à faire dans une copropriété doivent être décidé par le CA, ou par l'assemblée des copropriétaires, en fonction de leur nature. Ne pas suivre cette règle pourrait entraîner des conséquences extrêmement fâcheuses.

Les travaux à faire dans une copropriété peuvent être décidé par le conseil d'administration, alors que d'autres nécessitent un vote par l'assemblée des copropriétaires.

Article 7 of the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms guarantees the inviolability of the dwelling. In principle, no one can have access to the apartment of a co-owner without his consent. However, it was rightly held that this rule was not absolute. This is why most declarations of co-ownership provide that a co-owners, tenants or any other occupant of the immovable must leave, at all times, a duplicate of the keys to the board of directors or the person mandated to keep the keys. In the event of emergency work (for example during water damage), the co-owners are required to leave free access to their private portions to a representative of the syndicate. It should be noted that the Civil Code of Québec governs, in harmony with the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and the general principles of law, persons, relations between persons, as well as property.

In principle, the work undertaken by the syndicate should not cause harm to a co-owner. If he suffers a prejudice beyond a mere temporary nuisance, he is then be entitled to an indemnity. Article 1067 of the Civil Code of Quebec states that a co-owner may be indemnified by the syndicate, if the work was carried out at the request of the latter. This article lists the grounds for indemnification, namely the permanent diminution in the value of his fraction, a grave disturbance to enjoyment, even if temporary, or through deterioration to the private portion.

  The syndicate’s right of access to a private portion must be exercised reasonably. Work to be undertaken by the latter, even when justified, requires that the occupants of the apartment be notified before the work starts. Thus, it will be necessary to warn them in advance so that they can prepare. In all cases, the syndicate will generally have to respect delays that may differ depending on whether the occupant is a co-owner or a tenant  

The syndicate has the legal obligation to safeguard the immovable, concerning work in common and private portions. Such work includes minor or major repairs, and urgent interventions, when the conservation of the built-up patrimony is affected by a fortuitous event. In such occurrences, article 1066 of the Civil Code of Québec provides that no co-owner may interfere with carrying out, even inside his private portion work required for the preservation and which is necessary to maintain the immovable in a good state of repairs.  

The directors  of a co-ownership could, eventually, be called upon to enter the private portion of a co-owner. Article 1066 of the Civil Code of Québec obliges the co-owner, as well as his tenant or another occupant, to undergo work within his unit. This also includes justified pre-inspections for the conservation of the building and the safety of the occupants. Any co-owner will have to cooperate in such a situation. Although he as the complete use and enjoyment of his private portion, and no one can infringe upon his fundamental right, he must nevertheless allow access in certain circumstances. More particularly when the syndicate needs to carry out urgent or preservation work to ensure the conservation of the immovable.

In your eagerness to finalize your offer to purchase, you may forget to ask the co-owner-seller if, over time, work has been carried out in the apartment. Yet, this question is of the utmost importance as it will allow you to ensure, as the case may be, that it has been executed correctly and legally. Also, it is required to refer to the declaration of co-ownership to know the rules that apply in this matter. Remember that when the work touches the common portions, it requires authorization. And sometimes even in a private portion, the declaration of co-ownership can impose constraints.

Le syndicat, dans le cadre de ses missions, doit autoriser, le cas échéant, tous travaux entrepris par des copropriétaires, que ce soient dans les parties privatives ou les parties communes à usage restreint. Les copropriétaires ne doivent pas oublier qu'en copropriété, certaines règles s'appliquent.

Bonjour, je souhaite remplacer le tapis de mon appartement pour faire poser un plancher de bois franc couleur hêtre. Un des administrateurs m'a dit qu'il fallait que j'obtienne l'autorisation du conseil d'administration et qu'il me ferait tout enlever et remettre à l'ancienne si jamais j'osais outrepasser leur refus potentiel. Pourtant c'est ma partie privative. Pourquoi le syndicat devrait donner son accord pour le changement du revêtement du sol de mon condo?