Questions / Answers - legal aspects for condominiums

A co-owner has placed a satellite dish on his balcony, while the declaration of co-ownership prohibits it. Question: What should the board do in this situation?

I live on the 5th floor of an 8-storey building. The co-owner on the 7th storey uses his balcony to let the dog urinate and defecate. Unfortunately, the urine and droppings fall back on our balconies. The situation has been going on for almost two years. We sent him e-mails, but they didn’t solve anything. The syndicate has been aware of this situation for a year and a half but nothing is happening. The last few weeks the situation has worsened, because we receive several times a day drops of urine and it stains the windows and the smell is always present. I have to remove my plants and herbs from the edge of the balcony. This week I made a complaint to the City, which should send the co-owner a letter. Question: If the situation persists, I would like to know what are my rights?

  I live in a co-ownership where there are a few smokers, one of which is located directly below me. His smoke migrates into my apartment. I am worried of its effects on my health in the medium and long terms, as well as that of my spouse and those of my two children. Question: Can our syndicate compel these smokers to install an air freshener in their apartment?

I am president of the Board of Directors of a co-ownership. A co-owner informed me recently that he is bothered by the secondhand smoke of a smoker who lives in the apartment below. Cigarette fumes are persistent in the complainant's unit, even when operating the air exchanger. There is also smoke present in the corridors of the building. Question: Can we ban the use of tobacco in the private portions of our building?

  I have been living for a year in a condo I bought in a recently built building. To my surprise, there is still no contingency fund being funded. We pay the common expenses of the immovable monthly (maintenance, snow removal, condo insurance), but no 5% of the budget contribution to "Contingency fund". Yet, a lawyer friend told me it was mandatory! Question: Is this normal?

The co-owner of the apartment below ours uses the barbecue on his balcony almost daily. The smoke and smell of grilled meat are so strong that I no longer wish to use my balcony. These fumes force me to keep my patio door and my windows closed. Question: Are there legal provisions to assert my rights?

  I am constantly disturbed by noise in my condo, because its soundproofing is deficient. The co-owners living upstairs aggravate me, because of constant barking and loud music. My next door neighbour has the same problem with her neighbors above, who have recently installed hardwood floors! Question: What are our recourses to remedy this problem?  

  Having reached 70 and a half years old, can I get a tax credit for home care support services I receive in my condo ?