Questions / Answers - Purchase condominium

I want to know how the condo fees (common expenses) appearing in the ads of real estate agencies are established. These are not constant and put a doubt in the minds of those who want to buy in condominiums. Question: Is there a uniform directive in real estate agencies in this area? What advice should a real estate broker give to his client when he assists him in completing the form of the declaration of seller ? Some vendors report all costs, others report only current expenses (e.g., maintenance, operation and administration expenses of common portions). These two ways of doing things can vary the amount of condo fees by 300%, which can represent significant amounts for a buyer.

Question: I want to sell my apartment. I am aware that I must provide a number of documents to the real estate broker who takes care of the sale, to the buyer in the making whose offer I will have accepted and to the  notary who is in charge of drafting the official documents of the sale. Specifically, whatare the documents to be communicated to the buyer of a co-ownership?

When selling an apartment, we, as directors, frequently have to fill out and provide documents to notaries and real estate brokers. Obviously, we understand that the objective is to inform the future co-owner on a number of points relating to our co-ownership. Questions:  We want to know: If we are entitled to charge a fee to take care of these files? If so, what is the amount considered reasonable?  Should we proceed by adding to the by-law of the building? If so, can we proceed by a majority vote or simply by decision of the Board of Directors?

Question: I plan to purchase the exclusive right of enjoyment of a parking space (common portions for restricted use) a few months after purchasing my apartement (parking is sold directly by the developer). Do I have to go to the notary to change my deed of purchase to indicate that parking is associated with my private portion ?

Question:  At the time of the purchase of my condo, do I have a right to ask the seller for a certified true copy (authentic copy) of the Declaration of Co-Ownership?

Question:  We have accumulated significant sums for the repair of the roof, which is to take place in ten years. As part of the sale of my apartment, can I ask the buyer or the syndicate for a refund of the contributions I have paid to the contingency fund?

  I plan to buy an on plan apartment. As I am intolerant to second-hand smoke from other units, acquiring a condo in a co-ownership in which my neighbors could be smokers is out of the question. Question: How can I get assurances from the developer, that smoking will be prohibited in the private portions of the building to be built?

I am the co-owner of a new condo. Other owners and I have recently discovered cracks in the foundation of the building, as well as water infiltration in the garage. The promoter is mute, and we have not yet transferred the administration. Question: Should we refuse to elect our first Board of Directors, until the issues identified have been corrected? And should I sell immediately before other major problems arise?

  We often hear the words "condo", "condo fees", "purchase and sale of a condo" and "Condolegal.com". Question:  What is the origin of the word “condo” and what does it really mean?

Question: I bought my condo 3 months ago and I just attended my first meeting of co-owners. I just learned, to my great surprise, that very important work must be undertaken on the masonry of the building. My seller never told me about this work, although it is obvious that he must have known about it since all the other co-owners present at the meeting seemed to be aware of it. Could I turn against my seller because they hid this work from me and had a duty to tell me?