Article Library
CONDOCENTRIC: The Bureau: A Missed Opportunity?
From development to the end-use state, the condominium community is fraught with conflict that must be addressed. What makes this industry ripe for creative, non-litigious dispute resolution is the need for healthy, ongoing relationships among most, or all, stakeholders involved.
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CONDOCENTRIC: Beyond The Boardroom
Mr. Erwin E. Hart and Mr. Harry Bhalla have 30 years and 12,614 kilometres between them, yet they remain the best of friends. Before Mr. Bhalla left Canada in 1997, he and Mr. Hart were both owners in the same condominium corporation. Out of a mutual concern with respect to …
CONDOCENTRIC: Good Corporate Governance: Practice Tips
What is Corporate Governance? Why is it important? Corporate Governance refers to the system by which entities are directed and controlled. Corporate Governance is the set of processes and procedures by which an entity's objectives are established, achieved and monitored.
…CONDOCENTRIC: Parking Issues
Improperly parked motor vehicles on condominium property continue to create headaches for condominiums, unit owners, and their guests. To complicate matters, many municipalities are in the process of redrafting their parking by-laws. The city of Toronto, for example, has a new parking by-law, which is scheduled to come into effect …
CONDOCENTRIC: The Shortage of Lawyers in Kingston
In a letter to Shirley Ballantyne, a member of the ACMO Regional Committee in Kingston, Richard Elia, LL.B., addressed the apparent problem of a shortage of experience condominium lawyers in the Kingston area. A copy of Elia’s letter was received by CM Condominium Manager and we think it will be …
CONDOCENTRIC: The Standard Unit By-Law: What it is - NOT!
From inquiries that I continue to receive, it appears that there is still some general misunderstanding concerning the purpose and limitations of the standard unit by-law.
A Standard Unit By-law IS:
1. A means of determining what constitutes an improvement to a unit (and might include floor coverings, …
CONDOCENTRIC: INSURANCE: Case Law Revisited
CASE 1: Miluzzi v. York Condominium Corporation No. 60 (1996 – Small Claims Court)
The facts in this case are straightforward: The plaintiff’s unit was flooded; the plaintiff’s insurer repaired the damage and sought recovery from York Condominium Corporation No. 60. The primary issue was whether condominium insurance can exist with …
CONDOCENTRIC: DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS LIABILITY INSURANCE - Claims Made Form
With the increasing responsibility being placed on directors and officers of residential condominium corporations, there appears to be an increasing number of questions surrounding the Directors and Officers’ Liability (“D&O Liability”) coverage provided under a condominium corporation’s policy of insurance.
…CONDOCENTRIC: Property Managers and Professional Advice
Imagine the following scenario: A Director is concerned about the actions being taken by the Board and by property management, particularly regarding the adamant refusal to retain the services of a lawyer from time to time. The cautious Director retains, at his own expense, a condominium lawyer to attend at …
CONDOCENTRIC: Smoke Detectors - Worth Restating
Responsibility for the installation and operation of smoke detectors in condominium units was clarified by the courts a few years ago, following two (2) separate fires in the same weekend in the same Etobicoke condominium corporation. While most condominium corporations take the responsibility of ensuring that smoke detectors are in …
