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The Regulation respecting the guarantee plan for new residential buildings regulates the liability of the contractor (developer) for any problem related to the quality of the construction work. In this regard, this regulation has provided for a specific protection regime for divided co-ownership. Whether it is a private or common portion, a co-owner or the syndicate of co-ownership is entitled to ask the contractor or the administrator of the guarantee plan, namely the Residential Construction Guarantee (GCR), to carry out this work, at any time during the term of the protections.
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In 1999, the Government of Quebec introduced a Regulation respecting the guarantee plan for new residential buildings to protect the owners of new homes and certain condominiums. This regulation, prepared in the wake of the government guidelines proposed at the Summit on the Construction Industry in Quebec in the fall of 1993, was intended to respond to consumers' concerns about the too often dubious quality of construction in the residential sector and the many frustrations they experienced while trying to assert their rights. The implementation of this regulation is the responsibility of the the “Régie du Bâtiment du Québec” (Quebec Construction Board (QCB)). Its mandatory nature distinguishes it from optional guarantee plan offered on the market.
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.
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The civil liability of a director for the tasks incumbent upon him is largely unrecognised. It should be noted that failure to act with prudence, diligence, honesty and loyalty in the performance of his duties may engage his personal liability. A director must always keep in mind the interest of the co-owners' community. Thousands of Quebecers who sit on an annual basis on a Board of Directors, such as yourself perhaps, are unaware of this reality.
Question: I would like to know if it is still legal to rent a condo? Can the syndicate of co-owners, at its sole discretion, prevent such a thing? What are my rights?
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Harassment in co-ownership can take many forms and develop in a wide variety of contexts. When occupants of a building with very different temperaments share a place to live, it happens that the spirits heat up to the point of making cohabitation impossible. A co-owner who infringes on his neighbor's privacy and interferes in his privacy can be particularly irritating and even embarrassing. If he comes to photograph him when he walks through the common portions, monitors all his comings and goings or installs a surveillance camera in the corridor pointing towards his front door, then there is an illegitimate invasion of his privacy. Such serious conduct can be considered psychological harassment, in that it seriously harms the person who is the victim.
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A syndicate of co-owners has the obligation to account for its operations by funds. The Civil Code of Québec requires the creation of a general fund, a contingency fund and in April 2022, the creation of the self-insurance fund. The creation of the early self-insurance fund is recommended. The general fund for current operations is also sometimes referred to as an administration fund or an administration fund.
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August 21, 2021 - As of September 1, the vaccination passport will apply to certain activities deemed non-essential throughout Quebec. Bars, restaurants and gyms will be particularly affected by this measure. However, many wonder about such a mesure with regard to meetings of co-owners and meetings of the board of directors held face-to-face.
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August 8, 2021 — As part of its Continuing Education Program, the Organisme d'autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec(OACIQ) offers real estate brokers comprehensive training to enable them to acquire or develop knowledge in the field of co-ownership. This training is the result of a partnership with the lawyer emeritus Yves Joli-Coeur of the law firm and notaries of Therrien Couture Joli-Coeur. A pioneer lawyer in the field of divided co-ownership in Quebec, Me Joli-Coeur has set up the Regroupement des gestionnaires et copropriétaires du Québec (RGCQ), of which he is the founder and secretary general. In 2009, he received the honorary distinction of Lawyer Emeritus (Ad. E.) for having been one of the lawyers who contributed the most to the reflection in the field of co-ownership law in Quebec.
Question: The syndicate's board of directors made the decision to cut down a tree at the entrance of the property. It was a very old apple tree. It was unpleasant for many people to know that we were constantly walking in the debris of cheekbones that fell on the ground, on the sidewalk or in the parking lot. Finally these apples ended up making a fermentation (very unpleasant smell). Now a co-owner is reproaching for not having voted on this decision at the meeting of co-owners. Is he right?
July 27th 2021 - Divided co‑ownership is a housing type that has become popular in Quebec in recent years. If you’re thinking about buying a new condo—undoubtedly a significant milestone in your life—you’ll find helpful tips in this article on choosing the right contractor.
July 13th 2021 - As of January 1, 2015, Garantie de construction résidentielle (GCR) is the only organization authorized by the Quebec government to administer the mandatory guarantee plan for new dwellings. Our mission is to protect buyers and improve the quality of residential construction. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about the mandatory guarantee plan when it comes to divided co-ownership.
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Our declaration of co-ownership provides that the gardens are common portions for restricted use, like the balconies. One of the co-owners, having the exclusive use of a garden, has taken the initiative over the years to make improvements (e.g.: addition of flowerbeds, removal of certain parts of the turf, addition of cedars or other elements, etc.), and this without the prior authorization of the syndicate. However, the board of directors at the time did not object to such work.
For the respect and tranquility of all the occupants of our building, we wish to ban dogs.
Although the law (1064.1 of the Civil Code of Quebec) and our declaration of co-ownership are explicit, there are still some co-owners who refuse to provide the board of directors with proof of insurance.
In the event of a claim, the insured, whether a co-owner or a syndicate of co-owners, must declare its occurrence to his insurer. The latter will generally appoint a claims adjuster who will guide him through the steps of the claim. The claims adjuster may also be mandated by syndicates of co-owners. This reality is even more true because of the importance of the insurance deductibles, sometimes unreasonable, that they have to bear, leaving them with all the responsibility of managing the loss. Investigating the circumstances of a disaster, assessing the damage caused by a claim and negotiating a settlement are the three key functions of this certified professional.