Before you buy a condominium unit, it is important to collect and review a number of different documents. It is recommended you seek the help of experts like lawyers, real estate agents, and document reviewers to review these documents with you. They know what to look for to determine if a condominium is going to exceed your expectations or cause you endless headaches.
Listed below are recommended documents to collect and review before you buy, depending on whether you are interested in a new / conversion development or resale property. The lists below are not exhaustive and you should always consult your lawyer or real estate agent to ensure you have collected all necessary documents to make an informed decision.
Download printable checklists: Buying a New Condo: Document Checklist or Buying a Resale Condo: Document Checklist
Unsure of what new, conversion, and resale mean? Visit Choosing a Condominium for more information.
New / Conversion Developments
When you buy a new condominium, the developer has a duty to deal fairly with you when entering into, performing, and enforcing the purchase agreement. A developer is legally required to provide the following documents:
- Purchase Agreement
- Condominium Plan (or proposed condominium plan), including any Condominium Additional Plan Sheets (CAD)
- Bylaws (or proposed bylaws)
- Management Agreement (or proposed management agreement)
- Recreational Agreement (or proposed recreational agreement)
- Lease of the parcel of land, if the unit is located on leased land
- Mortgage, if it affects or will affect the title to the unit
- Phased Development Disclosure Statement (if the development is multi-staged and developer is using a phased development model)
If it is a conversion development, the following documents must also be provided:
Further Resources
- Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta – Before You Buy: Understanding Condo Finances (PDF, Alberta-specific information)
- Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta – Buying a New Condo: Document Checklist (PDF, Alberta-specific information)
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation – Checklist for Buying a New Condo (not Alberta-specific)
Resale Properties
When you purchase a resale or previously owned condominium unit, the seller is under no legal obligation to provide you with documentation about the complex. However, under the Condominium Property Act, a condominium corporation must provide the following documents within 10 days of receiving a written request from a potential buyer.
Note: A condominium corporation can charge a reasonable fee for preparing and reproducing any requested documents.
Finance & Operations
- Reserve Fund Report & Plan
- Budget & Financial Statements
- Annual Report
- Estoppel Certificate (details about condominium contributions)
- Statement outlining unit factors and criteria used to determine unit factors (information also included on Condominium Plan)
- Management Agreement
- Minutes of the general meetings of the condo board
For a complete overview of what you need to know about condo finances before you buy, download our free publication: Before You Buy: Understanding Condo Finances.
Bylaws & Rules
- Bylaws (will also be filed with the Condominium Plan)
- Recreational Agreement
- Exclusive Use Agreement or Lease for Common Property
Insurance / Structural Information
- Insurance Certificate
- Insurance Policy (corporation has 30 days to provide after receiving request)
- Details about post-tension cables on property (information also available with the Condominium Plan)
- Statement outlining any structural deficiencies the corporation has knowledge of at the time of the request
Legal
- Legal actions or claims against corporation, including outstanding judgment orders
- Any written demands against corporation that exceed $5,000
Additional Documents – Note: The 10 day timeline does not apply to these documents but they should still be requested and reviewed. Talk to your lawyer or real estate agent obtaining these documents.
- Condominium Plan, including any Condominium Additional Plan Sheets (CAD) – can be requested from Land Titles Office or Registry Agent)
- Certificate of Title – can be requested from Land Titles Office or Registry Agent
- Condominium Newsletters – request from Condominium Corporation
- Contact information for Condominium Board of Directors – request from Condominium Corporation, also available on CAD
- Real Property Report (for bare land units only) – request from seller
Further Resources
- Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta – Buying a Resale Condo: Document Checklist (PDF, Alberta-specific information)
- Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta – Before You Buy: Understanding Condo Finances (PDF, Alberta-specific information)
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: Checklist for Buying a Resale Condo (not Alberta-specific)
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: Physical Evaluation Checklist (not Alberta-specific)
The Condominium Property Amendment Act will change document disclosure requirements. This website will be updated when the new legislation comes into force.
Last updated: September 2015
