Special Levies in Canadian Condos: What They Are and How to Protect Yourself Before You Buy
Imagine closing on your dream condo, moving in, and then receiving a letter two months later telling you that you owe $25,000 — due within 90 days. No warning. No negotiation. Just a bill. This is not a hypothetical situation. It happens to Canadian condo buyers every year. And in most cases, it was completely preventable. The culprit is called a Special Levy — and understanding it before you buy could save you tens of thousands of dollars. What Is a Special Levy? A Special Levy (also called a Special Assessment in some provinces) is an extra charge that a condo corporation imposes on all unit owners when it does not have enough money in its Reserve Fund to cover a major repair or unexpected expense. Common reasons a Special Levy gets triggered include: Roof replacement or major structural repairs Elevator modernization or replacement Parking garage restoration Window or balcony replacements Unexpected water damage or flooding repairs Legal costs from lawsuits involving ...
