Meetings of co-owners: how do they work?

Co-ownership, a form of housing that is becoming more and more common in Quebec, involves collective management of the building. Meetings of co-owners play a crucial role in this process, allowing owners to make important decisions about their building. This article sheds light on how meetings of co-owners work in Quebec.

The different types of meetings of co-owners: ordinary and extraordinary

There are two main types of meetings of co-owners, each with a specific role in the management of the building. The annual meeting, also known as the regular meeting, is held once a year. It allows the past year to be reviewed, the provisional budget to be voted on and the members of the board of directors to be elected. The extraordinary meeting, on the other hand, is held when necessary, to make urgent or important decisions, such as major work or the modification of the condominium’s regulations.

The rules for convening and conducting meetings: a precise legal framework

The convening of a meeting of co-owners must comply with certain rules to ensure the participation of all co-owners. It must be sent to all co-owners within a specific period, usually indicated in the declaration of co-ownership. The notice of meeting must specify the date, time and place of the meeting, as well as the agenda.

The conduct of the meeting is also governed by rules. A chair and secretary are usually elected to lead the meeting and take notes. The quorum, i.e. the minimum number of co-owners present or represented, must be reached for decisions to be valid. Decisions are taken by majority vote, except for certain important decisions which require a qualified majority.

The powers of the meeting of co-owners: important collective decisions

The meeting of co-owners has several powers, which allow it to make important decisions concerning the management of the building. It votes on the provisional budget and common expenses, approves the financial statements, elects and dismisses the members of the board of directors, modifies the co-ownership’s regulations, authorizes major work and makes decisions concerning the maintenance and management of the building.

Tips for co-owners who participate in meetings: active and informed participation

For the meetings of co-owners to take place effectively, it is important that the co-owners actively participate. It is recommended that you carefully read the notice of meeting and the agenda, prepare your questions and comments, be respectful of the other co-owners, participate in votes and consult the minutes of the meetings.

Meetings of co-owners are an essential part of co-ownership life. They allow owners to make important decisions about their building and to participate in its management. It is therefore important to understand how they work and to actively participate in the meetings. The active participation of the co-owners ensures transparent and efficient management of the building, thus contributing to the quality of life of all residents.