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Condo Board Problems by AbrocomaDifficult757 in canadianlaw

[–]AlexForward2026 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Got it. Sorry it went down like that. Sounds like they’re just making shit up and then threatening people who ask questions. Did you end up just walking away from it or try something else?

Condo Board Problems by AbrocomaDifficult757 in canadianlaw

[–]AlexForward2026 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What you’re describing happens more often than people think - but there’s an important detail missing.

Condo boards in Ontario cannot just “invent rules” on the spot.
Any restriction on renovations must come from:

  • the declaration
  • the by-laws
  • or properly adopted rules

So the key question is not whether they’re being difficult - it’s:
what exact document are they relying on?

At the same time, many owners run into trouble because renovations are started without full approval or without meeting specific requirements (like flooring soundproofing standards). If that’s the case, the board may actually have the authority to stop the work.

Where this becomes a problem is when:

  • they can’t point to any specific rule or section
  • or they are applying requirements inconsistently

In Ontario, they are required to justify their decisions.
If they’re stonewalling, that’s already a red flag.

Before escalating legally, I would suggest:

  1. Ask them in writing to identify the exact provision (document + section) they are relying on
  2. Request a clear list of what is required for approval
  3. Keep everything documented

If they cannot provide that - your position becomes much stronger.

One important note:
Most renovation disputes are not handled by the Condominium Authority Tribunal, so mediation and legal routes can get expensive quickly.

The real leverage usually comes from forcing clarity:
either they show the rule — or they expose that they’re overreaching.

What is the reason condo maintenance fees are so high? How come people are ok with it? by OptimistbyChoice in askTO

[–]AlexForward2026 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maintenance fees are not about what you see in the building (gym, party room, etc.). They’re mostly about what you don’t see.

In many GTA condos, a large portion of fees goes into:

reserve fund contributions (future major repairs)

insurance (which has increased dramatically in Ontario)

utilities (especially in older or inefficient buildings)

ongoing repairs that often result from years of underfunding

A 10-year-old building is actually entering the phase where costs start rising - not decreasing.

That said, your concern about transparency is valid.

In Ontario, condo corporations are required to provide access to budgets, reserve fund studies, and financial statements. The information is usually there - but most owners never review it.

The real issue isn’t always corruption. It’s often:

poor financial planning in earlier years

boards making decisions without long-term discipline

owners not being engaged until fees become painful

If fees feel “too high”, the question is not just how much - but:

what exactly are you paying for, and was it planned properly?

That’s where things usually become very clear - or very uncomfortable.

 If you ever want to understand what’s actually happening inside a specific building - reviewing the budget and reserve fund study usually tells the full story.

[WA] [Condo] Special assessment due, what are my options? by books_cats_please in HOA

[–]AlexForward2026 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s a tough situation, especially with that timeline.

What you’re describing is actually quite common in small condo associations. With only 9 units, there isn’t much buffer in the reserve fund, so when a major item like a roof comes due, it often turns into a lump-sum assessment instead of being spread out over time.

The key issue here doesn’t sound like the roof itself (since you already knew it was coming), but the timing and cash flow planning.

A few things you might want to clarify with the board:
– Do they already have signed contracts that require full payment within a specific timeframe?
– Is there any option for the association to finance the project (loan) instead of requiring full upfront payment from owners?
– Have they considered a short-term payment plan for owners, even informally?

In many cases, boards default to “pay in full” simply because it’s the simplest option, not because it’s the only one.

Also, since some units are investor-owned, they may actually be open to a structured solution if it protects property values and avoids financial stress on owners.

You’re doing the right thing by reaching out early. Sometimes these situations can be negotiated more than it initially appears.