MONEY 401 Those who want to be left alone to follow their own desires should look elsewhere,
Condo living requires flexibility, co-operation and compromise... words you don't see often in developers' ads.
It's not the right place for you if you want to be left alone to follow your own desires.
Moving into a condominium development means obeying its rules, even if you disagree with them.
You may have to leave your cat or dog behind.
You may be restricted from putting decorations on your front door.
You may be prohibited from renting out your unit for short periods.
These rules make sense in terms of avoiding conflicts among people trying to live closely and peacefully together.
Short-term rentals, for example, can be disruptive to long-term owners.
'If tenancies of under six months are permissible, you risk buying into a building that is really just a disguised hotel,' says Keith Bricknell, a condo owner in downtown Toronto.
'You will never really get to know or trust your neighbours, because some of them will be changing, as often as daily.
'Unfortunately, that has implications for things like security and the care that residents take in avoiding damage to the common elements.'
This is an extra dimension you rarely hear about when you move into a condo. You learn about it through experience.
You will be governed by a condo corporation, which can pass bylaws of all kinds. It has the power to raise your monthly fees and levy a special assessment for upgrades.
Continued...
Refu"
Condo living requires flexibility, co-operation and compromise... words you don't see often in developers' ads.
It's not the right place for you if you want to be left alone to follow your own desires.
Moving into a condominium development means obeying its rules, even if you disagree with them.
You may have to leave your cat or dog behind.
You may be restricted from putting decorations on your front door.
You may be prohibited from renting out your unit for short periods.
These rules make sense in terms of avoiding conflicts among people trying to live closely and peacefully together.
Short-term rentals, for example, can be disruptive to long-term owners.
'If tenancies of under six months are permissible, you risk buying into a building that is really just a disguised hotel,' says Keith Bricknell, a condo owner in downtown Toronto.
'You will never really get to know or trust your neighbours, because some of them will be changing, as often as daily.
'Unfortunately, that has implications for things like security and the care that residents take in avoiding damage to the common elements.'
This is an extra dimension you rarely hear about when you move into a condo. You learn about it through experience.
You will be governed by a condo corporation, which can pass bylaws of all kinds. It has the power to raise your monthly fees and levy a special assessment for upgrades.
Continued...
Refu"
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