These two laws will come into force very soon! Read on to find out how they affect condominium living and how you can prepare for the changes. Theoretically, owners will no longer stay out of the loop. From now on, the board of directors is required to take steps to increase transparency vis-à-vis the owners of the condominium`s finances. Important information about the syndicate must not only be communicated to the owners in a timely manner, but also documentation and records must be kept and accessible to the owners. As of April 15, 2022, this section establishes the obligation for each co-owner to contribute to the expenses of the co-ownership and the operation of the immovable, as well as to the emergency fund. Since October 15, 2020, article 1064 of the Civil Code of Québec requires all co-owners to take out liability insurance. Bill 16, which brings together several legal provisions relating to housing, was submitted to the National Assembly by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing on April 3, 2019 and adopted on December 5. Since then, certain provisions came into force on January 10, 2020, including the requirement for condominium corporations to conduct an emergency fund study every five years. Bills 141 and 16 were passed in 2018 and 2019 respectively and affect all condominium owners.
Bill 141, which deals with the financial sector, will have an impact on insurance policies underwritten by condominium boards. The increase that will probably hurt the most is the one associated with the emergency fund, especially if the property is older and the fund has been neglected for several years. However, the law provides for 10 years to supplement the fund if it is not large enough. This will prevent a dramatic increase in condominium fees. Here are the laws and regulations in Quebec that will come into force this year. Living in a condominium like a condo is a relatively new concept in Quebec. As condominiums aged – sometimes heavily – it became clear that there were gaps in the regulation of this type of housing. Some buildings were poorly maintained, insurance deductibles were becoming more difficult to pay, and some co-owners had to declare bankruptcy or sell their unit in response to an avalanche of special assessments. Several situations had to be corrected. That`s where Bill 141 and Bill 16 come in. For condo renovations, both private and common areas, do not hesitate to contact us – we can help you! Or call one of our renovation consultants at 1-877-736-6360.
They can answer all your questions. The study must be conducted every five years. For co-owners, this means that condominium fees will increase from $145 to $300. With a new year comes new laws and regulations in Quebec that citizens must follow. The province has a number of laws that will come into force this year, some that will benefit the public and others that will certainly cause frustration. In many cases, these laws were announced in the waning parts of last year in anticipation of 2020. The controversies we all remember from 2019 are sure to continue into 2020. Expect the CAQ`s handling of Bill 21 and its positions on immigration and language to continue to make headlines this year. For more information on condominiums, visit the Regroupement des gestionnaires et copropriétaires du Québec website. Reserve funds, also called emergency funds in Quebec, are separate from funds allocated to the regular maintenance of the common elements of a building.
They provide a cushion for renovations and major repairs. Each month, a portion of a co-owner`s condominium fees are paid into an emergency fund to ensure the syndicate has enough money for future repairs. The reserve fund is intended only for major repairs to the common elements and the replacement of the common elements, not for their regular maintenance. In mid-December 2019, the CAQ announced that it would increase the minimum wage in Quebec by 60 cents in 2020. Jean Boulet, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity, said that „the increase in the minimum wage he is proposing today will allow workers and businesses to benefit from the current economic dynamic.“ Under Bill 16, developers of a newly constructed condominium must submit a reserve fund study and maintenance booklet within six months of the extraordinary transitional general meeting and make it available to the consortium of co-owners. This extraordinary general meeting ensures the proper transfer of the management of the property from the developer to the syndicate of co-owners. Although it is often almost invisible to condominium residents, especially if it is a flat roof, the roof is a key component of the building envelope. To avoid major problems, it`s a good idea to inspect the roof twice a year before and after winter. There is a major change to Quebec`s tax regulations, courtesy of the federal government. The basic amount that all Canadians can earn tax-free increases to $13,229. The increase will be implemented over the next four years until the tax-free amount reaches $15,000. For low-income individuals, this could mean annual tax savings of up to $140 in 2020.
In Quebec, most condominiums can be classified as co-ownership.