The Hidden Costs of De-Condominiumizing

In a previous blog post, we discussed how a property’s condominium status can be terminated. We expect “de-condominiumizing” or terminating/dissolving condominium corporations to become a more common and attractive option for owners as buildings age and maintenance/repair costs increase. Real estate investors might also consider de-condominiumizing investment properties and conversion to rental apartment buildings. However, […] Read More
May 31, 2023

Is Your Condo Counting Special Resolutions Properly? Bill 19: Changes to Voting Procedures

Following publication of our last post, “Cutting More Red Tape: Long-Awaited Clarity on Legal Costs, Voting for Condominiums (you can read it here), I have received numerous inquiries from condo owners and property managers on how Bill 19 and proposed amendments to the Condominium Property Act will impact special resolution votes for condominium corporations in […] Read More
May 13, 2022

Cutting More Red Tape: Long-Awaited Clarity on Legal Costs, Voting for Condominiums

UPDATE: On May 5, 2022, Bill 19 is now in Second Reading. (CORRECTION: On May 5 we advised Bill 19 had passed Third Reading, however on that day Bill 19 was adjourned in Second Reading on amendment, and we apologize for any confusion.) On Thursday, April 21, 2022, Service Alberta Minister Nate Glubish introduced Bill […] Read More
April 22, 2022

Delayed: Alberta Condominium Dispute Resolution Tribunal

Field Law has just learned that the long-awaited creation of an Alberta Condominium Dispute Resolution Tribunal will not proceed this year as anticipated following the enactment of amendments to the Condominium Property Act and Regulations in January 2020. The Minister of Service Alberta recently delivered this new to industry stakeholders, including the Canadian Condominium Institute […] Read More
April 6, 2022

Exemptions Announced for Condo Manager Licensing

For the past few years, Alberta has been moving toward requiring condominium managers to obtain education and maintain provincial licenses. The Government of Alberta, through the Ministry of Service Alberta, selected the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to define and regulate a condominium management industry, separate and apart from other industries RECA oversees such […] Read More
November 14, 2021

Legal Costs for Condominium Corporations: A Refresher

The law relating to legal expenses in litigation involving Alberta condominium corporations is evolving, but remains far from settled. In several recent decisions of the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench (Toronto-Dominion Bank v Bachand, 2021 ABQB 271, Tutt v The Owners: Condominium Plan No. 7822572, 2020 ABQB 213), the Court concluded that legal fees incurred by a […] Read More
July 22, 2021

Coming Soon? Virtual Meetings for Condominiums

I was recently pleased to learn about the tabling of Bill 53 – Service Alberta Statutes (Virtual Meeting) Amendment Act. The Bill is scheduled for a continuation of Second Reading and debate during today’s legislative session. If passed, the Condominium Property Act, RSA 2000 c C-22 (the “Act”) would be amended so as to expressly permit condominiums […] Read More
March 18, 2021

Condo Corporations Now Permitted to Access Reserve Funds in “Emergencies”

In a significant move for Alberta condominiums, on June 1, 2020 the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta, the Honourable Lois Mitchell, approved an Order in Council to amend the Condominium Property Regulation, AR 168/2000. Among other slight changes to document retention periods, the amendments notably give condominium corporations the ability to temporarily remove funds from their capital […] Read More
June 2, 2020