The City of Toronto has recently announced that the registration system for short-term rental operators or hosts will launch on September 10, 2020. Homeowners who rent their principal home or condo on a short-term basis (a period of less than 28 consecutive days) must register with the City by the end of year and renew annually. In addition to registering and paying the annual fee of $50/year, operators must post the City-issued short-term registration number…

As of August 15, 2020, gyms and recreation spaces are allowed up to 50 patrons for each indoor sport or fitness room, with physical distancing of at least two meters. Now that Ontario has eased gym restrictions, condominium corporations should review their amenities reopening protocol, which might include a requirement that users sign a waiver of liability before being allowed access. But are waivers enforceable?…

As we blogged on July 14, 2020 – The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services intends to proclaim a “Condominium Guide” into force effective December 1, 2020.  Submissions from the public on the proposed contents are due August 14, 2020.  We made brief submissions on further potential headings for the Condo Guide table of contents.  These include status certificate and pre-construction condo purchase topics, first year deficiency and funding issues, conversion condominiums, and touch on the requirements for condo insurance, owner insurance and an explanation of standard unit vs. improvement coverage  In our view, the suggested contents…

When the City of Toronto first enacted its mandatory mask by-laws, condominiums were noticeably exempt. But after much feedback, the City of Toronto has amended its mandatory mask by-law to require masks in interior condo common elements such as hallways and elevators. By August 5, all Toronto condominium corporations must adopt a mandatory mask policy. GMA is pleased to provide its comprehensive COVID-19 Protective Measures Policy which incorporates the mandatory mask provisions as well as…

The Leafs are back on the ice, the Raptors are looking strong as they gear up to defend their championship and the Jays have taken flight. Things are looking good for Toronto and it doesn’t stop with our sports. On July 29, 2020, the Ontario government announced that Toronto will be joining its neighbours by moving into Stage 3 of the Province’s reopening plans (unfortunately for our friends in Windsor, they must wait a little…

In Beswick v. YRCC 1175, the court held that a condo should not have made exterior interlock and pavement repairs to townhouse exclusive-use common elements without first providing reasonable notice of the expected cost of such proposed repairs to the townhouse unit owners. In that case, townhouse unit owners were obligated to maintain and repair the steps and interlock on the exclusive use common elements in front of their units. The condo notified them…

GMA has almost 20 employees who, pre-COVID-19, were typically working in the office at 390 Bay Street, Toronto.   Many of our lawyers and staff were early adapters to remote work, with fully functioning home offices, a majority have been set up for years.   In that sense, we were prepared for the shift to remote work.  However, with reopening of more and more services,  I wanted to share my top links as GMA’s office manager.  These…