Condo Owners Association COA

Displaying items by tag: Condo Act

The New Condominium Law Changes      See:  BULLETIN

Dear Condo Owners and General Public the Ontario Condo Act receives it's first overhaul in over 16 years with the introduction of Bill 106 Protecting Condominium Owners Act 2015. 

Please follow the new Condo Act changes in this
plain language guide.  

The key initatives include:

  1. Protecting Condominium Owners Act
  2. Consultations
  3. Streamline dispute Resolution
  4. Enhance Consumer Protection
  5. Strengthen financial management
  6. Improve how condos are run
  7. Condo Manager Licenses

  

Ontario Government Site - Condominiums

Bill 106, Protecting Condominium Owners Act 2015 

Status Certificate Forms

On March 26, 2018, the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services advised that the Status Certificates forms have been updated to take effect May 1, 2018.  

Condo Forms for Status 


 

Other Related Condominium Changes

Reforming Ontario's Condo Law  

Education requirements to get a condominium manager licence 

Licensing CMRAO Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario

Condominium Management Services Act, 2015, S.O. 2015, c.28 Sched. 2

Public Feedback on Condo Act 

Condo Owners Rights and Responsibilities


 

Condo Act Review and the 3 Stage Process

Consultation Process  

The COA was a participant in the Condo Act Review and on the Home Protection Review regarding the Licensing of Property Managers and Management Firms and others......... Click How COA Helps

 

Published in About Condo Act

 COA Endorses these changes  

  • Home Warranty Act needs a complete revision. 
  • Provincial Government consider a Condo Reserve Fund Bond to pay 1 to 1 ¼ % higher than Ontario Savings bond
  • Reserve fund studies need to conform to proper financial numbers.  Interest rates and inflation rates must be set by the Government. 
  • Improved Reserve funds interest rates with new Reserve Fund Bond
  • MPAC should consider deficiencies in the Reserve Fund
  • MPAC should consider different guidelines for property tax
  • Arrange restrictions for Smoking Cigarettes and Marijuana in condo buildings
  • Status Certificate - 10 banking days is too long of a period and jeopardizes sale
  • Meetings with extensive costs considered should be part of status certificate 

  

Did you know these condo facts?

  • Over 1.6 Million Condo Owners in Ontario
  • Over 580,000 Condo Units
  • Over 6,750 Condo Corporations
  • 1,000's Commercial Condos

  

Do you realize the importance of changing the following?  

  • Electronic Proxy system is required.  Presently proxies are being forged to control votes
  • Condo Lawyers should be appointed by Corporation, not hired by the Board
  • By Laws should not allow customization Director qualifications or disqualifications
  • By-Laws should not be allowed if the change is in contravention to the Condo Act
  • All Boards and Condo Owner should be aware of the AODA
  • Board Members should not manipulate the Condo Act forms for personal intentions

 

Let's work together for important changes to Condo Act

Published in COA Reports on Review

Newsroom

Building a Better Condominium Act

Archived News Release

McGuinty Government to Launch Condo Review Consultation

  • Ontario is taking steps to modernize the Condominium Act, 1998, so it reflects the current and
  • future needs of owners, residents and other stakeholders in the condominium community.
  • In an effort to respond to a booming and evolving industry, Ontario will launch a public
  • consultation to identify a comprehensive set of issues, and long-term solutions relating
  • to matters such as:
  • consumer protection for buyers
  • condominium finances and reserve fund management
  • condominium board governance
  • expertise/accreditation of condominium managers
  • dispute resolution, for instance between condo boards and owners
  • The review will directly engage the entire condominium community, including owners, residents,
  • developers and property managers.  Members of the condominium community will have the
  • opportunity to speak about their issues, hear the concerns of others and work together to
  • develop solutions.  Details of the public engagement process and information about how to
  • participate will be announced this summer.  Strengthening the Condominium Act is part of
  • the McGuinty government's plan to ensure a fair marketplace for Ontario families.

Quick Facts

  • Over one million people live in condominiums in Ontario.
  • There are about 525,000 condominium units in Ontario.
  • Toronto had the fastest growing high-rise condo market in North America in 2011.
  • About 50% of new home sales in Ontario are condominiums; 60% of homes sold in the GTA.

Quotes

“This promising and thorough engagement process will be a first for the North

American condo market.  It will ensure the diverse range of stakeholders, including

over one million condo dwellers in Ontario,  are involved in both identifying

the issues and defining solutions that meet our needs today and in the future.”

Margarett Best

Minister of Consumer Services  

 

“As the association representing professionalism in this rapidly growing

industry, ACMO is excited to be a part of a new consultative process

for the review of the Condominium Act that includes all stakeholders.

We look forward to working with the Government on changes that will provide

consumers with important protections and ensure that Ontario remains

the leader in the condominium industry in North America.”

Dean McCabe

President, Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario (ACMO)

 

“The Canadian Condominium Institute - Toronto and Area Chapter

is pleased that the Ontario government has officially announced

the opening of the Condominium Act, 1998 for a complete review. We

congratulate the government for approaching it in a new and innovative

way which will allow those who are most affected by the legislation

to help decide its future, and look

forward to continuing to work with the government so the best 

legislation possible is created.”

Bill Thompson

President, Canadian Condominium Institute (Toronto and Area Chapter)

 

“The Condo Owners Association is thrilled that the McGuinty Government

is launching a review of the Condominium Act. We are looking forward

to participating in the review to help build a viable and sustainable

future for condominiums in Ontario that protects the rights of

owners, ensures best practices for condo corporations, and preserves the value

of the investment people have made in their homes.”

Linda Pinizzotto

President and Founder, Condo Owners Association Ontario (COA)

Media Contacts

  • Bryan Leblanc  Minister's Office  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    416-326-1939

  • Sandra Bento  Media Relations  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    416-327-9708

 This document was published on June 08, 2012 and is provided for archival and research purposes.

Published in About Condo Act

Bruce

Dufferin ( map )

Elgin

Essex

Frontenac (formerly Frontenac Management Board)

Grey

Haliburton

Hastings

Huron

Lambton

Lanark

Leeds & Grenville

Lennox and Addington ( map )

Middlesex

Northumberland

Oxford

Perth

Peterborough

Prescott and Russell, United Counties

Renfrew

Simcoe


Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry

Wellington

Published in COA Ontario Divisions

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FROM CONDO OWNERS

We have been invited by Minister Best of The Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Services to participate with "Building a Better Condo Act" which is a condo reform to ensure better protection and governance for Condo Owners.

Mention has been made on the importance of hiring a good property management company and how they may influence a well-maintained Condo and keep maintenance lower.  COA has submitted an extensive report to the Ministry.  It is important for Condo Owners to understand that the Property Manager only impliments decisions of the Board of Directors as the Contracted Property Management company employee.  Recommendations are extremely important however Condo Board Members need to be informed and aware that they have a fiduciary duty to comply to the Condo Act when making decisions on behalf of the Corporation therefore must accept responsibilities of their decisions and not leave it in the hands of their Property Manager.   The Board of Directors have too much power no doubt and many of them abuse the power and do not comply to the Condo Act.  The Condo Act is self-governed which is the largest single problem of the Act and it needs to contain diciplinary and a fine process for those who do not comply to the Act.  It is no different from the various other Acts in affect  Example... Traffic Act, Human Rights Act, Accessibility Act, Health and Safety Act.  As it stands now it leaves a wide open space for too much control and abusive power for bad Board of Directors and unfortunately the good Boards who run the affairs of the Corporation in compliance and in good faith are affected.

We need ALL CONDO OWNERS ACROSS THE PROVINCE to join COA and also write to the Ministry to force 1) Governance and mandate compliance 2) One Declaration to comply to the Condo Act so there no confusion and written in every day language  3) a Reporting system for Condo Owners to report abusive Boards  4)  The reporting mechanism should not be comprised of  ie. Property Managements, Condo  Lawyers, Developers and Builders because of the conflict of interest of trade relating to Condominiums   5) Our government needs to arrange a Reserve Fund Bond available for all Corporations at high rates  6)  Special Condo Building incentives administered by our Government relating to energy efficiency etc should be identified and developed as a cost savings for Buidings in particular the older buildings

COA has offered a number of improvement required in the Condo Act  They are geared to identifying the problems of high maintenance fees which ultimately reduces value of the Buildings and Condo Owners are slowly losing their equity.   Condo Owners have to get involved, get educated, join COA and work together towards a stronger and financially secure Condo Market.    We stand firm on providing the strongest possible assistance to help Condo Owners and support extensive changes in the Condo Act

Published in Blog

TRI-CAN - JCO & Associates -  LAR and Owners

Charged
with conspiracy to commit fraud

 

The Competition Bureau announced that they have laid multiple criminal charges against four companies and three individuals.  The charges related to an alleged conspiracy to commit fraud and rig bids for condominium refurbishment services in the GTA Greater Toronto Area issued by private condominium corporations between 2009 a nd 2014.


Click for:  Full News Release Article     
 

"The companies and individuals are charged under the Criminal Code with conspiracy to rig bids, conspiracy to commit fraud, and fraud over $5,000"

1.  TRI-CAN Contract Incorporated and Owner Bob Vlahopoulos
2.  JCO & Associates (912547 Ontario Inc) and Owner Jose De Oliveira
3.  LAR Condominium Refurbishment Specialist 
4.  CPL Interiors Ltd. is also charged under conspiracy provision of Competition Act


 

Interesting Quick Facts

 

 
Bid Rigging Video https://youtu.be/Wu6PTbPYKfY

 
Published in Hot News Bulletin

ABOUT THE CONDO OWNERS ASSOCIATION (COA)?

The Condo Owners Association is a reg. non profit Association representing the best interest of all Condo Owners in Ontario with Chapters in each City across the Province.

 

 

ARE YOU ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN A CONDO CORPORATION?

Condominium Board of Directors who have approved "Membership" into the Condo Owners Association (COA)  understand the importance of managing the affairs of your Condo Corporation in compliance to the Provincial Condominium Act, 1998.

 

Click Here for: Introduction Letter & Request for Membership COA (PDF)

Click Here for: Application Membership Form For Condo Corporation (PDF)

 

 

CONDO OWNERS

IS YOUR CONDO CORPORATION A MEMBER OF CONDO OWNERS ASSOCIATION?

If your Condo Corporation is not a member of COA;  ask your Board of Directors "WHY NOT?

The cost is only $1.00 per unit owner (per year)  per building   ie. If you have 300 Unit Owners;  the cost is only $300.00 per year

If your Board of Directors refuses to join COA,  then their Condo Owners can join on their own at $10 per year. 

 


ARE YOU A PROPERTY MANAGER?

All Property Managers should tell their Board of Directors about Condo Owners Association (COA) and support its membership.

 


RETURN TO JOIN COA MEMBERSHIP

Published in Uncategorized

COA - Condo Owners Association Ontario

BYLAWS AND PROCEDURE

a)  The Chapters and Local Districts must make a commitment on behalf of their Chapter or District  and pass resolutions of their dedication and commitment to COA.

b)  The Chapters and Local Districts must agree to follow the policies, procedure and protocol of COA Ontario and adopt their Code of Ethics for COA Directors.

c)  The Chapters and Local Districts must sign acceptance of the By-law to govern COA Ontario which embodies all COA Chapters and Districts.

MEMBERSHIPS, MEMBERSHIP DRIVE, SPECIAL EVENTS AND SEMINARS

The Chapters and Local Districts must submit a formal request to COA Ontario for the following:

1)  A plan for their membership drive in their local District

2)  A plan for potential seminars and potential locations for same

3)  The COA Mentor program will be contacted for assistance at any time

4)  All COA membership fees msut be payable to COA Ontario

ADDRESS AND BANKING

1)  The Chapters and Local Districts must create an address to serve the new Chapter and/or District, a post office box is recommended to avoid address changes

2)  Set up a bank account in the name of the Local Chapter and/or District.  Identify two or three of the organizing committee to have signing authority

Please proceed to:   "Maintaining Certification" for all details

Published in Uncategorized

GETTING STARTED

1)  Set a date for your first meeting with the first order of business to adopt the COA By-Laws of the local Chapter and COA Ontario.

2)  The organizing committee shall be deemed the new Board of Directors for the local District.  The Board of Directors shall vote amongst themselves for the following positions:

President; Treasurer;  Secretary and if more than three Directors; a Membership and Communications Director.

3)  Create a list of District Directors to include their Position, Name, Address, Contact Numbers and Email Address.  Provide a copy to the local Chapter and COA Ontario.

4)  Prepare a Strategic Planning seminar

The Strategic Planning Seminar should define:

  • Names of board and positions (i.e. President, Treasurer, etc)
  • Possible list of committees (i.e. newsletter, education, website, etc) and names of each committee chair
  • A List of Chapters and contact information of same
  • A List of COA Ontario Executive Directors contact information of same
  • A committee for media, press, newsletters and other means of communication
  • Name and address of bank where District account is held

District to work with Local Chapter for all Press and Media Functions and also to include:

  • Public seminars
  • Membership recruitment booths
  • Education Courses
  • Newsletter or print, TV and Radio press

5)  Certification and recertification of a COA Chapter will allow the chapter to use the COA name and logo. However upon de-certification, that right will end.

6) The COA Board of Directors shall have the right to vary any of the requirements for certification or recertification based upon the special circumstances of any chapter, from time to time.

7) COA Ontario Board of Directors shall have the right to change and/or adjust requirements for certification or recertification based upon the circumstances of any chapter and/or District from time to time.

8)  COA Ontario Board of Directors shall have the right to implement related costs for membership of the related Chapters and Districts.

9)  Websites:  Please Note: COA Ontario will include a Chapter web site page for new Chapters upon certification and the local Chapter will include a District site page for new Districts.  The chapter will be responsible for adding content and monitoring the site for all Districts associated with that Chapter.   A Chapter can create its own web site at any time but must obtain approval from COA Ontario and ensure the design is in keeping with the layout and standards of COA Ontario.  In the event that a Chapter creates its own web site, that Chapter will be solely responsible for any costs.  COA Ontario is to have full right to link directly to all associated Chapters and if applicable their websites.

Districts Websites:  A District can create its own web site at any time but must obtain approval from their local Chapter and COA Ontario to ensure the design is in keeping with the layout and standards of COA Ontario.  In the event that a District creates its own web site, that District will be solely responsible for any costs.  COA Ontario is to have full right to link directly to all associated Districts and Chapters (if applicable

Please proceed to:   "Bylaws & Procedures" for all details

Published in Uncategorized

COA ONTARIO - CHAPTERS BY COUNTIES

COA is accepting applications from Condo Owners in these areas.

Please refer to: How to Apply Chapter

COUNTIES

COUNTIES

Bruce

  • Municipality of Arran Elderslie
  • Municipality of Brockton
  • Municipality of Kincardine
  • Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula
  • Municipality of South Bruce
  • Town of Saugeen Shores
  • Town of South Bruce Peninsula
  • Township of Huron-Kinloss

Dufferin ( map )

  • Town of Mono
  • Town of Orangeville
  • Town of Shelburne
  • Township of Amaranth
  • Township of East Garafraxa
  • Township of East Luther Grand Valley
  • Township of Melancthon
  • Township of Mulmur

Elgin

  • City of St Thomas (Separated)
  • Municipality of Bayham
  • Municipality of Central Elgin
  • Municipality of Dutton/Dunwich
  • Municipality of West Elgin
  • Town of Aylmer
  • Township of Malahide
  • Township of Southwold

Essex

  • City of Windsor (Separated)
  • Municipality of Leamington
  • Town of Amherstburg
  • Town of Essex
  • Town of Kingsville
  • Town of Lakeshore
  • Town of LaSalle
  • Town of Tecumseh
  • Township of Pelee

Frontenac (formerly Frontenac Management Board)

  • City of Kingston (Separated)
  • Township of Central Frontenac
  • Township of Frontenac Islands
  • Township of North Frontenac
  • Township of South Frontenac

Grey

  • City of Owen Sound
  • Town of The Blue Mountains
  • Town of Hanover
  • Municipality of Meaford (Town)
  • Township of Chatsworth
  • Township of Georgian Bluffs
  • Municipality of Grey Highlands (Twp)
  • Township of  Southgate
  • Township of West Grey

Haliburton

  • Township of Algonquin Highlands
  • Municipality of Dysart et al
  • Municipality of Highlands East (Twp)
  • Township of  Minden Hills

Hastings

  • City of Belleville (Separated)
  • City of Quinte West (Separated)
  • Municipality of Centre Hastings
  • Municipality of Hastings Highlands
  • Municipality of Marmora and Lake (Twp)
  • Municipality of Tweed
  • Town of Bancroft
  • Town of Deseronto
  • Township of Carlow/Mayo
  • Township of Faraday
  • Township of Limerick
  • Township of Madoc
  • Township of Stirling-Rawdon
  • Township of Tudor & Cashel
  • Township of Tyendinaga
  • Township of Wollaston

Huron

  • Municipality of Bluewater (Town)
  • Municipality of Central Huron (Twp)
  • Municipality of Huron East (Town)
  • Municipality of Morris-Turnberry (Twp)
  • Municipality of South Huron (Town)
  • Town of Goderich
  • Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh
  • Township of Howick
  • Township of North Huron

Lambton

  • City of Sarnia
  • Municipality of  Lambton Shores (City)
  • Town of Petrolia
  • Township of Brooke-Alvinston
  • Township of Dawn-Euphemia
  • Township of Enniskillen
  • Town of Plympton-Wyoming
  • Township of St. Clair
  • Township of Warwick
  • Village of Oil Springs
  • Village of Point Edward

Lanark

  • Separated Town of Smiths Falls (Separated)
  • Town of Carleton Place
  • Town of Mississippi Mills
  • Town of Perth
  • Township of Beckwith
  • Township of Drummond-North Elmsley
  • Township of Lanark Highlands
  • Township of Montague
  • Township of Tay Valley

Leeds & Grenville

  • City of Brockville (Separated)
  • Municipality of North Grenville (Twp) Gananoque (Separated)
  • Town of Prescott (Separated )
  • Township of Athens
  • Township of Augusta
  • Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal
  • Township of Elizabethtown - Kitley
  • Township of Leeds & the Thousand Islands
  • Township of Front of Yonge
  • Township of Rideau Lakes
  • Village of Merrickville-Wolford
  • Village of Westport

Lennox and Addington ( map )

  • Town of Greater Napanee
  • Township of Addington Highlands
  • Township of Loyalist
  • Township of Stone Mills

Middlesex

  • City of London (Separated)
  • Municipality of North Middlesex (Twp)
  • Municipality of Southwest Middlesex (Twp)
  • Municipality of Thames Centre (Twp)
  • Township of Adelaide Metcalfe
  • Township of Lucan Biddulph
  • Township of Middlesex Centre
  • Township of  Strathroy - Caradoc
  • Village of Newbury

Northumberland

  • Municipality of Brighton (status: Town)
  • Town of Cobourg
  • Municipality of Port Hope
  • Municipality of Trent Hills (status: Town)
  • Township of Alnwick/Haldimand
  • Township of Cramahe
  • Township of Hamilton

Oxford

  • City of Woodstock
  • Town of Ingersoll
  • Town of Tillsonburg
  • Township of Blandford Blenheim
  • Township of East Zorra-Tavistock
  • Township of Norwich
  • Township of South-West Oxford
  • Township of Zorra

Perth

  • City of Stratford (Separated)
  • Municipality of North Perth
  • Town of St. Marys (Separated)
  • Township of Perth East
  • Township of Perth South
  • Municipality of West Perth (Twp)

Peterborough

  • City of Peterborough (Separated)
  • Township Asphodel-Norwood
  • Township Cavan Monaghan
  • Township Douro-Dummer
  • Township Galway-Cavendish-Harvey
  • Township Havelock-Belmont-Methuen
  • Township North Kawartha
  • Township Otonabee-South Monaghan
  • Township Smith,Ennismore-Lakefield

Prescott and Russell, United Counties

  • City of Clarence-Rockland
  • Municipality of Casselman
  • Municipality of the Nation
  • Town of Hawkesbury
  • Township of Alfred & Plantagenet
  • Township of Champlain
  • Township of East Hawkesbury
  • Township of Russell

Renfrew

  • City of Pembroke (Separated)
  • Town of Arnprior
  • Town of Deep River
  • Town of Laurentian Hills
  • Town of Petawawa
  • Town of Renfrew
  • Township Admaston-Bromley
  • Township Bonnechere Valley
  • Township Brudenell,Lyndoch,Raglan
  • Township Greater Madawaska
  • Township Horton
  • Township Killaloe, Hagarty,Richards
  • Township Laurentian Valley
  • Township Madawaska Valley
  • Township McNab-Braeside
  • Township North Algona-Wilberforce
  • Township Whitewater Region
  • United Townships Head,Clara,Maria

Simcoe

  • City of Barrie (Separated)
  • City of Orillia (Separated)
  • Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury
  • Town of Collingwood
  • Town of Innisfil
  • Town of Midland
  • Town of New Tecumseth
  • Town of Penetanguishene
  • Town of Wasaga Beach
  • Township of Adjala-Tosorontio
  • Township of Clearview
  • Township of Essa
  • Township of Oro-Medonte
  • Township of Ramara
  • Township of Severn
  • Township of Springwater
  • Township of Tay
  • Township of Tiny


Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry

  • City of Cornwall
  • Township of North Dundas
  • Township of North Glengarry
  • Township of North Stormont
  • Township of South Dundas
  • Township of South Glengarry
  • Township of South Stormont

Wellington

  • City of Guelph (Separated)
  • Town of Erin
  • Town of Minto
  • Township of Centre Wellington
  • Township of Guelph-Eramosa
  • Township of Mapleton
  • Township of Puslinch
  • Township of Wellington North
Published in Uncategorized
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