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23 Articles

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Contingency fund study: should it be updated ?

Seven years ago, the board of directors engaged professionals to conduct a contingency fund study. Upon reviewing it, the directors at the time deemed the financial contributions required from the co-owners to the contingency fund too costly. Recently, a sale of an apartment in our building failed because the buyer was informed that the common charges had not been significantly increased. We aim to bring order to our co-ownership by adhering to the recommendations of the…...

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Board of directors: can it prohibit the installation of hardwood floors ?

I would like to replace the carpet in my apartment with hardwood flooring, in order to improve the aesthetics and comfort of my residence, while increasing its long-term value. However, a director informed me that prior authorization from the board of directors was required to make this change. He also told me that if I proceeded without their agreement, they could force me to restore the original condition at my own expense. However, the floor covering…...

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Building maintenance: can the board of directors authorize a co-owner to act voluntarily ?

Questions  : Can co-owners or occupants of the building be authorized by the board of directors to carry out voluntary work (such as painting the corridors, washing the windows, laying out a small gravel path, etc.), in short, limiting the number of contractors for the maintenance of the building, and this to save several thousand dollars each year?  And if this is possible, what are the consequences?  When it comes to liability insurance, is this…...

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Clogged pipes: syndicate or co-owner, who pays?

One of our co-owners complains of a slow flow of wastewater at the toilet, the bath drain and the bathroom sink. Obviously, there is abnormal operation of the drainage system. Questions: How to determine the responsibility to pay for the unclogging of the clogged water column? Is it up to the co-owner or the syndicate of co-owners? Are there elements to consider, for example the place where the blockage occurs or the state of the…...

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Contingency fund study: status quo or the professional's recommendations?

A study of the contingency fund was recently conducted by a professional. This analysis highlighted two possible scenarios: 1. Scenario 1 (status quo): This scenario, which is not recommended by the professional, would maintain the current contributions but would result in a deficit within approximately fifteen years, requiring the use of special assessments. 2. Scenario 2: Recommended by the professional, this scenario involves a significant increase in condo fees to ensure the financial sustainability of…...

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Contractor: How to make the right choice?

Our syndicate of co-ownership will soon undertake repair work on the building's garage slab. As a director, we consulted an engineer to prepare a cost estimate. We are now at the stage of initiating the work. Given the significant costs involved, we have questions about choosing the contractor. It is essential for our co-ownership to select a contractor who not only offers a realistic and competitive estimate but also has a solid reputation and verifiable references.…...

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Contribution to the contingency fund: can there be a limit ?

I've recently become a co-owner. The building I live in, which is over 30 years old, has 10 units. The contribution to the reserve fund is substantial. In fact, it consumes 20% of the condominium's budget! This seems excessive to me. The other co-owners share this concern and question if this rate is justified. We fear that this financial burden might jeopardize our ability to cover other essential current expenses. If this situation persists, some…...

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Failure to maintain restricted common portions: what recourse can you have against the syndicate?

The windows of our unit are at the end of their lives, according to a specialist who changed the thermos of a window that don't 2 windows have already cracked. Despite my express request to the syndicate to change our windows, he prefers to wait a few years to change all the windows. We have been losing the enjoyment of one of our main windows for 2 years. Its opening is a danger, because it…...

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Maintenance log and contingency fund study: do the obligations apply to small co-ownerships?

Our horizontal co-ownership consists of three buildings, each comprising two residential units. Each co-owner is responsible for maintaining their private portion as well as the common portions to which they have exclusive use. The syndicate of co-owners, for its part, is only responsible for the maintenance of underground infrastructure, such as water and sewer pipes and the main water inlet. Although our property is relatively small and has few shared components, we are committed to…...

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Water damage: how to force a co-owner to do the necessary work ?

Following water damage in our building, we consulted a plumber to find the cause. The analysis revealed a malfunction in the toilet of our neighbor's apartment, indicating that a replacement was imperative to prevent other problems. Despite the plumber's clear diagnosis and the obvious proof of malfunction during his intervention – with the toilet overflowing upon the addition of just eight squares of toilet paper and requiring emergency unclogging – the concerned owner categorically refuses…...

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