HOA lawsuits are not uncommon. The good news is that most lawsuits filed against HOAs do not go before a judge.

When talking about strata council members’ roles and responsibilities, there is almost always an emphasis placed on the requirement to enforce the bylaws and rules. Rule enforcement, while not something council members look forward to, is a critical part of maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for the people who live in the strata. If […]

Every condo community is required to operate according to its rules and bylaws. Owners, tenants and visitors are all expected to follow them. And while they may feel burdensome at times, rules help promote the safety of owners, and prevent unreasonable interference to the use and enjoyment of the building, common elements, and individual units. […]

In 2017, news broke that a group of Toronto condo board members conspired to divert hundreds of thousands of dollars from a building’s operating budget into their own pockets. The group posed as condo owners, forged ballots and managed to take control of a condo board in 2016. Some of these individuals had allegedly infiltrated as many […]

In Quebec, most condos can be classified as divided co-ownerships. That means the building has private areas (the owners’ units) and common areas that all of the owners share (party rooms, pools, outdoor spaces, etc.).    The Quebec Government passed Bill 16 in December of 2019, and this new law will impact some of the […]

Associations may use fines to curb unwanted, destructive, or dangerous behaviour from continuing within the development. Some associations use them often, while others try to avoid issuing fines. There are pros and cons to using and issuing fines, but monetary penalties won’t be all that effective if they do not align with the offence that […]

When a homeowner breaks a bylaw or rule, the association needs to address the issue promptly and professionally. Enforcing the rules can be challenging. If you are a board member or property manager, you may have to deliver some bad news (and possibly fine) to one of your residents, and you must do it in […]

The rules have changed for some American and Canadian condo corporations, at least temporarily, when it comes to e-voting and virtual meetings. Emergency orders have been made to help condos communicate virtually, and maintain some operations that need to be carried out by condo boards.     Ontario On April 24, 2020, the Government of […]

Condo and HOA board members have encountered some very new challenges since the COVID-19 outbreak. Large gatherings have been banned in most states and provinces, and people are being asked to stay home unless they’re going out for a bit of exercise, or to get essential items such as food or medication. While the social […]

Do you have an idea of how much paper your condo association used last year? You may have lost track, but you probably sent out thousands of pages to your residents. In an effort to reduce printing costs, and their environmental impact, some property managers have decided to send out electronic documents to homeowners. There […]

Does your condominium association have a website? If you live in Florida, and the answer is no, it’s definitely time to get one.

Every condo building or complex is governed by a set of rules and regulations. They usually record these in a document titled ‘Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions’ or CC&R’s for short. It may also be referred to as a ‘declaration’. These rules are enforced by the condo association or a homeowner’s association. Their primary goal is […]

Do you have a grievance against your condo’s management? Don’t know where to go or where to start? You’ve come to the right place. In the following article, we’ll explore the correct process to follow if you want to successfully file a valid complaint against your condo’s management. This is based on current industry legislation […]

  Changing cannabis legislation in Canada, and an increasing number of US states, is putting pressure on condo managers and boards for tighter regulation. Residents and owners are concerned about how legalization will affect their lifestyle and property value. We examine a few of the biggest concerns and some of the top strategies for condo […]