By Chris Jaglowitz on Posted in Case Studies,Financial Issues,Legislation & RegulationA recent small claims court decision signals the end of condo management firms preparing, registering and discharging condominium liens in-house. Page v. Maple Ridge Community Management Ltd., 2017 CanLII 21772 began when a unit owner at YCC 34 failed to pay a special assessment in time. YCC 34’s management firm, Maple Ridge, used its in-house paralegal employee… Continue Reading
By Chris Jaglowitz on Posted in Financial IssuesAs if there was any doubt, Canada Revenue Agency has been closely watching condominium corporations and other non-profit entities to see how much money is potentially escaping taxation. This undertaking has a big name and big acronym: Non-Profit Organization Risk Identification Project (“NPORIP”). Through an access to information request filed 2 years ago, charity lawyer… Continue Reading
By Chris Jaglowitz on Posted in Financial Issues,GovernanceWe published a piece last May recommending that condominium corporations enact policies to collect common expenses in an orderly, systematic way. Unfortunately, we continue to see condo boards deliberately delaying the commencement of power of sale proceedings on liened units. Such delay brings added cost, wasted board time, greater hardship on unit owners in trouble… Continue Reading
By Chris Jaglowitz on Posted in Financial IssuesMany people who work with condominiums raised an eyebrow after reading a recent Toronto Star story entitled “Maintenance fees take a toll on Toronto condo owners.” The piece highlights the divergent philosophies about the interplay between common expenses and market values and the growing trend towards gathering, tracking and comparing common expenses data from building… Continue Reading
By Chris Jaglowitz on Posted in Financial Issues,Legislation & RegulationIt is not a lawyer’s usual role to alert the public about possible crimes being perpetrated by suspected criminals at large, but we feel compelled to do so when police and government fail to take action and leave condominium corporations vulnerable to a rogue. Boards of small condominium corporations in Halton Region should check whether… Continue Reading
By Chris Jaglowitz on Posted in Financial Issues,GovernanceSome of the most uncomfortable conversations that condo directors, managers and lawyers have with unit owners take place when owners cannot afford the monthly common expenses for their unit. While it is natural to show compassion to someone in trouble, significant problems and potential liabilities arise by delaying prompt collection action. Ontario condominium corporations have… Continue Reading
By Chris Jaglowitz on Posted in Financial Issues,Living Together,News and EventsTo encourage people to carefully consider and protect their families, assets and affairs, the Ontario Bar Association has made April its “Make a Power of Attorney Month.” A power of attorney (“POA”) is a legal document that gives someone else the right to act on a person’s behalf. These documents can be used to oversee… Continue Reading
By Chris Jaglowitz on Posted in Financial IssuesThe Insurance Bureau of Canada says it is talking to B.C. lawmakers about the condo law. We ask why. We also ask why more insurers aren't providing unit owners the option to buy adequate coverage.… Continue Reading
By Chris Jaglowitz on Posted in Financial IssuesTo help fight for condo corporations and their unit owners, the Canadian Condominium Institute is looking to gather info on CRA's proposed move to treat certain rental income streams as taxable. See if you can help out.… Continue Reading
By Chris Jaglowitz on Posted in Financial IssuesThe latest development in Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's campaign to stop the gravy train raises some useful thoughts for condo corporations trying to tighten their belts.… Continue Reading
By Chris Jaglowitz on Posted in Financial Issues,The EnvironmentNo matter how you view the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit, we're interested to see whether it will provide any financial benefit to condominium corporations and their unit owners.… Continue Reading
By Chris Jaglowitz on Posted in Financial IssuesHere's a special update on a ruling that should be carefully considered by condo corporations that own any common amenities in the form of units. Those condos should get legal advice about filing a Request for Reconsideration with MPAC by the deadline of March 31, 2001.… Continue Reading
By Chris Jaglowitz on Posted in Financial Issues,News and EventsIf the unit owners at your condo are sick and tired of paying municipal taxes at the same rate as single family houses and not receiving commensurate local services, your corporation needs to join Canadian Condominium Institute to do something about it.… Continue Reading
By Chris Jaglowitz on Posted in Financial IssuesThe Toronto Chapter of the Canadian Condominium Institute has posted a special info bulletin on how condominium unit owners can claim the Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC).… Continue Reading
We published a piece last May recommending that condominium corporations enact policies to collect common expenses in an orderly, systematic way. Unfortunately, we continue to see condo boards deliberately delaying the commencement of power of sale proceedings on liened units. Such delay brings added cost, wasted board time, greater hardship on unit owners in trouble… Continue Reading
It is not a lawyer’s usual role to alert the public about possible crimes being perpetrated by suspected criminals at large, but we feel compelled to do so when police and government fail to take action and leave condominium corporations vulnerable to a rogue. Boards of small condominium corporations in Halton Region should check whether… Continue Reading
To encourage people to carefully consider and protect their families, assets and affairs, the Ontario Bar Association has made April its “Make a Power of Attorney Month.” A power of attorney (“POA”) is a legal document that gives someone else the right to act on a person’s behalf. These documents can be used to oversee… Continue Reading