Ontario condo owners furious after being hit with $20,000 special assessment
Country Lane Estates in Aurora, Ont. is a community of about 200 townhouse condominium units. Recently, the board of directors sent a notice to owners that $3.5 million is needed for renovations and individual unit owners will have to pay their share.
“I just want answers and they won't give us answers to anything," said Lori West-Ritza, a unit owner who has lived in the development for the past three years.
West-Ritza told CTV News Toronto she has concerns about the repairs because her balcony was removed from her unit 10 months ago and a fence has been put up around her property.
She pays $740 a month in maintenance fees and she has been told she must pay a special assessment of $19,687 by next month.
“That is a lot of money to hand over and we are being told there won’t be any work done for a year. We are also not being told what work is being done with this money,” West-Ritza said.
The townhouse complex also has an in-ground swimming pool, but despite the hot, humid summer, it is not open and residents said it was not opened at all this year.
Other residents at the complex also contacted CTV News with concerns about the special assessment but did not wish to be identified for the story.
In the letter to owners, it says the board of directors approved a special assessment of $3.5 million which will allow for the completion of approved projects including balcony, window, carport and door replacements, as well the continuation of roof repairs and repairs to reopen the pool.
CTV News called and emailed the property manager of the development several times and did not get a response.
The Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO) is a group that tries to help condo owners, buyers, managers and directors deal with problems facing developments such as special assessments and the underfunding of reserve funds.
“These are concerning situations and we certainly empathize with the owners facing a special assessment," said CEO of CAO Robin Dafoe.
Dafoe added, “We hear from boards all the time that are trying to manage and balance the interests of the owner’s budgets and preserving the value of the condominium."
The Condo Owners Association (COA) is a group that also tries to advise condo owners on financial matters and said they are hearing more complaints about special assessments and escalating maintenance fees that are not topping up reserve funds.
Linda Pinizzotto, the founder and president of the COA, said anyone asked to pay a special assessment should be able to get clear answers as to exactly what the money is being used for.
“If the board is not calling a special meeting to discuss these kinds of expenses, especially large expenditures, chances are you already have a problem," Pinizzotto.
West-Ritza said she has been given until Sept. 5 to pay the special assessment of almost $20,000.
“I mean they threatened a lien on our property if it doesn't get paid," said West-Ritza.
The CAO added that inflation is also making everything more expensive including the cost to maintain and repair condo buildings.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.