CCI-Toronto is taking their fight to the airwaves on TV tonight. Hear the latest about what is being done. Tune in to Focus Ontario at 6:30 pm on Global TV Toronto.
Continue Reading CCI’s fight against HST takes to the airwaves
Financial Issues
“Do you want a loan with that balcony retrofit?”
Daily Commercial News reports on a trend emerging in response to the deteriorating physical and financial condition of older condominiums — "lender tenders."
The article cites a report by GRG Building Consultants showing that condominiums built in the 1970s are in worse shape today in terms of their building envelope and structure compared to complexes built in the 1980s and 90s. Moreover, increasingly stringent reserve fund requirements in the Condominium Act since the 1980s have created a financial gap between condominiums built in the 1970s and those constructed afterwards. The 1970s condominiums are less likely to have a properly-funded reserve to pay for major repair and replacement of the common elements than condominiums constructed since then.Continue Reading “Do you want a loan with that balcony retrofit?”
HST at centre of by-election politics
The impact of the proposed HST on condominium corporations and their unit owners is turning into a political football in the upcoming provincial by-election in Toronto.
Continue Reading HST at centre of by-election politics
Is your condo corporation budgeting for HST yet?
The Toronto Star reports that a luncheon panel to held by ACMO in September on the topic of the HST will feature a very brave parliamentary assistant to the minister of revenue. No eggs will be served.
Continue Reading Is your condo corporation budgeting for HST yet?
Guest post: Condominiums and municipal taxation
This guest entry by local condo director Ernie Nyitrai is a call to action for other condo corporations and unit owners to lobby for amendment to the Assessment Act, which governs the municipal tax assessment regime in Ontario.
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Deadline to appeal property tax assessment is March 31
Residential property owners thinking about appealing their 2009 property tax assessment must file a Request for Reconsideration ("RfR") by March 31.
Don’t wait until the last minute to take steps — Property owners will need to read up on the changes in force this year and may need to get assistance.
For a handy summary…
Harmonized sales tax on the horizon — start budgeting
The Premier of Ontario talked about a Harmonized Sales Tax in January. Now that the finance minister is predicting $18-billion deficits, the odds of an HST being implemented are increasing dramatically. Get ready.
Continue Reading Harmonized sales tax on the horizon — start budgeting
Ask questions to help prevent fraud
It has been a while since we’ve heard a story of a big fraud in the local condo scene. Here are some ideas to help minimize the chances of frauds taking place at your condo.
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By-law needed for condos to appeal tax assessment of units
With the March 31 deadline approaching, we discuss how condominium unit owners can act collectively to make objections and appeals from municipal property tax assessments of their condo units.
Continue Reading By-law needed for condos to appeal tax assessment of units
New guidelines for condo financial accounting and auditing
New guidelines for condo financial accounting and auditing have been announced this week by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario. This will be a valuable resource.
Continue Reading New guidelines for condo financial accounting and auditing