New rules for condosminium unit owners and developers in Alberta go into effect September 1. The Condominium Property Act and Regulation are the result of extensive consultations involving condominium owners, developers, condominium professionals and Alberta Government Services. The new Act, an update to the previous legislation, was passed in the Alberta Legislature this past spring

"By working with our partners we were able to come up with a stronger Act and Regulation," said Government Services Minister Patricia Nelson. "The new legislation strikes a balance between the best interests of consumers and owners and the needs of developers by resolving some outstanding issues that had existed."

"The new Act is a win-win for builders and consumers," said Greg Christenson, Chair of the Alberta Home Builders' Association's Condominium Property Act Committee. "For responsible builders and developers, there will be little or no problem dealing with the provisions in the new Act and regulations, while at the same time, there will be better consumer protection for Albertans."

Some highlights of the Condominium Property Act include the following:

• Mandatory capital replacement reserve funds to provide for major repairs;
• Greater disclosure requirements for developers when in discussion with owners and buyers;
• Recognition of mediation and arbitration to resolve disputes other than court action; and
• New rules and requirements for developers of phased condominium projects.

"The Alberta Chapters of the Canadian Condominium Institute are proud to have participated in the development of the revised Condominium Property Act and its Regulation," said past-President Ron Clarke. "As advocates for Condominium Corporations, and their unit owners, we have sought to protect and enhance their interests. We support the cooperative effort that has achieved a balance that reasonably addresses everyone's needs. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the Government of Alberta and other condominium interest groups."

Calgary-Bow MLA Bonnie Laing, who introduced the legislation said, "This has been a very extensive process, but the new changes still protect consumers while allowing for greater flexibility for everyone involved in the condominium industry."

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Media Availability: 9:30 a.m., Media Room, MacDougall Centre, Calgary. Minister Nelson, Mrs. Laing, and representatives from the Canadian Condominium Institute and Alberta Home Builders' Association will be available.

Backgrounder attached.

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The Condominium Property Act and Regulation outline how condominiums operate and are managed in Alberta. In this regard, the legislation covers:

• the powers and duties of the corporation
• the division of responsibilities between the corporation and the unit owners
• budget and financial matters
• by-laws, including changing and enforcing by-laws
• reserve funds
• management agreements, rental of units, and insurance
• requirements for annual general meetings and board meetings.

Owners can change the by-laws to suit their particular community by passing a motion to adopt the changes. All owners, and everyone occupying a unit, are bound by the by-laws of the corporation. If there is a conflict between the by-laws and the Condominium Property Act, the Act applies. The Act and specific by-laws give the corporation the right to impose sanctions, like fines, on owners who fail to comply with the by-laws.

Some of the information required to be in the reserve fund study report is; the common property that may need to be repaired or replaced within the next 25 years; the present condition of the property and an estimate when the property will need to be replaced or repaired; an estimate of the costs of repair or replacement of the property; the life expectancy of the component when it is repaired or replaced and a recommendation on the amount of money, if any, that should be included in or added to the reserve fund

The reserve fund must be kept separate from the general operating fund of the corporation. It must be in a separate bank account in the name of the corporation or similarly in investments acceptable under the Trustees Act.

• a statement that the building or land is to be developed in phases
• the maximum and minimum number of units in the entire project
• a description of the units and common property included in the initial phase and subsequent phases
• a description of the proposed physical appearance of each phase and its compatibility with other phases
• the extent to which the developer will contribute to the common expenses during the development of each phase and the entire project
• the method to determine the allocation of administrative costs in each phase and for the entire project
• the basis for allocating unit factors
• the effect on the owners' contributions for administrative expenses and the corporation's budget if future phases are not completed.

Once the disclosure statement is registered, the developer cannot change it without the consent of 2/3 of the owners who are entitled to vote under the Act. However developers can make changes necessary to meet zoning and municipal development requirements.

If the developer cannot or will not complete the project, the developer, the corporation, the owners or other interested parties can ask the court to make any number of orders allowed under the regulations to deal with the land and the expected improvements to the common property.

Mediation and/or arbitration are processes that involve using an objective third party. A mediator helps the parties negotiate their own resolution to the problem. An arbitrator makes a decision after all the parties present their cases.

All those involved need to agree on the process and on a mediator or arbitrator. If they cannot agree on a mediator or arbitrator, the Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society can appoint one for them. The parties involved pay the costs of the dispute resolution.

If an owner or any person who has a registered interest in a unit believes that there has been improper conduct by the developer, a corporation, an employee of a corporation, director or an owner, they may apply to the court to resolve the problem (Section 60.1(1) of the Act).

**The Canadian Condominium Institute estimates there are upwards of 6,000 condominium corporations in the province comprising in excess of 200,000 units and representing more than 400,000 Albertans.