Based on a Radio Canada report
The co-ownership market experienced a modest slowdown in 2025 in the Outaouais region, according to data from the local real estate board. While the residential market as a whole remained active, sales of co-ownership units declined by 4 percent, while single family home sales posted a comparable increase.
Several observers attribute this variation in part to the recent implementation of Bill 16 and the adjustment period it requires. Having come into force on August 14, this reform introduces new structural obligations for syndicates of co-ownership, including the creation of a maintenance logbook, the completion of a contingency fund study, the issuance of a Certificate attesting to the condition of the immovable held in co-ownership, and the protection of deposits paid when purchasing new units.
According to Roch St Jacques, president of the Outaouais real estate board, the reform remains imperfectly understood by some market participants. This situation can generate hesitation among buyers, but it also creates an opportunity to seek reliable information and secure transactions, particularly for first time purchasers.
From the perspective of property management professionals, the assessment is clear. For Nicholas Girard, owner of a property management firm in the region, these new requirements represent a positive step forward. They provide co-owners and buyers with greater transparency regarding the financial and physical condition of buildings, as well as clearer planning for upcoming investments. This increased transparency helps strengthen confidence in the co-ownership real estate sector.
Despite the slowdown observed in 2025, prospects remain favourable. Demand is still present, and financing conditions are considered advantageous. Several external factors also influenced the market over the past year, including a climate of economic and political uncertainty that temporarily led some households to postpone purchasing decisions. This period of hesitation already appears to be easing.
Trends observed on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River offer an interesting comparison. In Ontario, the co-ownership market recorded slight growth, supported in particular by the return to in person work in Ottawa and the attractiveness of nearby communities. Notably, several stakeholders anticipate that the requirement to maintain a contingency fund, now firmly established in Québec, could inspire similar measures in Ontario in the near future.
Ultimately, recent data reflect not a loss of interest in co-ownership, but rather a transition phase. Bill 16 is profoundly transforming management and purchasing practices by placing planning, transparency, and financial responsibility at the core of the model. Like any structural reform, it requires time for adoption. It is also helping build a more stable, predictable, and better protected environment for all co-owners.
