The ABC’s of Condominium Types and Styles
As anyone who has ever looked into buying one knows, there are almost as many types of condominiums as there are kinds of people who want to live in them. While most of us tend to think of condos as high-rise apartment-style buildings, the fact is that residential condominiums can be anything from high- or low-rise (less than four-storeys) buildings, to town or row houses, duplexes, triplexes, single-detached houses, freehold plots, or even mixed-use condominiums that combine residential with partly commercial buildings.
In short, condominiums come in a wide variety of sizes and styles, offer diverse features and amenities, and can generally be found to suit almost any taste — and price range. For example, each province and territory has its own regulations regarding the registration, construction and operation of condominiums. Every condominium also comes with its own set of rules, regulations and bylaws, from restrictions on the number of occupants per unit to limits on pets, noise, parking, and when certain amenities may be used.
These rules are designed to ensure that the condominium is properly operated and maintained, and help protect the rights and enjoyment of each owner to ensure that the collective living arrangement remains peaceful and harmonious. This information should be readily available from the seller, the property manager, the Board of Directors or the condominium’s governing documents.
The boundaries of each individual unit can also vary considerably from one condo to another. Sometimes, the boundaries of your unit could end behind the interior drywall of the dividing walls, or might only go as far as the wall’s centre line — an important distinction, especially if you’re planning to carry out any alterations or renovations. For a freehold or bare/vacant land condominium, the individual unit may be the entire house, including the exterior walls, roof and even the land surrounding it. Therefore, before making a purchase, you may want to hire a professional surveyor to review the site plan for the condominium corporation, so you’ll know exactly where your unit’s boundaries begin and end.
In addition, some condominiums may have “exclusive-use common property elements,†or areas that are outside the unit boundaries but reserved for the exclusive use of the unit owner. Some common examples include balconies, parking spaces, storage lockers, driveways and front or rear lawns.
While these spaces are exclusive to your use, there may be restrictions on how and when you can use them. For instance, you may not be able to park a boat, RV or commercial vehicle in your assigned parking spot. Or, there may be specific restrictions on what you can place on your balcony.
So, before you make any firm decisions, be sure to carefully review and consider all the relevant options, rules and obligations, to make certain your new home will suit your expectations, your family — and your lifestyle.
For over 60 years, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has been Canada’s national housing agency, and a source of objective, reliable housing expertise. For more information about condominiums, or to obtain a free copy of CMHC’s Condominium Buyers’ Guide, call 1.800.668.2642 or visit their website at cmhc.ca.
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