Pets in Condominiums: Rules and Advice

For many people, a pet is part of the family. However, living with a pet in a condominium comes with certain responsibilities to preserve the peace, cleanliness, and safety of all residents.

What Does the Civil Code of Quebec Say?

The Civil Code of Quebec establishes several important principles regarding condominiums:

Article 1062: the declaration of co-ownership is binding on all co-owners and occupants of the building.

Article 1054: the building’s regulations may govern the use of private portions and common portions, including rules regarding the presence of pets.

Article 1063: each co-owner must exercise their rights without interfering with the rights of other occupants.

Therefore, even when pets are permitted in a building, certain rules may govern their presence and behaviour.

Main Rules to Follow

• Use a leash in common areas when required by the building’s regulations, particularly in hallways, the lobby, and elevators.
• Be considerate of your neighbours and noise levels. Frequent barking or repeated noises can become a nuisance for other residents.
• Clean up after your pet immediately, both in private portions (such as balconies) and in common portions (hallways, lobby, elevators, common terrace, indoor parking garage, etc.).
• Keep your pet under control so that it does not pose a danger or become a source of inconvenience for other occupants.
• Follow the building’s rules, which may also include restrictions regarding the number, size, or type of pets permitted.

Before Adopting a Pet or Buying a Condo

A few checks can help you avoid potential problems:

• Review the declaration of co-ownership to understand the rules applicable to pets.
• Check the building’s regulations, particularly any restrictions regarding the number, size, or type of pets permitted.
• Make sure your pet complies with the community’s rules and that you are able to meet the responsibilities that come with them.

Key Takeaways

Having a pet in a condominium is entirely compatible with good neighbourly relations, provided that everyone takes responsibility for their actions.

Being well informed before buying or adopting a pet, following the applicable regulations, and being considerate of others are the best ways to avoid conflicts and promote harmonious living with your neighbours.

Condominium Sale: How Long Does It Take to Obtain the Required Documents?

When a real estate transaction is underway, it is understandable that clients want the necessary documents to be prepared quickly. After all, buying, selling, or refinancing a property is often an important step that people look forward to completing. However, certain timelines are necessary to verify information, conduct the required checks, prepare documents, and complete the necessary administrative steps.

In the case of a condominium, the syndicate also has obligations to fulfill as part of a transaction. Collecting, verifying, and providing the requested documents and information requires a certain amount of time to ensure that accurate information is communicated to the various parties involved. These timelines are not simply administrative formalities. They help ensure that the information provided is accurate and that the documents reflect the property’s actual situation.

Here are the main reasons why time is required to process and prepare a real estate file.

Receiving the Request

Requests are handled in the order in which they are received. Any request received outside business hours, in the evening, on weekends, or on statutory holidays is considered received when the next business day begins. The request is generally processed within 48 business hours of receipt.

This timeframe allows the file to be opened, a preliminary review to be conducted, and the documents and information required to proceed with the mandate to be identified.

Verification and Validation

Before preparing the documents, it is necessary to confirm the identity of the parties, the property address, the transaction date, and other relevant information. This validation helps prevent errors that could have significant consequences at the time of signing or after the transaction.

Preparing the Documents

Preparing documents, whether it is a DRCOP (Request for Information on the Co-ownership), a syndicate certificate, or a statement of charges intended for the notary, requires analysis and verification that takes time.

Each request must be handled individually, even when it relates to a transaction that is already underway or for which documents have previously been issued. Before a document is sent, all information must be reviewed again to ensure that it accurately reflects the syndicate’s current situation and contains the most up-to-date information.

This process includes verifying common expenses, outstanding receivables, administrative files, legal disputes, insurance claims, and any other relevant information that could have an impact on the transaction.

These verification steps explain not only the processing timelines but also the fees associated with preparing these documents. These fees are intended to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and compliance of the information provided.

The Civil Code of Québec

Under Article 1068.1 of the Civil Code of Québec, “the syndicate shall provide the co-owner who so requests with the certificate within 15 days.”

Although this timeframe may seem lengthy in the context of a real estate transaction, it allows the syndicate to carry out the necessary verifications to ensure that the information provided is complete, accurate, and up to date. These checks help protect both the seller and the buyer by ensuring that reliable information consistent with the actual situation of the condominium is communicated.

We therefore encourage co-owners to anticipate their requests as early as possible and to take these timelines into account when planning their transaction. Making a request early in the process helps avoid urgent situations, facilitates the progress of the transaction, and ensures that all parties can obtain the information they need as efficiently as possible.

Stéphanie Pitre,
Administration Supervisor
514 935-6999
[email protected]