What Does Living at a “ Vacant Land Condominium ” Mean for Me? - by Jennifer Dickenson, Vice - President
pared to standard condo units.
There are a number of types of condo- minium. Of all the forms of condo- minium living, owning a vacant land condominium unit is the one that most resembles purchasing a lot in a regis- tered plan of subdivision. The main difference is that rather than the mu- nicipality assuming ownership of the roads and services within the subdivi- sion, the unit owners will share in the ownership of the roads and services as part of their common elements.
Change requests, maintenance or fi- nancial concerns should be presented directly to your property manager, who will share your concerns with the Board, at the next meeting. The Declaration decides if each unit pays the same or different monthly fee (see Schedule D), which is composed of expenses for common elements and often snow, lawn and garden mainte- nance. See the approved budget for more detailed information. Most units are only permitted to be occupied as residential or “private sin- gle family dwelling” units and may not be leased out as short-term rentals. The corporation’s governing docu- ments (declaration, by-laws, and rules) will include conditions or restrictions on the occupation and use of the units. An Ontario court says condominium corporations can ban unit owners from renting out their properties on services such as Airbnb. (Ottawa- Carleton Standard Condominium Cor- poration No. 961 V. Menzies). It should be noted, where a condo cor- poration has not enforced the rules in the past, does not mean that the rules are not binding. While the insurance for any buildings constructed upon the vacant land units must be obtained by the individual owners, the Corporation carries insur- ance with respect to the common ele- ments. Make sure you are covered not just for a condominium unit, but a vacant land condominium. A funding plan, called a Reserve Fund Study, is prepared every three years. It guides the Board on how much to save for the repairs and replacement of common elements.
Jennifer Dickenson, BSc (Hons), RCM is a condo- minium manager at Dick- enson Condo Manage- ment. She was elected to the CCI Board of Direc- tors at the AGM of 2016 and served in various posi- tions of the chapter. Jen- nifer is currently the VP of the Chapter. Effective June 1 st , 2020 she also as- sumed the duties as the National Representative for the Chapter.
Getting Started
If you are buying from a builder, you will receive a package of materials called a disclosure statement. This is provided to all original owners before the Corporation is registered. With a resale condo, you must request and pay a fee to receive a similar package called a Status Certificate, which is provided by the condo corporation. Both packages include copies of the declaration, which sets out the defini- tion of units and common ele- ments, and by-laws governing how the condo will be run. It's important to read your condo's declaration, and to understand the design standards and maintenance requirements. Homeowners are encouraged to be- come proactive in condo living by considering to serve on the Board of Directors when a position becomes available. There are usually three or five directors’ positions which are for three-year terms, with one coming up for election every year. The Board deals with changes visible from the outside, to maintain an aes- thetic at the complex, but your unit is not owned by the Corporation. Lower condo fees result from maintaining the property but not your homes, com-
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