Checklist for buying a resale condominium

Everything you need to look for and/or verify when purchasing a new condominium.

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  • Find out exactly where your unit’s boundaries lie and if your unit factor is reasonable.
  • Hire a home inspector to evaluate the condition of the unit you are thinking of buying, as well as the building as a whole.
  • Consider having an indoor air quality inspection done to identify potential mold, airborne particulates, volatile organic compounds, poor ventilation and odours from other units.
  • Consult the condominium’s technical audit and/or reserve fund study, if possible, to determine the condition of the building and common property.
  • Review the corporation’s annual operating budget, end-of-year financial statements and the estoppel or status certificate.
  • Be clear about what is and isn’t included in the purchase price so you can compare overall costs with other condominiums.
  • Find out what your monthly condo fees include and when they are likely to increase.
  • Ask your experts to verify that there’s enough money in the reserve fund to cover the cost of major repairs and renewal projects.
  • Find out whether any special assessments are anticipated, what they are for, how much they might cost and when they will need to be paid.
  • Investigate whether there are any “hidden” costs, such as long-term leases on building fixtures, which will be passed along to owners.
  • Ask what municipal services the condominium receives, such as garbage pickup and snow removal.
  • Check what new home warranty coverage remains on the unit, if any.
  • Confirm that there are no legal actions against the condominium corporation.
  • Consult with your lawyer before signing any documents.
Date Published: March 31, 2018