Official Guide — Divided Co-ownerships in Quebec

Quebec Act 16 & Maintenance Log:
what your condo board must know

Act 16 transforms condo management in Quebec. Mandatory maintenance log, strengthened reserve fund, new board responsibilities — here is a clear guide to understand your obligations and comply without stress.

What is Quebec Act 16?

Adopted in December 2019 by Quebec's National Assembly, Act 16 amends the Civil Code of Quebec to strengthen the governance of divided co-ownerships (condominiums).

Its primary goal: protect co-owners by requiring rigorous, transparent building management and preventing under-funded reserve accounts and deferred maintenance.

Act 16 applies to all divided co-ownership syndicates in Quebec, whether a 4-unit building or a complex of hundreds of condos.

The 3 key obligations of Act 16

1. The Maintenance Log

A complete inventory of all building components (roof, plumbing, elevators, etc.) with their condition, estimated useful life and work history.

2. Reserve Fund Study

A professional analysis by a qualified expert (engineer, technologist) every 5 years to determine required reserve fund contributions based on the building's actual condition.

3. Annual Disclosure

The syndicate must provide co-owners with a detailed financial statement including the reserve fund balance, expected contributions, and a maintenance log summary.

The Maintenance Log in Detail

The maintenance log is the most operationally demanding obligation of Act 16. It must be kept current and accessible to co-owners on request.

What must the maintenance log contain?

  • A complete inventory of building components: structure, roof, windows, mechanical/electrical/plumbing systems, elevators, common areas, etc.
  • The current condition of each component and its installation year
  • The remaining useful life estimate of each component
  • The maintenance history for each component
  • The future maintenance schedule and recommended preventive work

Who is responsible for the maintenance log?

The co-ownership syndicate — represented by its board of directors — is legally responsible for creating, updating and maintaining the log. In practice, this is often managed by the property manager or a designated board member.

What are the consequences of non-compliance?

  • Civil liability for directors in case of damage related to undocumented deferred maintenance
  • Complications during unit sales (buyers and notaries require the maintenance log)
  • Potential regulatory sanctions and lawsuits from co-owners

How Kohabit simplifies your Act 16 compliance

Kohabit was designed with Act 16 in mind. Our maintenance log module guides you step by step to create and maintain a compliant registry.

Guided asset inventory

Build your inventory with our step-by-step wizard. Pre-defined categories compliant with Act 16 (structure, mechanical, electrical, etc.).

Maintenance task tracking

Schedule and document every intervention. Automatic reminders for periodic maintenance.

Permanent history

Every intervention is recorded with date, contractor, cost, and attached documents. Nothing is ever lost.

Compliant PDF export

Generate a structured PDF report of your maintenance log for your AGMs, notaries, and archiving.

See all features

Frequently asked questions about Act 16

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