Rules and Regulations

Variance on the ban on converting condos

Montréal bans the transformation of rental units into divided co-ownership. Verdun does, however, permit variances within the borough if it receives an official request.  However, it is not necessary to obtain a municipal approbation if all the units are occupied by undivided owners.

Procedure

Before submitting your request to the Régie du logement, you must complete an application for a variance on the ban on converting into divided co-ownership (available in the left section of this page) to the Comité consultatif d'urbanisme (CCU). The application contains the following information and is accompanied by the following documents:

• Written request to the director of the Direction de l’aménagement urbain et des services aux entreprises;
• Duly completed application for an exemption from the ban on converting into divided co-ownership;
• 2 copies of ownership proof;
• Copy of the location certificate;
• 2 copies of existing lease or a statement (as the case may be) that the unit is vacant;
• The detail of each unit (address, number of rooms, surface of dwellings);
• A description of the work planned, inside and outside, if applicable;
• Notice of intention to convert, duly signed by each tenant;
• 13 paper copies of all documents;
• One CD including all the above mentionned documentation;
• 2 cheques made to the order of  Ville de Montréal.

The application must be forwarded to the following address:

Direction de l’aménagement urbain et des services aux entreprises
4555, rue de Verdun, Suite 109
Verdun, QC H4G 1M4

Please take note that in order to be admissible, a building subject to a request for an exemption from the ban on condominium conversions must meet one of the following criteria:

1. Have had no tenants for the past three (3) years at the very least. The time is calculated retroactively from the date that the request was submitted.
2. At least half of the tenants want to become owners (having submitted an offer to purchase accepted by the occupants of at least 50% of the units). The occupants must be tenants there for at least the past three (3) years.
3. Have no more than two (2) units, one of which has been occupied by the owner for at least three (3) years.

In addition, a building having one or more units adapted for an occupant with a physical disability or having one or more units with over three (3) bedrooms is automatically non-admissible for condo conversion.

A public notice must be published in the local newspaper for any such application. There must be an interval of 30 days between the date on which the notice appears and the date of the borough council meeting, so you should plan about two months between the date you file your application and the date on which you will receive the borough council’s resolution.

The resolution will be sent by mail. It will remain in effect for six months, during which period you can pursue the procedure with the Régie du logement.

Charges : see Rates page.

Information: 514 765-7083