Work of the syndicate of co-owners in the common portions

Every syndicate of co-owners has obligations regarding common portions maintenance. Article 1039 of the Civil Code of Québec provides that "Upon the publication of the declaration of co-ownership, the co-owners as a body constitute a legal person, the objects of which are the preservation of the immovable, the maintenance and administration of the common portions, the protection of the rights appurtenant to the immovable or the co-ownership, as well as all operations of common interest”.

However, this section was amended following the adoption of Bill 16. At the end of the first paragraph, referring to the syndicate of co-ownership, it reads the following sentence: "The legal person must, in particular, see to it that the work necessary for the preservation and maintenance of the immovable is carried out." 

In the event that the latter fails to maintain and preserve the immovable, the syndicate may incur civil liability. This means that it is bound to have the necessary work carried out to prevent deterioration of the common portions of the immovable. The declaration of co-ownership and other legal provisions impose this obligation.

In principle, the syndicate has the authority to carry out work in common portions. It is authorized to mandate the right people to restore them, as necessary. This work is usually decided by the board of directors, although in some cases, the general meeting of co-owners must vote for it to be carried out. The six sub-factsheets below explain the procedure to follow, so that the co-ownership work be conducted in compliance with the law.