Blog Post 1
Bill 16for divided co-ownership condos
What Montréal Condo Buyers & Sellers Should Know About Bill 16
2. What Montréal Condo Buyers & Sellers Should Know About Bill 16?
Thinking about buying or selling a condo in Montréal maybe in Lachine, the West Island, or downtown and wondering what’s changing with Bill 16? You’re not alone. Québec’s condo law is getting its biggest update in over 50 years, and understanding the basics can help you make confident decisions.
3. What Is Bill 16?
Adopted in December 2019, Bill 16 modernizes Québec’s divided co-ownership (condo) laws for the first time since 1969. It aims to improve transparency, planning, and protection for all co-owners — so everyone knows the real condition and financial health of their building. Most of the new regulations take effect August 14, 2025.
4. A Quick Bit of History
In ancient Rome, legal texts describe insulae — multi-story apartment buildings where individuals could own parts of a structure.
The idea of condo living started centuries ago with shared urban housing, was formalized in France in the 1930s, and took off in North America in the 1960s with Québec among the first to adapt it to Canadian law.
Divided co-ownership — what we call “condos” — was officially introduced in Québec in 1969, inspired by France’s copropriété divise model. It allowed people to own their individual unit, while sharing ownership of common areas like the roof, corridors, and gardens. Over time, however, the law hadn’t kept pace with aging buildings and more complex ownership structures — which is why Bill 16 was needed.
1969 — Québec officially introduced divided co-ownership (condominiums) into the Civil Code of Québec through Bill 33, which came into force that same year.
The concept was inspired by European models (especially France’s “copropriété divise”) — adapted for Québec’s legal
5. Key Changes You Should Know
Every condo building must now keep a detailed maintenance logbook showing its condition, components, and long-term repair plans. It has to be updated yearly and reviewed by a professional every 5 to 10 years (depending on the building’s size). Note: For smaller buildings: The “every 10-years review” option for small condos may apply in some cases — good to know when advising clients in small-scale co-ops or boutique buildings.
Contingency Fund (Reserve Fund) Study
A professional must conduct a reserve fund study every 5 years to ensure the building is saving enough for major future repairs.
Buyer Deposit Protection- Deposits for new or certain resale condos must now be held in trust by a notary, lawyer, CPA, or certified administrator — protecting buyers if something goes wrong.
Syndicate Attestation (Certificate on the Condition of the Co-ownership) - Starting August 14, 2025, this new document becomes mandatory whenever a condo unit is sold. It’s the building’s “health report,” prepared by the condo syndicate (board). It must include:
details from the maintenance logbook
the status of the reserve fund and recent study
planned or ongoing major work
insurance coverage and any claims
pending legal issues
recent amendments to the declaration of co-ownership.
For buyers, it means full transparency before you buy. For sellers, it means being ready and compliant — so your sale isn’t delayed by missing documents.
“The new syndicate attestation is really about peace of mind — for both buyers and sellers. It helps everyone see the full picture before a sale, so there are fewer surprises after moving in.”
6. Key dates
1. August 14, 2025 → Main new obligations take effect
2. By August 14 2028 → All existing condos must have a compliant logbook and fund study
ResourcesChatGPT, using verified references from Québec government and real estate law sources.Gazette officielle du Québec on July 30, 2025www.rgcq.org
