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The Government Is Requesting Feedback on Changes to the Condo Act

The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services is planning certain amendments to the Condominium Act, 1998. In order to better understand how these changes will affect the general public and various stakeholders in the condominium industry (including unit owners, condominium corporations, and the Condominium Authority of Ontario), the government is holding a consultation and welcoming feedback on the proposal until March 10, 2020.

The government is looking to collect the views of the general public on a variety of topics, including:

  • Changing the amount of interest that would be owed to a purchaser who makes deposits and other payments on a purchase into a pre-construction condominium project by the developer, if the project is cancelled and in other circumstances.
  • Requiring the Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO) to conceive a condo guide for buyers and requiring developers to provide it at the point of purchase.
  • Establishing guidelines and standards that govern how condominium corporations procure goods and services.
  • Establishing a process to allow condominium corporations to add charges to an owner’s common expenses under certain circumstances.
  • Clarifying how interim occupancy fees are handled by developers.
  • Clarifying how contributions are made to reserve funds, the manner in which they can be used , and how reserve fund studies can be conducted.
  • Clarifying the arbitration and mediation process between owners and condominium corporations.

The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services is encouraging all interested parties to provide their comments and will be accepting feedback until March 10, 2020. To provide your comments, please visit the Ministry’s website here and use the provided Feedback Form.

Stay tuned to Condo Law News to keep up to date on the latest developments in condominium law!