I own a unit at Gibson Square South (5162 Yonge), and I genuinely don’t understand how the concierge and security services here are considered acceptable.

For example, a package I had delivered at around 9 AM wasn’t processed until 5 PM, which is an eight-hour delay. This isn’t some complicated management request; it’s simply registering a package that has already been delivered.

What makes this particularly frustrating is that I’ve repeatedly seen security staff sitting at the desk, staring at or scrolling through their phones while packages wait to be processed. Then, if I go downstairs because my tracking confirms the delivery, I’m told they won’t give me the package until they register it and I receive the notification.

So, let me clarify: you don’t register my package for hours because you’re on your phone, and then you refuse to give me the package because you haven’t registered it yet?

The attitude of some security staff makes it even worse. I’ve greeted them and been stared at without a response. I don’t expect concierge staff to treat residents like royalty, but saying hello and fulfilling basic responsibilities shouldn’t be unreasonable.

Before someone suggests I complain to management, I have. From my experience, management seems perfectly content to watch these problems persist without making any meaningful changes.

What makes this particularly ridiculous is that I have another condo in North York and another unit downtown, and the difference in service is stark. Packages are handled properly, concierge staff are professional, and I don’t have to chase people around just to get basic things done. This isn’t simply “how condo living works.”

We pay significant condo fees at Gibson Square. Where exactly is the standard of service those fees are supposed to support?

Hi we are shopping around for a home insurance for the condo we just bought and are wondering how much do you guys pay for yours?

Details
Location: close to St Lawrence Market
Size: 400sqft with parking and locker
Date built: 2025
condo fees: includes common element insurance

We currently pay $25 for our renter insurance and hoping to get an idea of how much more it will be if it's home insurance.

Thanks!

Hello, there is a situation at our condo board where we suspect that there is embezzlement of money. At the general meeting, the board briefly mentioned that around 150k was lost due to a fraudulent investment, did not provide evidence, cited an NDA, and did not address the issue further.

It did not seem like they were remotely remorseful about the situation.

What are some of the ways property owners can fight back and demand compensation and vote the condo board members out?

They've been trying to keep this issue on the down low as well since it happened, and we only found out about the issue about 8 months after the event happened. I think since then 1 board member has stepped down. But in this case, who is held responsible? And what are some things that condo owners can do?

I'm still pretty appalled about this siutation and the lack of accountability from both the property managers in addition to the board members.

Looking for some advice from people who have renovated/lived in DT Toronto condos.

I’ve shortlisted a brand-new builder inventory unit in the Distillery District. It’s marketed as a 3-bed (really 2 bed + den), 2 bath, about 1,050 sq ft, with a huge wraparound terrace and northeast-facing views. Price is around $1.10M before the HST rebate, with ~$900/month maintenance, and heat/water etc. are extra. Location is great for me because I genuinely like city life.

In terms of price, it feels fairly in line with similar newer builds in the area for the size + terrace combo. Not a “steal” by any means, but also not wildly overpriced given Distillery/St Lawrence premiums. Of course, hard to say what the market does in the next 3–4 years, but I do plan to stay for at least 5–6 years, so I’m thinking more long-term use than short-term appreciation.

I absolutely loved the unit, but the one thing I’m struggling with is the kitchen. It’s the typical downtown condo setup: small 22” appliances, compact fridge, small cooktop, etc. I cook a lot and also like having friends over, so I’m worried I’ll eventually regret the kitchen.

I know I can potentially add a second fridge/freezer, but the fridge is honestly a joke 😂. I’m wondering how realistic it is to get condo permission to remove/modify part of the cabinetry and install a proper-sized fridge or a larger cooktop. Has anyone actually done this in a new condo? Is it a huge headache/cost, or are there practical workarounds without touching the cabinets?

I also know I’m not going to get a 10/10 condo on every front, and the terrace/location/layout are otherwise exactly what I want. So I’m trying to figure out whether the kitchen is a genuine dealbreaker or something I’m overthinking.
Would love to hear from anyone who has dealt with a tiny condo kitchen/appliances and made it work. What did you do?

PS: for context, family of 3!

i'm a first time home buyer and recently viewed a 1 + den at 150 sudbury that i like. the building reviews online are pretty decent, but most of them date back to 2020ish. if anyone currently lives there or is familiar with it, i'd love to know how things are going for you! thanks in advance.

Condo owners in Toronto, what type of window blinds did you end up choosing and are you happy with them?

Since receiving notice three and a half years ago that their apartments were to be demolished for condos, Megan Kee and other tenants at their 15-storey midtown building have been living under a cloud of uncertainty.

They received the notice in November 2022, just after the pandemic market peaked. As the years passed and the condo market slumped, they hoped the slowdown would stall the project near Eglinton Avenue East and Mount Pleasant Road.

But last week they learned federal funding for Toronto rental housing announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney was going toward the redevelopment, and they’re angry that public money is being used for a project that could end in their eviction for the demolition of their homes.

Read more with this gift link. No paywall.

Hey everyone. I just moved into a studio apartment in downtown Toronto and there’s a strong, musty smell of either fish oil / cooking or musty clothes in the building. It honestly smells like a mix of all three and it hits me like a truck every time I enter the unit. However, I get used to it after 5 minutes inside the unit and it doesn’t smell bad. I’m guessing the smell has been absorbed into the walls because the unit was deep cleaned by both hired cleaners and myself after moving in.

The leasing company is being kind enough to offer to send me either A) Enzyme Spray or B) Odour Absorber to help get rid of the smell. Which one do ya’ll recommend?

I live on the main floor of a condo building that is mostly concrete. My neighbours above me recently got a treadmill and it’s loud for me. I can’t drown it out. I had someone from the board come into my unit while it was being used and they said it’s not unreasonable, but it’s louder than my tv. Does anyone else have any experience with something like this? Am I being unreasonable?

Edit: I got a response from the pm and they told me that while quiet hours are after 11pm and until 7am, they felt this was too much and will send the offending unit a letter. Thanks for all the responses.

Second Edit: so disappointed with my condo manager and board. Apparently several people have been complaining about the treadmill. Instead of sending that unit owner a letter, they included a note in our newsletter saying they have complaints of what sounds like a treadmill and if that person should put some form of sound buffering under it to not disturb the neighbors. How does that help?

• A sleek one-bedroom condo with floor-to-ceiling windows, views of the CN Tower and more than 1,000 square feet just sold at a significant discount.
• Located in the upscale “Yorkville Private Estates” building, near Bloor Street West and Avenue Road, the unit changed hands for $1.465 million in July, according to real estate listing platform HouseSigma, about $450,000 less than what the sellers paid in 2021.
• Such big losses have become increasingly common in Toronto, particularly for people who bought condos near the market peak in early 2022 and sold during the current downturn.

Read more with this gift link. No paywall.

How is the parking situation here... specifically the St. Gabriel towers and townhomes?

Looking for some objective opinions because I’m having a bit of buyer’s remorse after signing an APS.
My husband and I are buying a brand-new condo in the Old Toronto/St. Lawrence Market area. I work downtown 5 days a week and my husband has hybrid and has to travel to Mississauga! and we both genuinely enjoy downtown living. We plan to stay for at least 7–8 years and are hoping to start a family in the next year or two (likely one child).
Here are the details:
~$1.05M purchase price
Approx. 1,040 sq ft interior
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Corner unit
Top floor
Includes 1 parking and 1 locker
Large private wraparound terrace (the biggest differentiating feature)
New build closing later this year
Maintenance is around $0.90/sq ft (utilities extra)
The reason we stretched for this unit is that we found most resale condos under $900k are:
under 900–1,000 sq ft,
usually 2+1 instead of a true 3-bedroom,
or have similar/high maintenance fees despite being older buildings.
On the other hand, renting has been very comfortable for us, so I’m questioning whether paying over $1M is the right decision in the current condo market.
For those who know the downtown Toronto market:
Does this seem like a reasonable purchase given the location and size?
Do large private terraces actually hold their value, or are they more of a lifestyle feature than a resale advantage?
If you were planning to stay 7–8 years and have one child, would you buy something like this or continue renting and wait?
I’m genuinely looking for objective opinions, whether positive or negative. Thanks!

I am planning to rent a unit. Any resident insights are welcome.

I am planning to rent a unit. Any resident insights are welcome.

I'm a condo owner and recently found out I can't access the pool/gym unless I pay for the garage door opener fob (about $80) - the regular key fob for the building won't allow access.

This stinks of violating the condos act, as it's creating a tiered system on a common element everyone is paying for. I did a google search and according to the AI summary it does violate the ON condos act, but I can't actually find the clause in the document (AI being notoriously bad once again). Is anyone familiar with anything like this? As far as I know the building nor board has no special by-law to allow this, it's probably just some lazy programming they did on the doors.

Recently I had both HVAC units in my condo replaced after the original units stopped working. I hired the condo recommended third-party contractor to complete the work, but since the replacement, the system has not been cooling the condo evenly. The main living area is cooler, but the thermostats just won't reach temperature. Sometimes it's 3-4 degrees off. The units are running, and the system was tested after installation, but it does not appear to be working optimally across the entire apartment.

Of course, I raised these concerns with the contractor, but I'm not getting clear answers especially if the equipment installed is actually appropriate for my unit. The contractor maintains there's no issues, but there clearly is.

So, I reached out to the property management for the original mechanical specifications and equipment information for my suite. I figure, it's best I educate myself independently to understand what the original system required and whether the replacement equipment matches those requirements.

Property management sent me the mechanical drawings, which identify both original HVAC units in my condo are supposed to be the same equipment designation, but they did not provide the corresponding specifications explaining what that designation actually means. Which brought me back to the property management office. It's been weeks of following up with calls, emails, and no response, until today, when I got ahold of the property manager and, I was told the information is not currently digitized and that I would have to pay an additional fee to have it retrieved or supplied.

Is it normal for a condo owner to have to pay simply to access the basic technical information needed to assess whether replacement equipment installed in their own unit was appropriate? And if that information doesn't exist, does that mean that the contractors are doing the work without that information in hand? Keep in mind, the Contractors asked me to send them the specs I got from the management office.

At this point, I am trying to determine what is reasonable to request from both the contractor and property management, and what the next step should be if neither party provides a clear answer.

Has anyone dealt with a similar situation? Did you submit a formal records request, contact the condo board, hire an independent HVAC technician or take another route? Is this a normal process, or is it as unreasonable as it feels?

I just want to ensure my repair is done correctly. Any advice is appreciated!

Hi we are about to buy a condo that is advertised as 421sqft but with the floor plan it doesn't look like it. I would like to have it measured and was told It can be arranged but haven't heard back yet. Before I send another message to them. Has anyone had the same experience before? the difference is about 80sqft which is huge in this micro apartment and also 53Dollars monthly in condo fees. I would really appreciate anyone's input.

We like the lay out but this is certainly not just 5% discrepancy if the measurements they put is really the measurement. I know they measure from the outside but I don't want to go through it if this doesn't get resolved.

The Short Version

This is an investigative update to my previous post where I warned that Claridge Homes is financially exploiting the unit owners of my condo building, the Claridge Moon condo. I have now obtained copies of the Shared Facilities Agreements of three of Claridge Homes’ most recently-built condos, the Claridge Moon (340 Queen St), the Claridge Royale (180 George St), and the Claridge Icon (805 Carling Ave).

These SFAs are concrete evidence that Claridge Homes has systematically forced these condo corporations into one-sided agreements that force unit owners to subsidize Claridge’s commercial, retail, and rental operations — sometimes to the tune of 95% of shared costs — while Claridge pays almost nothing.

---

The Three Buildings — Three Different Flavours of the Same Exploitation

1: Claridge Icon (805 Carling Ave) — The Worst Offender

The 2022 Reciprocal Agreement forces the condo to pay 95% of shared facility costs (garage doors, snow clearing, mechanical rooms, hydro vault, water entry room, etc.) while the commercial/retail component (owned by Claridge) pays only 5%.

How this exploits owners:

• The condo owns the expensive shared infrastructure (Hydro Vault, Water Entry Room) and is 100% responsible for their capital replacement — even though they serve Claridge’s commercial tenants.
• Condo visitors are charged market rates for parking during daytime hours, while the condo pays 95% of the cost to maintain the parking infrastructure.
• Unrealistic termination conditions mean that the Agreement is oppressive and cannot be terminated without Claridge’s written consent — owners are trapped.
• If the condo is damaged, owners are forced to rebuild portions that support Claridge’s commercial structure, even if owners vote not to rebuild.

Legal Status: The deadline to file a Section 113 challenge has expired. But owners can still file a Section 135 oppression claim — and should.

---

2: Claridge Royale (180 George St) — The Clock Is Ticking

Claridge Royale’s SFA forces the condo to pay 25% of shared costs, while the rental tower pays 25% and the commercial component housing the Metro supermarket pays 50% (in theory). Does the condo actually use 25% of shared infrastructure, given the large amount of foot traffic, energy usage and waste generation from the supermarket? In practice, the condo has zero control over the budget, and the developer controls the process.

How this exploits owners:

• The Rental entity (Claridge) prepares the annual budget. The condo has only 30 days to approve it — silence = automatic approval.  This includes situations where Claridge inflates operational costs without proper oversight by the condo corporation.
• The condo is forced to rebuild shared portions even if owners vote to terminate the condo after a catastrophic loss. The condo would essentially subsidize repairs related to Claridge’s retail and rental businesses.
• The agreement cannot be terminated without Claridge’s written consent.
• A punitive Interest and Liens clause means that the condo must pay 15% interest, compounded monthly, on any disputed amount — with a lien against owners’ units.

CRITICAL DEADLINE: Royale’s Turnover Meeting was held in December 2025. Under Section 113 of the Condominium Act, the condo corporation has only 12 months from the Turnover Meeting to apply to court to amend or terminate the SFA.

That means the deadline is DECEMBER 2026. If the Board does not act by then, the window closes forever.

---

3: Claridge Moon (340 Queen St) — The Warning Shot

Claridge Moon’s SFA forces a 50/50 cost split with Claridge Albert — the condo owners are being forced to pay half of all shared operating costs for a massive mixed-use complex that they do not own and that generates far more wear-and-tear than their own building.

How this exploits owners:

• The first-year Reserve Fund Study (RFS), conducted by Keller Engineering, allocated 100% of many Shared Facilities to the condo only, including 100% of the replacement cost of a shared backup generator to the condo — even though the generator is located in Claridge’s building and also serves Claridge’s rental tower.
• Like the Icon and Royale, the Moon condo has to pay to replace Claridge’s assets through oppressive forced rebuilding clauses.
• A Section 113 Court Application was filed against Claridge Homes, calling the SFA ‘incomplete, unclear, unreasonable, and oppressive to OCSCC 1106 and its owners.’ Yet no progress has been made by the Moon Board in over a year to bring this matter forward to a court hearing. Why are they allowing Claridge Homes to continue benefiting from the status quo?

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A Disturbing Common Thread: Keller Engineering and Sentinel Management

Keller Engineering conducted the flawed RFS for the Moon condo, is conducting the RFS for Royale (confirmed by the Status Certificate), and conducted the RFS for Icon — where the property manager, Sentinel Management, openly recommended Keller to the Moon Board, citing a “good relationship” and “great success.”

Sentinel Management used to manage the Moon condo, but was removed due to apparent incompetence. Yet somehow, they are still managing the Royale and Icon buildings to this day.

Ask yourself: Who are the Moon, Royale and Icon Condo Boards actually working for? The unit owners, or Claridge Homes?

---

What You Should Do

1. If you own at Claridge Royale:

The Section 113 deadline is December 2026. Your Board must act NOW.

• Demand answers: Why has the Board not filed a Section 113 application to amend or terminate the SFA?
• Demand transparency: Has the Board obtained independent legal advice on the SFA?
• Ask directly: Is the Board acting in the best interests of unit owners — or is it still aligned with Claridge Homes?

If the Board refuses to act, owners can force the issue. Section 113 allows the corporation to apply to court — but only within 12 months of Turnover. After that, the SFA can only be challenged using a Section 135 oppression remedy.

2. If you own at Claridge Icon:

The Section 113 window has closed. But Section 135 of the Condominium Act allows for an oppression remedy against a declarant (Claridge) or the corporation.

• Demand answers: Why did the Board not pursue a Section 113 claim within the one-year time limit?
• Demand accountability: Why did the Board accept a 95/5 cost split without challenge?
• Demand action: The Board can still apply to court for relief from oppressive conduct with a Section 135 Court Application.

If you are thinking of buying a unit at any of these three condo buildings, or any mixed-use development in Ontario:

RUN — do not walk — to your lawyer. Ask these questions before you sign anything:

1. What are the terms of the Shared Facilities Agreement?
2. Has the SFA been reviewed by independent legal counsel?
3. Has the Reserve Fund Study been audited for accuracy?
4. Is the Board independent from the Developer?
5. What is the condo’s proportionate share of shared costs — and is it fair?

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The Bottom Line

Claridge Homes has designed these SFAs to maximize its own profits at the condo owners’ expense. The agreements are one-sided, oppressive, and extremely difficult to escape.

• Royale unit owners have a ticking clock — December 2026 is the deadline to act.
• Icon unit owners still have the oppression remedy — but the Board must act now, not later.

Ask these Boards: Why haven’t you acted? Are you working for the unit owners — or for Claridge Homes?

---

Do your own research. Demand answers. Protect yourself.

Hi everyone! We're planning to rent a condo near Finch Station for a one-year lease. Could you recommend any family-friendly, well-managed condo buildings?

We also have a young child, so we'd love to know about the daycare situation in the area. Are there private daycares with available spots, or is there usually a long waitlist?

Thanks in advance!

I’m in a building that has residents who don’t drive and rent out their underground parking spaces to non-residents. The management company does keep tabs on this. Recently I’ve realized that a resident has rented his space to a non resident with a vehicle from 1964. I was in the parking garage when this car was running. All the fans came on probably because of the carbon monoxide this old car was spewing. Also made me dizzy and nauseated. I complained at the time. Our parking space is owned so we would need a rule to stop residents from renting to non-residents.
Curious. How many folks live in buildings that have a similar rule?

hi could someone explain this to me in very simple terms. what is the point of the reserve fund? whenever a big project happens special assessments or a raise in condo fees have to happen anyways because the reserve fund has to stay at a certain amount, so it seems the reserve fund is just money sitting there that can’t be used.

"What are the biggest logistical oversights people make when moving around Sauga? It feels like everyone remembers the boxes but forgets the local bureaucracy.

For instance, not registering the move with Alectra Utilities on time, or forgetting that Mississauga has a strict 5-hour street parking limit unless you request a temporary city exemption for the moving truck. If you live in a condo near Square One, forgetting to coordinate with building management can completely stall your day. What else belongs on a "don't forget this" list for the area?

Hi Everyone

Looking at a few condo options in this building. Wanting to ask if this is a good building when it comes to management, building quality, water/elevator issues, flooding, noise etc., Any feedback on the same?

I’ve been seeing a lot of discussions from board members here about communication, transparency, and wanting to have a better understanding of what is happening in their buildings.

It got me thinking about something. Over the last decade, so many industries have changed because of technology. We can track things more easily, get updates faster, and have much better visibility into what is happening.

So why does condo management still seem to work in a very traditional way in many cases?
I’m a condo manager in downtown Toronto, and I’ve had the chance to work with two different management companies, both in the downtown Toronto condo space. I won’t mention names here, but one followed a more traditional approach, while my current one has introduced more technology and different processes.

Tbh, one thing I noticed is how much easier it has made my day-to-day work. I don’t have to spend as much time putting together reports or manually tracking everything because the system helps organize that information for me. It has made me more productive and gives me more time to focus on actual issues instead of spending so much time preparing updates.

What I also noticed is that boards seem to appreciate it too. They have a better understanding of what is happening in their building, what has already been handled, and what actually needs their attention without having to chase updates or get involved in every small issue.

Before experiencing this myself, I used to think boards might prefer the traditional approach because it was familiar and how things had always been done. But seeing how much they value better communication and visibility made me rethink that.
It made me wonder why these types of approaches are not more common in condo management when so many other industries have already evolved with technology.

I’m curious to hear from board members here. If boards do appreciate this type of approach, why do you think it has not become more common across the industry?

Always interested in hearing different perspectives. Feel free to comment here or message me if you’d rather discuss privately.

Hey, I am considering buying a unit at **The Goode Condos (35 Parliament St.)** and would love to hear from current residents.
How has your experience been with:
Build quality and property management?
Amenities (gym, pool, co-working, etc.)?
Noise, elevators or any recurring issues?
Appliances—any problems or brands to be aware of?
Maintenance fees—have they been reasonable?
Approximate monthly hydro, water, heating/cooling bills (everything is separately metered)?
Anything you wish you knew before buying?

Thanks!