Who is responsible for what when it comes to my unit?
As an owner, you are responsible for everything within your own unit including the attic. The condo association is responsible for everything outside a unit. The condo association has ownership of your front yard, back yard, roofing/siding and the structure that roofing/siding attaches to; essentially the wooden shell of your unit.
All flooring, ceilings, drywall, plumbing and electrical within your unit is your responsibility to have maintained and repaired by certified professionals when the need arises. See the Condominium Bylaws for Terra Rosa.
What are condo fees?
A condo fee is a dollar amount paid each month by the condominium owner to cover a proportional share of the common expenses of the property. These expenses can typically include, but are not limited to: gas; sewer; water, electricity for common areas; lawn cutting; snow removal; insurance for common areas; professional management, parking lot maintenance; legal and audit fees; as well as short- and long-term replacement reserve.
Is there a limit on how much monthly common expenses can be increased?
There is no maximum amount. Each year, the condo association board sets out a budget for current operating expenses and an amount to be set aside in the reserve fund.
What's the reserve fund?
As time passes, the necessity arises for repair and/or replacement of items such as the roof, balconies, sidewalks, roadways and the like. Should the condo association wait until these issues actually arise, a large amount of money would have to be collected in a short amount of time from the condo owners, in the form of a "special assessment." Rather than wait until that time, it is typically more sensible for the association to save a bit of money every month from each condo owner's assessment fee and put it toward the reserve, where it can grow and earn interest until such time when it is needed.
The reserve fund can only be used for large repairs and/or replacement of common area property. It may also be used for security for the complex.
As a condo owner, you have the right to examine the financial records of the association, including the reserve fund study. This study estimates necessary repairs and establishes a minimum balance for the fund.
The Condominium Act states that an auditor elected by condo board must prepare an annual report based on an examination of the financial records. The report must be provided to the owners along with the notice of the annual general meeting. Owners have the right to require the auditor to attend this meeting to answer questions.
Can I withhold my common expense fees until urgent repairs are carried on my unit?
No. As a unit owner, you are required to pay common expense fees even if you have a claim or dispute with the condo association. If you do not pay, the association automatically has a lien against your unit. This lien can be enforced, if necessary, by selling your unit.
Do I have to obtain my own insurance?
It is recommended that a condominium owner obtain insurance to cover any loss within his or her own condominium in the case of fire, theft or other unforeseen circumstance. Insurance for the common area and general liability around the property is covered in the monthly assessment fee. In addition, an owner should work with their insurance provider to have the condominium association’s insurance deductible added to their own private condominium. If it is found that an owner is at fault for damage to common property, they are liable to pay the condominium association’s insurance deductible.
Who takes care of things around the property?
Currently ICR runs the day-to-day operations in and around the property but the operational decisions lie with the condominium association board.
How does the condo association board work?
Can I request to review contracts the condo association has negotiated with companies carrying out major repairs?
Condo board is required to keep records of all contracts and, with some exceptions (see below) owners have a right to examine these contracts. You must make a written request and allow a reasonable time for the board to comply. There is no charge to examine the records, but you may have to pay a reasonable fee if you want copies.
You do not have the right to inspect the personnel files of employees of the corporation, or records relating to: actual or pending law suits, insurance investigations, specific units or owners.
Someone parked in my stall, who do I call?
Call Parking Office 306-975-8344 Open Mon-Sat 8:00am - 11:00pm 9:00am - 5:00pm Sunday. Police do not have the authority to tow vehicles from private property; however, tickets for private parking can be issued by the parking commissionaires.
Note: only a condo board member has the authority to have a vehicle ticketed if they are parked in a fire lane, visitor parking or any other area within the complex outside of unit owners’ stalls.
How do I get an extra parking stall?
Contact ICR with your request for an extra parking stall and they will help you. A single unit can rent only one extra parking stall. Pricing varies.
My neighbour's yard is messing with no upkeep.
Contact ICR to notify them about the problem.
There is a loud and difficult owner close to my unit. What can I do about this situation?
The condo board must take reasonable steps to ensure that owners and occupants comply with the Condominium Act, and with the board’s declaration, bylaws and rules. Report the owner to ICR and ask that they look into the matter.
You also need to call the police if the unit owner is loud (having a party/loud music) or you suspect something suspiciously dangerous is happening in the owner’s unit. Police reports greatly help ICR as they may document proof that the offending unit owner is not following the rules.
Can I rent out my condo unit?
Technically yes but you must contact ICR and discuss your plan for renting. Each situation is different but you will need to disclose all information about your renter that ICR and/or the condo board requests.
It is important that a unit owner understands they are still fully responsible for their unit and their renter. If a renter violates sections of the Condominium Act, Condominium Bylaws and/or Declarations of The Condo Board, the fault rests with the unit owner, not their renter.
Rent-to-own arrangements between a unit owner and a renter are not recognized by Terra Rosa Condominiums Corp as a transfer of liability to the renter. The name that Land Titles has for the owner of the unit is the only recognized owner by Terra Rosa.