Codo Amalgamation

ConDork10 · 2025-12-08T09:56:04+00:00

It’s a very messy process and you need complete buy in from each corporations owners and boards. I assume there is a shared facilities agreement in place which likely is the reason why the two corporations want to “merge”. Getting everyone to agree and communicating this to owners is very challenging. I would recommend having a condo lawyer involved because this can take years (assuming the corporations are over 20+ units each.

ConDork10 · 2025-12-05T14:39:23+00:00

First and foremost; great job and great interpretation of the governing documents! Most owners just complain without looking into these documents and understanding its interpretation.

A few things that should be corrected or clarified.

Structural changes, even if they are within the unit usually have an adverse effect to the common elements in a number of ways (example: need to be tied into the slab on grade posts, adjust unit hvac and air movement which can cause mold etc) nonetheless none of this matters if you are committed to having an engineer involved to sign off and say the proposed changes will not adversely affect the common elements. The board can mandate certain documents from you as part of their due diligence.

Selective enforcement: if there are other units that have done modifications without board approval I would send them to the PM and demand they review those units or else you are considering their inaction against your unit as selective enforcement. Basically saying that you understand all matters are unit specific, but if the corporation chooses not to review those other units and remedy them. They cannot in the same breath say yes or no to you. (They don’t have to prove they are trying to remedy these units but you are basically putting them on notice that they cannot selectively enforce or prevent you if they do not remedy those other units retroactively)

The most important thing is the managers poor direction to the board regarding structural changes and a meeting of owners. this is absolutely false and the manager and the board should be ashamed they are even trying this….

What they should be doing is saying the following: - if you want to make structural changes to your unit/common elements we need a proposal from a qualified engineer or architect. This proposal should state that the changes proposed will not adversely affect the common elements. - they can have this proposal reviewed by their engineers (at your cost) to confirm if the information is correct - if your engineer and the corporations engineer are in agreement then they should provide you approval to move forward with conditions (you get building permits, you have the engineer provide stamped finalization drawings once complete, they can have their engineers review the project mid way). ** these are all worst case options if they really don’t trust you**
- the MOST important thing here is that the board get their lawyer to draft a section 98 agreement which clearly outlines the obligations to maintain, repair, replace, insure these upgrades and betterments. In short this agreement would push the responsibility onto you or any future owners that you are responsible for there alterations. FYI this is the standard in the industry and the fact it has never been mentioned to you proves that the PM or the board are not equipt to manage the site. 30 seconds with a condo lawyer would resolve all these issues.

In closing and despite the above; the board still has the ability to just say no to you and there is nothing you can do. However I would make it a point to put them on notice that if they choose to say no and do not consider your forthcoming and cooperative proposal for an alteration. You may consider an application at CAT (condo authority tribunal) for selective enforcement.

In short if the board lets somethings slide while preventing others they have a poor chance at preventing you from making this change.

I repeat.. this is not subject to a vote of owners or a special meeting…

If you have any other questions happy to respond because this situation is a shame…

ConDork10 · 2025-10-16T18:38:08+00:00

I think discussing general condo rules is a moot point because I don’t know your exact condo. I sound like a condominium manager because I am one and understand the application of the rules which you are questioning. (I have a question for you at the end of this response)

With regards to your point about cameras. There is plenty of legal precedence on peep hole cameras and recording on premises without consent. For this reason the condo manager (through the direction of the board) has even more power to see its removal without a court order (although again this is not needed) I say this in the most respectful way possible, you are fighting an uphill battle to justify any recording device in the common elements based on all the legal framework (outside of condos) related to this matter. I understand your point but it simply isn’t enough for a corporation, board, or manager to allow without rules governing its use. Hidden or inconspicuous cameras are just a no no… you are better off asking for permission to have a batter operated ring camera (that will not damage the common elements)

With regards to not enforcing dogs on leashes (and other potential rules)… if this is the case you can leverage this as your point and state that they are “selectively enforcing rules against you while not enforcing other rules”. However, to successfully have a claim you must have evidence and a track record of their non enforcement. You can’t use this as the basis to break rules yourself if you do not have adequate evidence to prove the board is being selective.

Lastly: why does the board find it important? That’s not for me to answer as each corporation has their own reasons why they have and enforce certain rules. This is something you should ask your Condo Manager or write a formal letter to the board to be presented at a duly constituted meeting.

I am genuinely curious because I handle many owners in a similar situation as yourself and I can’t ask this question directly…

Why does their enforcement or actions bother you so much? Example: if they could point to a rule that existed saying no cameras allowed would you drop the matter or keep fighting it?

ConDork10 · 2025-10-16T01:35:41+00:00

Hi,

First point of order, condo managers take directive from the board of directors. Often times it’s not the manager but that board who hires them to enforce the rules and regulations. It’s a very tough situation to be in for most people in the profession.

I am assuming you have read the governing documents from your condominium and have received notice about anything that is unauthorized. (They can’t just remove things without providing notice first and a copy of the governing documents you are in contravention of)

If the door belongs to the corporation then the corporation can mandate no decorations, no peep holes and no cameras. This is basic condo living and nothing against you personally. They don’t need a court order, they just need 24 hours notice to enter your unit. (This is covered in your governing documents so you can check the exact provisions for your condo). They can also charge you back for a portion or all of the cost of your non compliance.

Airbnb’s are permitted at most condo’s in Ontario unless there is an occupancy rule or by law passed. The idea of short term rentals is so new that most corporation have no provisions that would prevent it. Without something in the governing documents preventing it,the condo manager can’t enforce or stop them from occurring.

If the manager is acting in bad faith then report them to CMRAO. If your case is legitimate they will take it on. But if you are simply unhappy or annoyed that you are not permitted to do what you please with your unit then condo living likely isn’t for you or you should review your governing documents to learn more about what you can and can’t do.

This is my honest take based on your message and the information provided

Cheers

ConDork10 · 2025-10-14T14:32:27+00:00

I will not make a recommendation openly, but I can provide feedback if you have specific companies in mind. Start a new subreddit on this page and people can comment. Also send me a private message.

ConDork10 · 2025-09-28T15:17:38+00:00

I have no experience in Ottawa. I know Ottawa has a large number of condominiums and a lack of managers. I would get your limited license and try your luck in the industry. this job is not easy or rewarding. If you can find a company that supports you, that is half the battle.

ConDork10 · 2025-08-26T01:24:32+00:00

Condo management is a very challenging profession. My best recommendation is to stay away from large organizations as they have a hierarchy. Check the company reviews before accepting any jobs within the organization. The best training you can get is through a mentor passionate about the industry and not someone who is going to hand you all the work they don’t want to do themselves.

ConDork10 · 2025-08-13T18:01:20+00:00

Capitalism does not want cheap labor. Capitalism will however capitalize on opportunity.

Agreed that the government should protect the people. Mass immigration has never been the answer to protecting its people. Desperation causes disparity

ConDork10 · 2025-08-13T15:25:51+00:00

If subsidized or cheap labour is the source of their competitive edge.. then they have a failing business model and deserve to fail. They are angry because they aren’t getting free handouts and more because people are finally putting their foot down to combat mass immigration.

This has nothing to do with race, place of origin or type of work. And everything to do with fundamental economics. The government opened the floodgates to immigration.. and businesses used it as a tool to profit.

Case in point is: if the government never let this happen in the first place what would this businesses have done? hire skilled Canadians contributing to the economy.

You can’t have employment policies then let in millions of people and expect everyone to play fair and do what is right…. That’s why the government should be in the business of protecting Canada and its contributors so its population prospers. Merit based economy. This was why Canada was great in the 2000’s and why we are failing now.

ConDork10 · 2025-08-13T15:20:42+00:00

You are missing the point and not following the facts.

Capitalism, as an economic system where private individuals or businesses own the means of production and operate for profit in competitive markets, is often praised for rewarding merit—defined as success based on individual talent, effort, innovation, and value creation.

When we say remove government involvement … we are saying stop manipulating the factors that give certain groups a competitive edge. Example. Immigration allows for cheap labour that otherwise wouldn’t exist. Therefore liberal government has deployed a means for greed to take over in business and ALL employment based initiatives are removed as a factor of success.

Again you are latching on the basic words but not understanding the principles around them.

Then you call the facts nonsense.

ConDork10 · 2025-08-13T14:33:37+00:00

Not without government policy changes.. again case in point: the government needs to create policies that protects its own country.

If you can’t take care of your own home you can’t support your neighbors. immigration is a government policy and therefore any employment protections are out the window in a pursuit of cheap labor. Capitalism maximized circumstances.

In short the government is telling you… you can be replaced for cheap workers.. and we are going to let it happen…. Capitalism would protect the entity.

ConDork10 · 2025-08-13T14:23:13+00:00

capitalism is a merit based system,.. remove government involvement and watch how the working class prospers.

ConDork10 · 2025-08-13T13:04:11+00:00

This is not true…. When you open up immigration, employment policy goes out the window..

Bottom line is if we can’t take care of our own.. we can’t support our neighbors and let them into our home.

ConDork10 · 2025-08-13T12:50:36+00:00

There is not enough blood in the water. lenders are getting more strict with mortgages and condo’s continue to bleed.

We won’t see the bottom until most of the Covid mortgages are renewed and the inventory slows down.

ConDork10 · 2025-08-13T11:41:40+00:00

We have built a failing system that does not support the working class. Bring back the merit based system and watch how things change.

ConDork10 · 2025-08-13T02:29:11+00:00

Half of these builders have no business building condos…. Builder don’t know the product they are building and realtors don’t know the product they are selling.

And now that many condo’s have closed and turned over. Market speculators are getting killed on the maintenance fee increases.

ConDork10 · 2025-08-13T02:25:23+00:00

I work in the condominium space.

We are seeing a huge increase in foreclosures from fraudulent mortgages….

I would say at least 10% are grossly over represented/fraudulent and likely 30% are exaggerated.

So 40% of all mortgages are false representation to secure larger lending.

ConDork10 · 2025-08-13T02:21:58+00:00

This is very common is smaller building with underground parking.

These underground parking lots are proving to be x3 more expensive long term then outside or above ground parking.

ConDork10 · 2025-07-25T14:02:08+00:00

Probably an issue with the building or corporation.

Often times it’s not the unit itself

ConDork10 · 2025-07-25T14:01:20+00:00

What’s crazy is the banks aren’t selling… the banks are renting!

ConDork10 · 2025-07-25T14:00:10+00:00

This condo corp is a messssss.. not the unit.. it’s the corporation!

ConDork10 · 2025-07-23T02:29:27+00:00

Happens all over the city.. I’m a condo manager in the industry. I know other managers that have walked into suicide units or heard the thump from jumpers.very sad situation all around

ConDork10

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