Impact of Bill 16 on Condominiums

Me Yves joli-Coeur, emeritus lawyer and RGCQ's president, was Interviewed by Frédéric Bisson on 104.7 FM Outaouais to discuss the major impacts of Bill 16 on condominium management in Quebec. This interview shed light on the key issues related to condominium maintenance and funding. The full interview is available for replay on the station’s website for those who want to learn more.

A Necessary but Demanding Legislative Reform

The certificate on the state of the condominium, introduced by Bill 16 and set to take effect this year, will require condominium syndicates to provide a comprehensive overview of their financial, material, and legal situation. This includes, among other things, the state of the reserve fund and the summary of major repairs carried out on common areas.

Within three years, all condominium syndicates will also need to establish a maintenance logbook and conduct a reserve fund study. This study will detail the amounts required to ensure proper maintenance and future repairs.

However, this requirement will lead to significant adjustments in shared expenses, especially in buildings where reserve funds have historically been insufficient. According to Me Joli-Coeur, “Condominium owners will need to prepare for significant increases, but these adjustments are essential to ensure the financial health and longevity of their buildings.”

Timelines That Challenge Current Practices

Bill 16 sets a three-year deadline to complete the reserve fund study and a ten-year timeline to reach adequate capitalization. These new requirements could not only affect the amount of shared expenses but also influence unit sale prices, testing property owners' ability to absorb these costs.

A Relevant Interview to Stay Informed!

In this compelling discussion, Me Yves Joli-Coeur analyzes the challenges of this reform and explains why 2025 could see a significant increase in condominium fees for many syndicates.

You can listen to the full interview replay on 104.7 FM Outaouais by following this link.