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Hi Everyone:
Let me tell you about the City of Winnipeg’s next cash (tax) grab which is coming our way. In around February 2011, every house-owner who sells his/her house will have to provide a current Survey Certificate and Zoning Memorandum to the prospective buyer.
While at the time of this writing, the exact details have yet to be worked out, here are some of the highlights:
First of all, “current” will mean “within the past 5 years and with no alterations”. In other words, if you bought your house 3 years ago and have a Survey Certificate from that date, but added an attached deck, or built a large shed, you will have to get a new Survey Certificate done by the City, at your expense. And here is the real rub: if the survey finds an irregularity (your shed is too close to the neighbours, or the deck is too high without a railing), the home-owner will need to correct these items if possible, or get a Variance if the item can not be corrected.
So here is a little advance notice: If you’re thinking of selling your house, make sure you get this survey certificate completed well ahead of time. Although the City promises a 5-day turn-around time, this does not include the time to apply for any Variance or to correct any issues.
At this point in time, Condos are exempt from this by-law.
If you’re thinking of selling your house, please call me anytime for a Market Evaluation, and presentation of my marketing plan. You can also see the video describing my marketing plan by clicking here.
Update: At this time (Jan 2011) we have been told that the City of Winnipeg has backed away from these ill-advised plans. Hopefully they are not doing so in order to come up with an even bigger tax-grab instead. Let’s wait and see…
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hello Marten:
Highrise and townhouse condos do NOT have survey and zoning certificates. SOME bungalow and side-by-side condos do have them. It is my understanding that, in the upcoming City By-law changes, ALL CONDOS will be excempt from this new law, so that if you are selling a condo of any type, you will probably NOT be required to provide those documents.
But since we are dealing with the city of winnipeg, anything is possible and we will have to wait until their by-law has been written and passed.
Bo
Quick question…. Do condo’s have surveyor’s certificates and zoning memorandums like houses?
Thanks
My cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!