Questions
I’m selling my condo and I need to order some documents?Just click on the link below, find your condominium and you can purchase the documents require.
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I want to sign up for pre-authorized withdrawals of my condo fees from my bank account. How is it done?Print out this form (****pre-authorized debit payment form), fill it out and return it by mail, fax or e-mail with a void cheque by no later than the 25th of the month preceding the month of your first automatic withdrawal.Back to Top What do my condo fees include?The best way to check is by looking at your budget. You will receive your budget each year about 30 days prior to the beginning of the new fiscal year. The budget covers all the planned expenditures and includes a fee schedule for each unit.Generally, the fees include: common property insurance, management/accounting fees, the cost to complete audited financial statements, general property maintenance, landscaping and snow removal, common property (may include some unit costs) utilities (water & sewer, irrigation water, garbage bin rental, natural gas). A portion of your condominium fees is also contributed to the Reserve Fund. (see below for explanation of Reserve Fund) Back to Top Why are my condo fees different than other units?All condominium corporations are made up of 10,000 unit factors. When a complex is built the developer decides how the unit factors will be distributed among the units. Most often they are based on the area (square footage) of the unit. Therefore, a larger unit will have a higher unit factor and therefore a higher condominium fee.Back to Top Do my condo fees include utilities?If you live in an apartment building with central heating then the condo fees usually include the natural gas costs. If the building also has a central domestic hot water system, then this is also usually included in the condo fees.Most apartment condos are individually metered for electricity, so that bill is paid by each owner. Except on rare occasions the Cable TV is also the responsibility of the owner. Phone service is also the responsibility of each unit owner. Back to Top Can I pay my condo fees on a day other than the 1st of the month?No, most condominium corporation bylaws stipulate that condominium fees are due on the first day of each month. The fees are collected in order to pay for the normal operating expenses such as landscaping and utilities and to set aside reserve funds for the capital replacement items.Insight Condo Services ® transmits the pre-authorized withdrawals on the 1st of each month. Back to Top What does the condo insurance cover?The condominium insurance policy covers resultant damage to the common property and fixed portions of the unit.Example: a roof leak resulted in drywall and carpet damage in a common hallway and also in a unit. Back to Top Do I need separate insurance?Yes, each owner needs to get a condo package which will cover their contents. This generally will include personal belongings, furnishings, etc that move in with you and you will take with you when you leave.Exception: If you live in a bareland condominium then you need to check your bylaws to find out what the condominium covers. If the condominium only covers common property, then you need to get full insurance on the interior and exterior of the unit, as well as contents insurance. Back to Top What is a Reserve Fund?A reserve fund is money set aside for long term capital expenditures. The goal is to have enough money saved up to cover the major expenses when they are required. Capital expenditures are often described as major, non-annual expenses, such as painting, replacing fencing items, paving, roof replacement, underground piping, etc.Back to Top What is a Reserve Fund Study?A Reserve Fund Study is a guideline to help the condominium corporation set aside enough money to cover the capital expenditures when required. The study details all the capital expenditures for a complex, estimates the current age and condition of each component, calculates the remaining life, calculates the current replacement cost and uses inflation to calculate the future replacement cost. The study then calculates the annual contribution required so that the condominium will be sufficiently funded for upcoming expenditures.Back to Top What is a special assessment?If the condominium corporation does not have adequate funds to cover annual operating expenses or required capital expenditures, then a special assessment will be collected from the owners. It is in additional to the monthly condominium fees to cover added costs and is calculated by the unit factor of each unit, the same as the condominium fees are calculated.Back to Top When is the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and what happens there?The timing of the Annual General Meeting varies for each condominium. The two main things that happen at an AGM are the presentation of the previous year’s financial statements and the election of the Board of Directors. Depending on the fiscal year end for the condominium, the Annual General Meeting will usually be scheduled between 2 and 6 months after the fiscal year end. So if the fiscal year end is December 31st, then the AGM will usually be held between March and June.Back to Top What is involved in being on the Board of Directors?The responsibility varies for each complex. The Board is elected at an Annual General Meeting and must act in the best interests of the complex and all the owners in the daily operations of the complex. The Board will meet usually meet between 4 and 12 times a year to make decisions about various maintenance items, such as landscaping and snow removal. They will also approve the budgets by estimating the next year’s expenses and thereby the required condominium fees.The Board is also involved in decisions on major projects such as painting, roofing, paving, etc. It is the Board’s job to respond to owner complaints or concerns and ensure that the bylaws are upheld so that the complex remains an enjoyable place for all residents. Back to Top Still have questions?CONTACT US and we will please to help you out. |