What is Bill 16?
Bill 16 governs the management of divided co-ownerships. It imposes three pillars: a maintenance logbook, a contingency-fund study (a 25-year horizon) and a certificate of the syndicate attesting to the condition of the co-ownership. The goal: that every building be known, maintained and funded to last.
Is your condominium covered? Yes.
The rule covers all divided co-ownerships — small or large, high-rise or row, residential or commercial. No size is exempt; only certain review frequencies vary.
The deadlines: the 2025-2028 countdown
The implementing regulation has been in force since August 14, 2025. For syndicates already existing when the regulation entered into force, the principal deadline for the first maintenance logbook and the first contingency-fund study is August 15, 2028 (three years and one day). Other timing rules may apply to new co-ownerships and promoter transitions. The logbook is updated every year (review by an authorized person every 5 years — or every 10 years where the building meets one of the conditions set by the regulation; see the logbook page); the study is renewed every 5 years.
Casaforta's role: coordinate, not sign
We gather and organize the documentation, help the syndicate identify the authorized persons it retains directly to establish or review the maintenance log and perform the contingency-fund study, and coordinate the communications and follow-up defined in the written mandate. The board of directors retains its decisions and responsibilities. The certificate on the condition of the co-ownership remains a separate document provided by the syndicate under the applicable rules.
The certificate on the condition of the co-ownership: what the law says
The certificate of the syndicate attesting to the condition of the co-ownership is provided for in article 1068.1 of the Civil Code of Québec. When a fraction is sold, the seller must give the certificate to the promisor in due time. For that purpose, the syndicate provides the certificate, within 15 days, to the co-owner who requests it. Those obligations exist from the appointment of a new board of directors, after the developer loses control of the syndicate.
The form and content of the certificate are prescribed by section 10 of the Regulation establishing various rules concerning divided co-ownership. At a minimum, it must state: the total amount of the contingency fund and the study's recommendation, as at the certificate date, concerning the amount that must be available at the start of the current year; common-expense contributions required and paid during the previous three years; available liquid assets; the annual surplus or deficit shown in the last three financial statements; the budget forecast for the current year; a statement that the syndicate holds the required insurance policies; the amount of the self-insurance fund and the highest deductible; and summaries of inspections and expert opinions obtained at the syndicate's initiative during the last five years, losses affecting the private portion being sold or the common portions during the last five years, major repairs and replacements carried out in the common portions during the last five years with their dates and costs, major repairs and replacements planned in the common portions during the next ten years with estimated dates and costs, ongoing court proceedings, and amendments to the declaration of co-ownership during the last three years. The certificate must be dated and signed by the person authorized to issue it and indicate that person's name and capacity.
Casaforta does not certify, sign or provide legal advice regarding the certificate. Under the written mandate, we may organize the information and administrative follow-up. The syndicate remains responsible for providing the certificate; it must be dated and signed by the person authorized to issue it.
Official sources
The obligations described on this page flow from the Civil Code of Québec and the Regulation establishing various rules concerning divided co-ownership (CCQ, r. 8.01), in force since August 14, 2025:
- Civil Code of Québec, art. 1068.1 — certificate of the syndicate (LégisQuébec)
- Civil Code of Québec, art. 1070.2 — the maintenance logbook (LégisQuébec)
- Civil Code of Québec, art. 1071 — the contingency fund (LégisQuébec)
- Regulation establishing various rules concerning divided co-ownership, CCQ, r. 8.01 (LégisQuébec)
- Gouvernement du Québec — rules for divided co-ownership (in French)