WHAT ARE ODOURS? Odours consist of molecules that float and are carried by air movement. Condominium occupants frequently complain of unwanted odours in their units: intruding smells of cigarettes, cooking, garbage, and the like. HOW DOES AIR MOVE? Outdoors, air (and the odours it carries) is moved by the wind – the neighborhood BBQ smells […]
The warm weather is here, and that means people are ready to come out of hibernation and start to travel. Are you considering making some extra cash this year by renting out your condominium unit on a short-term basis? Maybe you want to post your unit on Airbnb or Vrbo and see if anyone is […]
“War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.” If reading the Repair, Maintenance and Insurance sections of the Ontario Condominium Act and related sections of a condo Declaration and By Law is reminiscent of the contradictions in this iconic quote from George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984, take heart in knowing you are not alone! […]
There is growing interest in providing compensation or remuneration to directors serving on condominium’s board of directors. It is often suggested as a way of attracting more candidates to the board of directors. In Ontario, a director can only receive compensation for sitting on the board of directors if a by-law is passed according to […]
Spring is here! And while the warmer weather and sunny days bring most of us much joy it means that spring showers are also here. Leaks in your condominium can cause significant damage if not properly addressed. Whether it’s a slow leak or an unexpected flood, knowing how to prevent and deal with leaks can […]
ii. The Condominium’s Governing DocumentsThe second category of chargebacks are those found in a condominium’s declaration or by-laws. Many declarations contain an “indemnification” clause which permits a condominium to chargeback costs to a violating unit owner. These provisions typically begin with wording along the lines of, “Each owner shall indemnify and save harmless the corporation […]
Even if you are not a fan of Shakespeare, we all know the famous line spoken by Hamlet; “To be or not to be, that is the question: Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles.” While this line […]
Been cooped up in your condo all season long, and looking for something to do? With winter’s end on the horizon, now’s the perfect time to start planning for the warmer days ahead! The Grand River Area is full of great spots to explore, from outdoor adventures to cultural experiences, and everything in between. If […]
A short list of the most expensive, unexpected condo corporation expenses will invariably include floods. Although flooding is an insurable loss, the impact of making insurance claims means that claims are only made in extreme cases. Often, the repair costs, which can easily range from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars, are shouldered by […]
In Ontario, some condominium corporations manage their properties without the help of a professional condominium property management company licensed under the Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario (“CMRAO”). Sometimes this is because of their remote location, other times it is because there is a very active and capable board, and other times it is in […]