Definition of a building condition certificate
The certificate of the condition of a building is a document drawn up by a professional following a building inspection visit. In his report, the professional evaluates the current state of the different parts of the building and proposes recommendations for the correction, maintenance or replacement work necessary to maintain the building in good condition. This is to avoid premature deterioration of the elements.
The maintenance of the various components of the building is essential to preserve its integrity, both for its good functioning and for the aesthetic aspect of it.
The main components are, among others, the foundations, the structure, the vertical and horizontal envelope as well as the mechanical and electrical system. Each of these components consists of several elements, for example the vertical envelope includes the exterior cladding (bricks, stones, acrylic or other type of cladding), the air barrier, the cladding, the insulation and the cladding. steam.
These components have a limited useful life. Thus, the useful life of a French drain is about 25-35 years, the service life of asphalt shingles is from about 15 to 25 years, depending on the quality of materials and compliance of installation.
Building inspection
The building's constituent elements require regular maintenance work during their useful life, such as repairing brick mortar joints and maintaining or replacing sealing joints in the exterior envelope.
The homeowner may be able to do the maintenance and component replacement work on their property themselves. On the other hand, in large buildings which have several units and floors - where the owners have a responsibility with regard to the common and private parts - the question is more complex.
It is necessary to determine what work needs to be done, the order of priority, and whether certain components need to be repaired or replaced. Furthermore, the cost of the work must be assessed, and the amount required from the reserve fund must be established . The involvement of a civil engineer specializing in building construction is essential to assist the co-owners and the condominium association in this process.
Provident fund
If desired, the engineer can establish a reserve fund based on their findings regarding the condition of the components during the inspection. According to the Civil Code of Québec , at least 5% of common expenses must be paid into a reserve fund specifically for major repairs and replacements of common areas.
Article 1071. The condominium association shall establish, based on the estimated cost of major repairs and the cost of replacing common areas, a reserve fund, liquid and available in the short term, allocated solely to these repairs and replacements. This fund shall be the property of the condominium association.
From the building condition certificate, the engineer lists the major work to be undertaken in the years to come, forecasts the costs of this work and determines how much money the co-owners should put in their contingency fund. . In other words, the study of the contingency fund allows the Syndicate of co-owners to know the amount to be collected for Condo fees.
© The concrete slab of a condo balcony shows signs of deterioration