On May 27, 2015, Ontario's Minister of Government and Consumer Services announced the introduction of the Protecting Condominium Owners Act. The Act amends the Condominium Act, the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act and introduces the Condominium Management Services Act.
The new Act comes after a lengthy review process that generated over 2,200 submissions and 200 recommendations. The new legislation increases protections for condominium owners, changes how condo corporations are run, and requires property managers to be licensed.
If passed, the Act would establish a new Condominium Authority to provide dispute-resolution services, and will change the current dispute resolution provisions to require certain disputes be resolved through it. The government intends to fund the new Authority through a fee levied on every condominium unit in Ontario, currently estimated at $1 per unit per month.
Currently, Ontario has no minimum requirements for setting up a condo management firm or working as a condo manager. The Act introduces the proposed new Condominium Management Services Act that will set out (a) a compulsory licensing system for condo managers and management firms; (b) training and education for managers; and (c) a code of ethics for condo managers.
The Act itself is not online as of the writing of this blog, however for more information please refer to the Government's background information.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
