Condominium enforcement disputes often turn on a simple but critical question: did the corporation take reasonable steps before escalating enforcement and charging costs back to a unit owner? In Qin v. Toronto Standard Condominium Corporation No. 2885, the Condominium Authority…
Fire Code Violations – They’re No April Fool’s Joke
I recently had the pleasure of writing an article for the Remi Network regarding Fire Code violations: common violations, how to prevent them, and how to address them. Check out this must read article here: Fire code violations threaten condo…
Why Developers Are Choosing Rentals (What I’m Seeing Firsthand)
I’m seeing this firsthand. Projects that were clearly meant to be condos are turning into rentals more and more often. It’s not usually announced in a big way. It just kind of happens. And honestly, it’s not surprising. Condos aren’t…
Court Refuses to Order Removal of Longstanding Common Element Addition
A recent decision of the Ontario Superior Court provides an important reminder for condominium corporations about delay, fairness, and the proper use of section 98 agreements when owners make changes to common elements. In WCC No. 21 v. Robertson, the…
Status Certificates, Information Certificates and Annual Returns: Why So Complicated?
If you have ever tried to make sense of a condominium’s paperwork, you know it is not exactly light reading. Under Ontario’s Condominium Act, 1998 (the “Act“) corporations must keep owners and buyers informed. That is a good thing. Transparency…
What’s Going On With Water Submetering in Condos?
Water submetering continues to be a recurring issue for condominium corporations, and not because it is running smoothly. We are increasingly seeing corporations trying to manage or unwind water submetering arrangements that were never properly authorized in the first place.…
Duty to Accommodate Disabilities in Condominium Communities
Condominium corporations in Ontario have clear legal obligations when it comes to accommodating residents with disabilities. Under the Human Rights Code (the “Code”), disability is a protected ground, and housing providers, including condominium corporations, must accommodate disability-related needs to the point of undue hardship. A disability under…
Streamlining Your AGM: Making the Meeting Work Better for Everyone
AGMs don’t have to be painful. When they’re well planned and supported by clear rules, they can be efficient, transparent, and even productive. When they’re not, they tend to drag on, spark procedural arguments, and leave everyone including owners, managers,…
Director Elections: Something To Consider
Though Ontario’s first Condominium Act was adopted in 1970, owner elections were not mentioned until amending Acts in 1974 and 1978 clarified that unit owners are the electors and that each unit is entitled to one vote. Corporations were required…
Proxies, e‑voting and where we go from here
When Bert Winberg, founder of the Rockport Group, began building condominiums in the Toronto area in the late 1960s, condominiums were a largely unknown concept and there was no specific legislation governing how they would operate in Ontario. The first…
"Since 2010, the Fodden Award has been the Clawbies’ top honour for Canadian legal commentary, recognizing a single, outstanding publication. This year, our “best of the best” award goes to…The Lash Condo Law Blog
From timely advice to evergreen guidance, with an approachable, accessible style, the Lash Condo Law Blog has it all. We’re hard-pressed to find a better current example of a law firm blog that people will actually want to read. (Funny accompanying images help, too!)
Denise Lash and her colleagues write in an engaging and enjoyable way that is surprisingly rare these days, and their COVID content was particularly invaluable in 2021.” — 2021 Clawbies