A "condominium" refers to a form of legal ownership, as opposed to a style of construction. Condominiums are most often thought of as high-rise residential buildings, but this form of ownership can also apply to townhouse complexes, individual houses, and low-rise residential buildings. Condominiums are also known as strata in British Columbia or syndicates of co-ownership in Quebec.
Condominiums consist of two parts. The first part is a collection of private dwellings called 'units'. Each unit is owned by and registered in the name of the purchaser of the unit. The second part consists of the common elements of the building that may include lobbies, hallways, elevators, recreational facilities, walkways, gardens, etc. Common elements may also include structural elements and mechanical and electrical services. The ownership of these common elements is shared amongst the individual unit owners, as is the cost for their operation, maintenance, and ongoing replacement.
Each unit owner has an undivided interest in the common elements of the building. This ownership interest is often referred to as a 'unit factor'. The unit factor for any particular unit will generally be calculated in proportion to the value that the unit has in relation to the total value of all of the units in the condominium corporation. The unit percentage is in the common elements and will be used in calculating the monthly fees that you must pay towards their upkeep and renewal.
The creation of a condominium is regulated by provincial or territorial condominium legislation and municipal guidelines. It can be created in many different ways. In some provinces, a developer, or other interested parties, may register a declaration to create a condominium, while in others, an application may be made to have title issued for the units pursuant to an "approved plan of condominium". The operation of condominiums is also governed by provincial or territorial legislation and the condominium corporation's own declaration, bylaws and rules.
Once a condominium corporation has been established, a board of directors, elected by, and generally made up of, the individual condominium owners, takes responsibility for the management of the corporation's business affairs. There is usually a turnover meeting where this transfer of responsibility takes place. Each unit owner has voting rights at meetings. Your voting rights will generally be in proportion to your unit factor.
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