Quebec’s Bill 16: new rules for condos starting August 14, 2025

It’s official. As of July 30, 2025, the Quebec government confirmed the effective date for Bill 16. Starting August 14, 2025, all divided co-ownerships (condos) in the province must comply with new legal standards under Decree 991-2025.

“This regulation comes into force on the fifteenth day following its publication in the Gazette officielle du Québec.” – Gazette officielle du Québec, Article 15 

 What Bill 16 requires from every condo board

Maintenance Logbook: Legally defined and professionally managed

The building’s maintenance log must now meet specific standards. It must be:

• Prepared by a licensed expert (engineer, architect, etc.)
• Updated at least once per year
• Reviewed every 5 or 10 years depending on building size
• Include a detailed 25-year plan for major repairs

Deadline to comply: August 14, 2028. After this date, a non-compliant or outdated maintenance log may complicate resale or lead to legal risk for the condo board.

“The maintenance log must be updated by the board of directors at least once a year.” – Gazette officielle du Québec, Article 4

Reserve Fund Study: based on real data, not estimates

Boards are now required to obtain a contingency fund study every 5 years.

“A contingency fund study must be obtained by the board of directors at least every five years.” – Gazette officielle du Québec, Article 8

This study must reflect:

• The actual condition of the building
• Planned repairs, their timing, and estimated costs
• The current and required balance of the fund

The days of vague projections are over. This study must include hard numbers to guide contributions. Like the maintenance log, boards have until August 14, 2028 to comply.

Syndicate Certificate: now mandatory for every sale

As of August 14, 2025, you can’t sell a condo without it. This declaration must include:

• Actual balance of the contingency and self-insurance funds
• Planned or completed repair work
• Any current disputes or insurance claims

It must be signed by an authorized representative and based on the most recent maintenance log and fund study.

Buyer Deposits: now fully protected by law

As of August 14, 2025, any deposit paid toward the purchase of a condo unit must be held in a trust account by a licensed professional (lawyer, notary, CPA, or certified administrator).

Developers and promoters can no longer access these funds before delivery. This rule is intended to protect buyers from construction delays, disputes, or project failures.

Next steps for condo boards

If you’re on a board or manage a building, here’s what you need to do now:

• Check your logbook: Is it up to date, signed by a professional, and compliant with the new requirements?
• Update or order a reserve fund study. If the last one was done before 2020, you’re likely out of compliance.
• Prepare for certificate requests. If any owners plan to sell, ensure your certificate includes all required details.

Bill 16 is a turning point for Quebec’s condo management practices.

Yes, it introduces new requirements. But it also raises the bar for professionalism, improves transparency, and offers better protection to owners and buyers. Now is the time to take action, strengthen your building, plan ahead and avoid costly surprises.

To learn more, see the official publication.