Loi 16 - Inspec-thor

Starting August 14, 2025, new obligations will apply to condominium syndicates.
In addition to carrying property damage and liability insurance, as well as maintaining a self-insurance fund, condominium owners and managers must also have a maintenance logbook and areserve fund.
They must also be able to provide, upon request, a certificate regarding the condition of the building..

The Maintenance Logbook

The maintenance logbook must detail the maintenance work to be carried out in the common areas as well as in the private units for which the condominium syndicate is responsible.
A key tool for managing the physical aspects of a building, it consists of two parts:

Planification

• Inventory and description of the common areas (materials, equipment, and installations)
• Installation dates of equipment (if known)
• Warranty contracts
• Maintenance manuals
• Current condition and estimated useful life
• List of major repairs and replacements planned over at least 25 years, with a timeline
ChatGPT said: • Required maintenance and frequency

Archiving

• Dates of maintenance, routine and major repairs, including costs
• Contracts related to maintenance work and active warranties
• Inspection/expertise reports conducted and maintenance manuals

The new regulation specifies that the preparation and review of the maintenance logbook must be entrusted to a member of one of the following professional orders :

• Order of Engineers of Quebec
• Order of Chartered Appraisers of Quebec
• Order of Architects of Quebec
• Order of Professional Technologists of Quebec

The maintenance logbook must be updated annually by the board of directors, but eviewed every five years by an authorized professional.
Small condominiums with eight units or fewer may have this review conducted every ten years, as well as those with a maximum of three fully above-ground floors, or if the residential building has no common areas.
Good to know :Maintenance logbooks obtained between August 14, 2023, and August 14, 2025, are valid if they were prepared by an authorized professional under the Law 16 regulations.
Condominiums that have not yet done so have until August 14, 2028, to complete this task.

Reserve Fund Study

Complementary to the maintenance logbook, this study aims to estimate the costs of major repairs to be carried out. Condominium syndicates must conduct a reserve fund evaluation every five years. As with the maintenance logbook, condominiums have until August 14, 2028, to complete this study, while those that have done so in the past two years should plan to renew it within five years. The professionals authorized to perform this task are the same as those who prepare and review the maintenance logbook, with the addition of members of the Order of Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) of Quebec.

Condominium Syndicate Certificate on the Condition of the Building

Prospective condominium buyers can request a certificate on the condition of the building from the condominium syndicate, which has 15 days to provide the document.

Information to Be Provided

• The amount of the reserve fund, along with details on its assessment.
• The history of condominium owners’ contributions to common expenses over the past three years
• Available cash reserves
• Annual surpluses/deficits recorded over the past three years
• The projected budget for the current year
• Une preuve des assurances de la copropriété
• The amount of the self-insurance fund
• Changes to the declaration of co-ownership over the past three years

The prospective buyer must be informed of any incidents that occurred in the past five years, as well as major repairs that have been completed and those planned for the next ten years. If there are any ongoing legal disputes involving the syndicate, the buyer must also be notified.

Summary of Obligations and Deadlines

• Maintenance Logbook : Authorized professional, by August 14, 2028; updated annually; reviewed every 5 or 10 years.
• Reserve Fund Study : Authorized professional, by August 14, 2028; updated every 5 years.
• Attestation du syndicat : remise dans les 15 jours sur demande, obligatoire dès le 14 août 2025.

For Further Information : https://www.hoodi.ai/article/loi-16-reglement-copropriete-adopte

Sources :

https://www.protegez-vous.ca/nouvelles/habitation/copropriete-quebec-precise-les-obligations-des-syndicats

https://rgcq.org/actualites/adoption-du-reglement-d-application-du-projet-de-loi-16

First, What Is Bill 16?

Adopted in 2019, Bill 16 is a major reform of condo law that aims to force existing condo associations to have a professional conduct a reserve fund study according to a cycle that will later be determined.

The purpose is to assess the condition of various common areas of a building to ensure there is enough money set aside for future major repairs and replacement costs.

When this regulation and implementation standards are adopted by the government, condo associations will have 3 years to obtain their first reserve fund study.

Act Now to Benefit from Several Advantages!

Here are four good reasons to act now by hiring a certified Inspec-Thor inspector from your area:

Avoid Special Assessments: Each month, condo owners pay condo fees to maintain and fund a reserve fund for the building’s upkeep. The law requires administrators to set aside at least 5% of the condo’s annual operating budget. Though this percentage can be higher, sometimes reaching up to 20%, owners may find themselves paying more to cover a shortage for necessary repairs. These “special assessments” can become a significant financial headache for some owners, in addition to being administratively complex! A reserve fund study can help avoid this situation.

Avoid Surprises: A reserve fund study helps accurately assess future maintenance needs and the funds required for those tasks. A transparent action plan allows administrators to anticipate upcoming work and set aside the necessary amounts to maintain the building and preserve the owners’ investment, without any surprises!

Improve Relations with Insurers: It’s reassuring for insurers to know that a condo association has the tools and means to properly maintain its building. Given the high number of claims, many insurers have left the condo market, and those who remain have significantly raised premiums and deductibles. A reserve fund study is a good way to negotiate and secure better coverage!

Increase the Property’s Resale Value: To attract potential buyers, it’s important to demonstrate the financial and physical health of a property—in this case, a divided co-ownership. A reserve fund study allows condo associations to manage their building more effectively by implementing the recommendations of a professional, such as an Inspec-Thor building inspector.

In Conclusion, although Bill 16 does not make the reserve fund study mandatory before 2027 or later, there are many advantages to obtaining it before the deadline.
For any questions or to schedule a reserve fund study, contact our team today.

Archives Catégories Bill 16

Bill 16 Adopted: New Obligations for Condominium Syndicates