Repairs after damage

Condo owners are generally responsible for repairing damage to decorative and non-standard unit elements. Definitions of a standard unit vary among condos. Check your condo’s governing documents first when dealing with a repair issue so you can understand your exact obligations with respect to your unit and the common elements. Our Condo Owners’ Guide has more helpful information. You can also raise your questions with your condo board or manager.

Staff from your condo corporation, or a person authorized by the corporation, has the right to enter condo units for such things as repairing damages to or maintaining the common elements, performing routine inspections, and ensuring compliance with the condo’s governing documents and the Condo Act after providing reasonable notice to the owner. They can also enter a unit without reasonable notice in the case of an emergency, such as a fire or water leak.  

Condo corporations are responsible for repairing damages to the standard unit as defined in your condo’s governing documents. Corporations must address damages caused by an owner, tenant or resident by charging the owner with the cost of the repair or the corporation’s insurance deductible – whichever is less.  Owners must repair everything outside of that standard unit definition no matter how the damage was caused. It is a good idea to have insurance that covers you for things like flooding, fire and other issues that could be caused by other units. Some condo corporations may require that you get insurance against these. Be sure to review your condo’s governing documents to understand owners’ repair after damage obligations.

Condo corporation must be insured against major issues, such as fire, water leaks, vandalism and more. Owners are not required by law to have insurance but should get insurance and may be required by their condo’s governing documents to do so. The CAO recommends condo unit owners speak to insurance brokers so they can understand the best coverage that can protect them. Read more about insurance and deductibles.