Legal
Preventing mismanaged finances on condo boards
Whether by corruption or incompetence, condo boards that mismanage their multi-million dollar budgets and reserve funds are a recurring problem.
Special assessments in condos: a legal perspective
There are instances where unit owners may have recourse to insurance to cover their share of the special assessment. Ahead are a few examples.
Condo pet bans: A legal perspective
Emotions are running high at two CityPlace buildings after the condominium corporation started enforcing a rule that prohibits any pets that were not registered with the corporation by a specified date.
Real estate flies red flags of money laundering
Some of the signals of potential malfeasance in real estate transactions are not obvious or only appear ominous when they are part of a pattern of questionable conduct.
The duty to accommodate disabled residents
Lessons from a Human Rights Tribunal decision focusing on a residential property's obligations to disabled residents.
New rules could help dislodge drug dealers
Proposed amendments to Ontario's Cannabis Control Act would allow authorities to lock down and bar entry to residential dwellings in the course of laying charges
Pre-construction sale cancellations: What are the options?
What can a purchaser do when their agreement to purchase a pre-construction condominium unit is cancelled? This affects condo investors, or landlords, that buy multiple new units to lease out.
Early termination clauses open to possible abuse
How, exactly, is a developer permitted to simply cancel a project, sometimes a number of years after the first agreements of purchase and sale were signed?
A closer look at anti-SLAPP legislation
One recent case shed light on how these newly available SLAPP provisions may apply in the condo context.
Cannabis legalization calls for drug policies
How can companies adapt to the monumental change of cannabis legalization? The short answer is to implement a drug policy.
Creating more inclusive condo communities
A condo refurbishment project is the perfect time to come up with a cost-effective plan to provide a more inclusive and accessible environment.
Fate of outstanding condo law reforms unknown
The fate of some of the recent changes Ontario’s condo laws remains unknown after the change in provincial government three months ago.
General operating bylaws due for update
Many corporations’ operating bylaws contain provisions that are either inoperative or inconsistent with the latest amendments to the Condominium Act.
Site security comes under renewed scrutiny
Construction site security is under renewed scrutiny after a member of the public gained access to a downtown property and scaled a crane.
Navigating a new process for requesting records
As of Nov. 1, 2017, there is a new process under the Condominium Act, as amended, for making and responding to records requests in condo corporations.
First decisions issued in condo records disputes
The Ontario Condominium Authority Tribunal's first five decisions in records-related condo disputes include a case dismissal and a penalty.
Maximizing common element warranty coverage
An engineer offers tips for maximizing common element warranty coverage to get construction deficiencies resolved in new condo complexes.


