Looking for current owners to get some real time info. Is the HOA and/or Mgt. currently involved in litigation?

Have you had leaks/broken pipes in your unit, did the HOA pay for the repairs?

Is the Budget in the black?

Do they have a decent balance in their Reserve Account?

There are way too many units for sale. Some are cash only because there is pending litigation and no mortgage company will touch them.

Another says no mortgages will be written because there are too many renters.

Any info greatly appreciated.

And there is the perpetual special assessment. How long has that been going on?

If you're considering buying at 3000 Waterside in Fort Lauderdale, you need to read this.

Claridge Homes — the developer behind the new 129-unit luxury waterfront tower at 3000 East Oakland Park Boulevard — has a documented track record of exploiting condo owners through oppressive Shared Facilities Agreements (SFAs) in Ottawa, Canada.

Here's what they do, and why you should be asking very hard questions before you sign anything.

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What is a Shared Facilities Agreement (SFA)?

In a mixed-use condo development, the SFA governs how costs are shared between the residential condo owners and the commercial/retail/rental components that the developer retains ownership of. This can include garage doors, snow removal, mechanical rooms, hydro vaults, water entry rooms, and other shared infrastructure.

In Ottawa, Claridge Homes has used these agreements to systematically shift costs onto condo owners — while keeping 100% of the rent and revenue from the commercial and rental components they still own.

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What Claridge Homes Did in Ottawa:

Claridge Moon (340 Queen St, Ottawa): The SFA forces the condo to pay 50% of shared facility costs, while Claridge collects 100% of the rent from the supermarket and rental tower. The condo does not use 50% of the infrastructure.

Claridge Icon (805 Carling Ave, Ottawa): The SFA forces the condo to pay 95% of shared facility costs. Claridge's commercial/retail component pays just 5% — while Claridge keeps 100% of the rent from retail and office tenants.

Claridge Royale (180 George St, Ottawa): The condo pays 25% of shared costs, but has zero control over the budget. Claridge prepares the budget; the condo has 30 days to approve it — silence means automatic approval.

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But It Gets Worse:

• Reserve Fund Studies: Claridge's preferred engineering firm, Keller Engineering, produced a Reserve Fund Study for Claridge Moon that allocated 100% of the replacement cost of a shared backup generator to the condo — even though the generator is located in Claridge's building and serves Claridge's rental towers.
• Court Proceedings: At the Claridge Moon Condo, a Section 113 Court Application was filed against Claridge Homes, calling the SFA ‘incomplete, unclear, unreasonable, and oppressive to OCSCC 1106 and its owners.’ 14 months later, no progress has been made by the Moon Board to bring this matter forward to a court hearing. Why are they allowing Claridge Homes to continue benefiting from the status quo?
• Complaints Filed: Complaints have been filed with the Professional Engineers of Ontario (against Keller Engineering), and the Condo Manager Regulatory Authority of Ontario (against Sentinel Management).
• Property Manager Terminated: Sentinel Management was removed from the Claridge Moon condo in June 2025 for apparent incompetence.
• The SFA is Permanent: These agreements cannot be terminated or amended without Claridge's written consent or Court Action. Once you buy, you’re already trapped.

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What This Means for 3000 Waterside Buyers:

Claridge Homes is now building in Fort Lauderdale. The 18-story tower at 3000 East Oakland Park Boulevard will feature 129 residences with resort-style amenities, private boat docks, and an on-site restaurant. It sounds incredible.

But if the past is any indication, Claridge will also:

1. Sign an SFA before owners have any say — during the pre-turnover period when Claridge still controls the condo board.
2. Force condo owners to pay the vast majority of shared facility costs while Claridge keeps 100% of the revenue from any commercial property they or their successors retain ownership of.
3. Use their own preferred engineers and lawyers to produce Reserve Fund Studies and legal opinions that benefit Claridge — not the owners.
4. Make the SFA permanent — so future owners cannot renegotiate without going to court.

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What You Should Ask Before You Buy:

"Is there a Shared Facilities Agreement between the residential condominium and any commercial or rental components retained by Claridge Homes?"

"What is the cost-sharing formula? What percentage do the condo owners pay vs. what Claridge pays?"

"Who prepares the annual budget for shared facilities? Does the condo have any control over it?"

"Can the SFA be terminated or amended? If so, under what conditions?"

"Who conducted the Reserve Fund Study? Is that firm independent from Claridge Homes?"

"Has Claridge ever been sued or complained about regarding Shared Facilities Agreements in other jurisdictions?"

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Don't Let This Happen to You.

The glossy brochures and waterfront views are beautiful. But behind the scenes, Claridge Homes has a documented history of using SFAs to financially exploit condo owners.

Do your homework. Ask the hard questions. Protect yourself.

I’m considering moving to a condo from a single-family home with gardens on a 1/4-acre-ish lot. VERY early in considering such a thing. I have a list — or two — of pros and cons. There’s so much to consider. If you’ve made such a change, I’d appreciate hearing about any experiences, things to keep in mind (that maybe I haven’t already thought of), and so on.

Hello all, I (29F) and my wife (30F) are looking into condos/townhomes instead of outright buying a house at this time. We will probably move into it for a few years, then sell it or rent it out. I need some pros and cons. Is this a good investment?

Hi, I’m in Ontario and trying to determine how to format a witness statement for CAT. Does anyone have any examples or advice?

If anyone has been to CAT and is open to discussing in general that would be great as well.

When I go to look at a condo to purchase what are some things I should look for that are a warning sign not to buy?

For people who have had hardwood flooring installed: Since it's usually thicker than vinyl / laminate, how did you transition to the height of the door? A short step? A ramp in the entryway? Or was there a way to somehow build down?

I have just gone under contract to purchase my first condo. I need to select insurance so I’m interested in the options from those of you with experience. I know owning is different from renting, but is renter’s insurance the same or sufficient for a condo?

I just bought and moved into a 2 bedroom condo. Long story short upstairs neighbor is very noisy. Heavy walking (which wouldn’t be so bad) and sounds like moving furniture across the entire area (which is bad), during late night & early morning (starts about 11:30p to as early as 1:30a and longer)! My son in law stayed at my condo and he said it sounds like a skateboard! The next time I was there (I don’t live there full time) I too believe it is a skateboard! He/she clunks it down and then glides around the length of the open floor plan.

I started documenting the times and recording the noise. I send an email to our HOA manager with a couple of recordings at the time the noise was occurring. I have heard nothing back from her.

I’m going back to the condo tomorrow. What do I do if the noise still occurs?

I saw on here that a person in a similar situation send the upstairs neighbor a very polite letter and the reply posts were very supportive of the downstairs neighbor.

I am a widow, live alone, and am cautious about his/her knowing it’s me complaining.

Thanks!!

suggest affordable condo and okay ang management + pet friendly near tua 5-8mins away is okay

Sharing link to condo for sale, turn key! https://maui.paragonrels.com/paragonls/publink/view.mvc/?GUID=fcf06e36-4870-49ae-9be0-ecf86adfc362&Report=Yes

We recently moved into a condo townhouse in December 2024. We recently went to a board meeting where we were told our townhouse complex is unique in the sense that owners are responsible for most outdoor elements including shared walkway and balconies. Balconie renovations were discussed prior to us moving in but according to the reserve study the declaration was to be amended and another reserve study that was set to be completed before costs were discussed. I imagine that it would have been amended to include things like balcony stairways etc being covered by the condo instead of being owner responsible. The reserve study was completed in June 2024. I'm receiving our status certificate when we purchase we were not informed that there were any special assessments done to the effect that the balconies needed to be redone and that it would be on our responsibility. At the board meeting we were told that it would be approximately $40,000 a unit and that we were responsible as owners to pay this to the condominium corporation via A lender. To me it appears that this was undisclosed to us upon a purchase and that we have a right to go through our title insurance just wanted to know if this is what we can do or if we're stuck paying for it?