Welcome to Condo's Corner!

Brought to you by Daulton Read, President of Read Property Management

Get ready for a weekly dive into condo living like never before with Condo’s Corner! Speaking from my perspective as a Condominium Manager, my goal is to entertain and provide valuable management insights and stories that can help you live your condo life a bit better—all with a little bit of wit, charm, and practicality.

Understanding the Tarion Process: A Guide for Ontario Condominium Owners

For new-build condo owners in Ontario, understanding the Tarion warranty process is essential to protecting your investment and ensuring your home is built to standard. The Tarion warranty for condos applies to both common elements (managed by the condo corporation) and individual units (the responsibility of the owner). Owners are specifically responsible for monitoring, maintaining, and reporting issues within their own units, and this guide provides an overview of key milestones, responsibilities, and resources available to condominium homeowners.

Who’s Tarion?

Tarion is a not-for-profit consumer protection organization established by the Government of Ontario to administer the province’s new home warranty program under the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act. Its main role is to ensure that buyers of new homes in Ontario receive warranty coverage for construction defects, delayed closings, and deposit protection. Tarion manages warranty claims, educates homeowners about their rights, and steps in if a builder fails to fulfill their warranty obligations.

Your New Home Warranty: Who’s Involved?

The Tarion warranty process involves multiple parties, including:

• Homeowners – Responsible for reporting warranty issues and maintaining their unit.

• Builders – Required to meet construction standards and address deficiencies.

• Condominium Managers – Support the board in maintaining common elements and facilitating warranty claims.

• Tarion & the Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO) – Oversee warranty services, dispute resolution, and homeowner resources.

What Does the Warranty Cover?

Tarion provides coverage in three key stages:

• Year 1: Covers defects in materials and workmanship, as well as ensuring the home is fit for habitation.

• Year 2: Protects against major plumbing, electrical, and building envelope issues.

• Year 7: Covers structural defects affecting load-bearing components.

Additional coverage includes:

• Deposit Protection & Delayed Closing Compensation

• Common Element Coverage (elevators, lobbies, parking garages, etc.)

Warranty exclusions include normal wear and tear, homeowner maintenance responsibilities, and unavoidable natural events.

Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI): Your First Look at Your Home

Before moving in, new condo owners will complete a Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) with the builder. This is your opportunity to document any deficiencies. Issues not resolved by move-in should be reported to Tarion using:
✅ 30-Day Form (first 30 days)
✅ Mid-Year Form (6 months after move-in)
✅ Year-End Form (last 30 days of first year)

Maintenance & Preventing Damage in Your Condo

Homeowners play a crucial role in maintaining their unit. Key tasks include:
✔ Controlling moisture with exhaust fans and dehumidifiers.
✔ Replacing HVAC filters regularly.
✔ Keeping plumbing and drains clear.

For a full list of maintenance tasks, visit Tarion.com for checklists and homeowner manuals.

Warranty Coverage for Condominium Common Elements

The common elements of a condominium (e.g., hallways, roofs, pools, elevators) are covered under a separate warranty. Coverage amounts depend on when your condo was purchased, with a maximum of $3.5 million or $2.5 million.

Key common element warranty milestones:
🔹 Performance Audits – Conducted between months 6 and 10 to assess deficiencies.
🔹 Repair Timelines – Builders must complete necessary repairs within set deadlines.

What Happens After You Submit a Warranty Claim?

Once you submit a claim via MyHome, the builder has a set period to resolve the issue. If they fail to do so, Tarion may step in through a conciliation inspection to assess the problem.

For emergency claims (immediate health or safety concerns), contact your builder first. If they do not respond within 24 hours, notify Tarion.

Beyond the First Year: Important Condo Milestones

• Reserve Fund Study: Conducted every 3 years to assess long-term maintenance costs.

• Annual General Meeting (AGM): Unit owners review the corporation’s financials and maintenance plans.

• Budget Review & Accountability: Ensures condo fees are allocated appropriately for building upkeep.

Where to Learn More

For more details on your rights and responsibilities as a condo owner, visit:
📌 Tarion.com – Warranty forms, homeowner manuals, and learning tools.
📌 MyHome Portal – Submit and track warranty claims.
📌 Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO) – Dispute resolution resources and condominium guides.

For additional support, you can also contact the New Home Ombuds Office for impartial guidance on warranty concerns.

Daulton’s Final Thoughts

Understanding your new condo’s warranty coverage is crucial to protecting your investment. The first year is especially important, as owners are specifically responsible for monitoring, maintaining, and reporting issues within their own units. Failing to do so means defects may go unaddressed, and you could end up paying out of pocket for repairs that would have been covered.

If you ever feel lost in the process, don’t hesitate to use the available resources—knowledge is your best tool in condo ownership!

Got a condo tale to tell or burning questions about condo living? Don't be shy—share 'em with me! Whether it's a funny story, a management mystery, a celebratory story, or just a nightmare, we're all ears. All you need to do is reply to this email so we can keep the content coming.

Make sure to share this newsletter with your friends, family, and, more importantly - that neighbour who could learn a few things!

Welcome to Condo's Corner!

Brought to you by Daulton Read, President of Read Property Management

Issue #16

Get ready for a weekly dive into condo living like never before with Condo’s Corner! Speaking from my perspective as a Condominium Manager, my goal is to entertain and provide valuable management insights and stories that can help you live your condo life a bit better—all with a little bit of wit, charm, and practicality.

Winter Preparedness: Keeping Your Condominium Safe and Sound

As fall fades away and winter settles in with a vengeance, Ontario condominium corporations need to be proactive in preparing for the challenges ahead. With a handful of major snowstorms already behind us, it's clear that some winters can be more intense than others. Proper planning and maintenance are essential to keeping residents and visitors safe and avoiding safety, legal and financial pitfalls.

Safety Starts with Common Element Maintenance

Ontario's Condominium Act, 1998 requires condominium corporations to maintain common elements, which often include walkways, parking lots, and shared outdoor spaces. Additionally, under the Occupiers' Liability Act, the corporation is considered the "occupier" of these areas, meaning it is legally responsible for ensuring the safety of anyone on the property.

During winter, this responsibility takes on added significance. Ice, snow, and freezing temperatures can quickly turn common areas into hazardous zones. To mitigate risks, corporations must go beyond standard snow removal and ensure comprehensive ice management, including salting and/or sanding.

Set Clear Expectations with Contractors

Working with professional snow removal and salting services is critical, but clear communication is just as important. Often, significant snowfalls separate the small companies from the large ones; when it comes to landscaping companies, finding out that your current contractor can't handle a major snowfall in the middle of said snowfall is not a good place to find yourself. Contracts with winter maintenance providers should outline:

• Designated Areas for Salting and Plowing: Specify all pathways, driveways, parking lots, and emergency exits.

• Response Time: Establish a timeframe for when contractors must be on-site following snowfall.

• Salting Charges: Specify salting charges that will be charged per application. These will vary on the amount of salt required to blanket the property.

• Snow Disposal Practices: Avoid creating high snowbanks that could obstruct views or create dangerous ice formations when melting and refreezing.

• Equipment: Specify the equipment the contractor plans to use for your property. Make sure it is sufficient.

• Insurance Coverage: Clearly state the contractor's commercial general liability (CGL) coverage.

• Indemnification Clause: This clause is included to protect the condominium and management provider.

For example, a condominium in Oshawa might specify that snow must be removed within four hours of snowfall and that all high-traffic walkways must be salted immediately after plowing. In St. Catharines, where lake-effect snow can accumulate quickly, budgeting for additional snow removal may be necessary to avoid dangerous conditions.

Don't Overlook Exclusive Use Common Elements

For some corporations, exclusive-use common elements, such as balconies, front steps, private walkways, or even parking spots, can create a grey area of responsibility. Generally, condominium corporations may choose to include snow removal for exclusive use common elements in their contracts with snow removal companies. However, if the condominium declaration assigns maintenance of these areas to the unit owner, owners of some condominiums may be surprised to learn that they may still need to purchase a shovel after moving into a condominium.

Verify Insurance Coverage

Winter is not the best time to find out that a contractor's insurance coverage is insufficient. The usual coverage limits for CGL can range from $2,000,000 to $10,000,000 for established snow removal contractors. Before the snow hits, condominium corporations should:

• Request Proof of Insurance: Obtain insurance certificates from all winter service providers.

• Review Policy Details: Ensure coverage includes liability for slips and falls, property damage, and worker safety.

• Additional Insured: It is a good practice to require the contractor to name the condominium as an additional insured on their commercial policy.

In Ontario, it's also wise to confirm that contractors have WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) coverage to avoid potential liabilities if a worker is injured on your property.

Establish Clear Policies and Communication

A well-prepared condominium corporation doesn't just react to hazards—it anticipates them. Develop and enforce policies that address winter safety, including:

• Signage: Use caution signs to indicate icy areas or closed-off sections.

• Resident Communication: Provide timely updates through email, newsletters, or lobby notices when dangerous conditions arise.

• Incident Procedures: Ensure staff and board members know the proper steps to take if someone is injured on the property.

For example, if a significant storm is expected, some snow removal contractors focus on clearing all their clients' main roadways quickly and then return to tidy up additional areas. Management can inform residents of this to avoid a barrage of complaints by informing them that certain areas will be cleared shortly afterwards.

Daulton's Final Thoughts

As winter blankets your community, you might notice snow removal contractors applying salt more generously than expected. While it may seem excessive, keep in mind that these professionals play a crucial role in preventing slip-and-fall accidents. Their job isn’t just about moving snow—it’s about ensuring the safety of residents and visitors alike.

Snow removal is a demanding, often thankless job that requires long nights, early mornings, and weekend work. Whether it's battling a blizzard or keeping up with back-to-back snowfalls, these workers are out there ensuring your property remains safe and accessible. So, if you happen to see them during their rounds, a quick "thank you" or a warm coffee can go a long way. A little appreciation can make the cold nights feel just a bit warmer.

A quick note and request:

As we continue to grow Read Property Management, positive reviews from individuals like you can make a huge difference in helping us reach more communities. If you’ve had a positive experience working with me, I’d truly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave a review. Your feedback not only supports us but also helps others see the quality and care we bring to condominium management. Best of all, it costs nothing but a few minutes of your time!

You may do so here - https://g.page/r/CeegrI40eRKzEAE/review

Got a condo tale to tell or burning questions about condo living? Don't be shy—share 'em with me! Whether it's a funny story, a management mystery, a celebratory story, or just a nightmare, we're all ears. All you need to do is reply to this email so we can keep the content coming.

Make sure to share this newsletter with your friends, family, and, more importantly - that neighbour who could learn a few things!