Quebec’s Retirees at Risk of Losing Their Homes: How Bill 16 Affects Condo Owners in Park-Extension

Dimitris Ilias
LJI Journalist
After years of hesitation, Quebec has finally introduced Bill 16, a legislative reform that will significantly change the way condominiums are managed across the province. While the new regulations aim to ensure better upkeep of buildings and prevent financial mismanagement, they could also create serious financial strain for many condo owners—especially retirees living on fixed incomes.
What Does Bill 16 Mean for Condo Owners?
Buying a condo isn’t just about owning a private unit—it also means shared responsibility for the upkeep of common areas, such as hallways, roofs, garages, elevators, plumbing, electrical systems, and the overall structural integrity of the building. Over time, these shared facilities require maintenance and costly repairs.
Until now, Quebec’s regulations on condo reserve funds have been vague. Many condo associations either didn’t collect enough money for future repairs or had no reserve fund at all. As a result, when major repairs became necessary, many condo owners were hit with sudden, hefty bills.
Bill 16 introduces three major changes:

  1. Mandatory Building Inspections – Independent experts (engineers, architects, or financial analysts) will evaluate the state of condo buildings and determine future maintenance needs.
  2. Adequate Reserve Funds – Condo owners must contribute to a properly funded reserve based on expert evaluations.
  3. Financial Transparency in Sales – Prospective buyers must receive detailed financial reports on the condo association’s reserve fund and overall financial health before purchasing a unit.
    The Financial Burden on Retirees and Low-Income Residents
    For many retirees in Park-Extension and across Montreal, these changes could lead to a financial crisis. Monthly condo fees are expected to rise sharply—some might even double or triple—to meet the new reserve fund requirements. In some cases, owners may be forced to pay thousands of dollars extra each year.
    This is particularly concerning for elderly condo owners who bought their homes years ago when prices and fees were lower. Now, with limited income from pensions and savings, they may struggle to afford the sudden increases. The difficult choices they face include:
    • Taking out loans or refinancing their homes, which is often difficult for older individuals with limited income.
    • Selling their condos, though properties with underfunded reserves may see a drop in value, making it harder to find buyers.
    • Moving into rental housing, though rents in Montreal, including Park-Extension, have surged in recent years.
    For many elderly residents who have lived in Park-Extension for decades, leaving their home isn’t just about finances—it’s about being forced to leave their community, neighbors, and support networks behind.
    What Can Condo Owners Do?
    If you own a condo in a building with little to no reserve fund, you should prepare for increased fees, potential special assessments, and even new mortgage payments. Before purchasing a condo, prospective buyers should thoroughly review the financial health of the condo association to avoid unexpected costs down the road.
    While Bill 16 is intended to protect the structural integrity of condo buildings in Quebec, it also presents serious financial challenges—especially for retirees and lower-income condo owners. Without additional support measures, many residents may find themselves unable to keep their homes, potentially leading to a wave of forced relocations.
    The future of condo living in Quebec is changing—but for many, this change may come at a steep cost.

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