Real Estate
Common Condominium Questions:
January 7, 2010 by Darlene Strang · Leave a Comment
This article focuses on the management of a condo building for first time buyers.
Common Property: Limited common property is owned by everyone in the building and typically includes areas such as: lobby, facilities, parking (with the exception of individual stalls), hallways, elevators etc. Basically common property is anything outside of your suite. Some common buildings may include windows and pipes as common property. Common property is often maintained by a property manager or condo board and is financed by condo fees.
Condo Fees: Condo fees include the maintenance of the building and common areas as well as a reserve fund (used for large upgrades or repairs, such as new roof, elevators etc.). Most condo fees will also go to pay all or at least a large majority of utilities (heat, water, power). Each building may work differently; however, most condo fees are based on the square footage of the unit.
Condo Levies: Condo levy can strike fear in the hearts of condo owners. A levy is a mandatory charge of x amount of dollars to every owner in a building and is done when major repairs or renovations must take place (or a voted upon) that cost more that the reserve fund can handle.
Condo Boards: A condo board is a group of owners that act on behalf of the building at large to manage the state of the building as well as finances, future projects and concerns of other owners. Structured as a corporation there is a president, vice president, secretary etc.
Before you renovate: Before under taking any renovation that may involve, pipes, taking down walls, or electrical, it is imperative that you a) have a contractor that known’s what walls are load baring, and b) that you gain permission from the condo board before starting any work.
Your Pet: Be aware of the buildings rules surrounding pets. Many condo buildings in Alberta do not allow pets and have been backed legally. Take a look at the buildings policies to be safe.
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