The shared areas and facilities owned collectively by all unit owners in a condominium corporation, maintained and managed through condo fees. Common property includes lobbies, hallways, elevators, parking garages, pools, gyms, party rooms, landscaped areas, and the building's structural components (roof, foundation, exterior walls). All unit owners share the cost of maintaining common property through their monthly maintenance fees.
Why It Matters
The quality and condition of common property directly affects your property value and living experience. Well-maintained common areas signal a healthy condo corporation, while neglected common property can indicate financial problems or poor management. When evaluating a condo purchase, inspect the common areas carefully -- they tell you a lot about how the building is run.
Real-World Example
You move into a condo building near Eglinton and Don Mills with a resort-style amenity package: a 50-metre outdoor pool, two tennis courts, a full gym, a yoga studio, and a rooftop lounge. These common property features drive higher maintenance fees -- roughly $0.85 per square foot -- but they also attract quality tenants and support strong resale values. A neighbouring building with no amenities charges $0.55 per square foot but offers fewer lifestyle benefits. The choice depends on whether you value the amenities enough to justify the additional monthly cost.
Ontario & GTA Context
Under the Ontario Condominium Act, the condo corporation is responsible for the repair and maintenance of all common property. The costs are shared by all owners through maintenance fees based on each unit's proportionate share as defined in the declaration. Ontario courts have held that condo corporations have a duty to maintain common property in a state of good repair, and owners can take legal action through the Condominium Authority Tribunal if the corporation fails in this obligation.
How It Works in Practice
When evaluating a condo, walk through the common property carefully during your visit. Look at the condition of the lobby, hallways, elevators, and amenity spaces. Well-maintained common property suggests a healthy corporation with adequate funding. Neglected or deteriorating common areas are a warning sign of financial or management problems.
Common Questions
Can the condo corporation close amenities permanently?▾
Do common property amenities increase my condo fees?▾
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