A condo purchase includes more than the unit itself. You also share decisions, costs, and responsibilities with other owners, and the answers can affect your budget and daily routine. Before making an offer, ask the seller, property manager, and condominium corporation clear questions about maintenance, records, common areas, and rules. Request supporting documents where possible, and have a qualified professional review the unit. Specific answers can help you spot unanswered questions before you commit.
Ask About Maintenance
Find out what has been repaired or replaced inside the unit, and ask whether any work is unfinished. Ask about leaks, moisture, plumbing, electrical systems, windows, heating and cooling equipment, and past insurance claims. When did the issue occur, who completed the repair, and are invoices or warranties available? Written records help you distinguish a completed repair from a problem that may need follow-up.
Ask how the condo corporation handles repairs to shared building systems and exterior components. Clarify which parts are the owner’s responsibility and which are maintained by the corporation; the dividing line can depend on the condo’s governing documents. Ask whether planned work could affect your unit or monthly costs. A home inspection can assess visible conditions, but it does not replace a review of corporation records or uncover every concealed issue.
Review Condo Documents
Request the documents available for review before you make an offer, or include an appropriate review condition in the offer. Ask for the declaration, bylaws, rules, recent meeting minutes, budget, financial statements, reserve fund information, insurance details, and any status or information certificate that applies. Ask when each record was prepared and whether newer versions are available. These materials can explain restrictions, planned projects, financial pressures, and how decisions are made.
Look for signs that deserve follow-up, not just a single headline number. Meeting minutes may mention recurring repairs, disputes, or proposed work. Financial records can show whether fees cover operating costs and whether the reserve fund is intended to address major repairs. Ask about any special assessments, fee increases, lawsuits, or insurance claims, including items under discussion but not yet approved. Have a lawyer familiar with Ontario condominium purchases review the documents and explain their implications.
Check Shared Areas
Visit the building and inspect the common areas you will use, such as the lobby, hallways, elevators, parking garage, storage areas, and outdoor spaces. Ask who maintains each area, how often it is serviced, and whether repairs or upgrades are planned. Note visible signs of water damage, poor upkeep, or equipment that appears out of service. Ask the property manager or seller about anything you cannot verify during the visit.
Confirm what comes with the unit and what requires separate permission or payment. Ask whether the parking space and locker are owned, assigned, or rented, and whether their location or use can change. For amenities such as a gym, pool, or party room, check access hours, booking procedures, guest rules, and any user fees. Ask whether pets, renovations, moving, or deliveries have specific requirements that could affect your plans.
Clarify Owner Responsibilities
Ask what the monthly condo fee includes and how it is calculated. Confirm whether it covers items such as water, heat, building insurance, maintenance, or amenities, and which utilities you pay separately. Ask how fees have changed and whether an increase or special assessment is being considered. Do not assume that a low fee means lower overall costs; review the budget and upcoming maintenance needs alongside the amount.
Ask what insurance you must carry and what the corporation’s policy covers. Find out whether owners must arrange repairs or notify the corporation when a problem involves a shared system. Review rules for renovations, flooring, noise, smoking, pets, leasing, and short-term rentals, and check whether approvals are needed. London Condo Inspectors can help you assess the unit’s visible condition; direct legal, financial, and rule questions to the appropriate professionals.
Before making an offer, write down your questions and request answers and records in writing. Compare what you learn with the condo’s rules, financial documents, and the unit’s observed condition. If an important detail remains unclear, pause and seek advice from a condominium lawyer or qualified inspector. A careful review helps you make a more informed decision about whether the condo fits your needs.