Common Elements
Explore common elements in Canadian condominium ownership, what’s included, how they’re managed, and why they affect ownership costs.
June 13, 2025
What are Common Elements?
Common elements refer to shared spaces and systems in a condominium development that are jointly owned and maintained by all unit owners through the condo corporation.
Why Common Elements Matter in Real Estate
In Canadian condominium ownership, common elements are not part of individual units but are essential to the operation and value of the property.
Examples of common elements include:
- Hallways, elevators, and stairwells
- Lobbies, party rooms, and amenities
- Landscaping and parking areas
- Building systems (plumbing, HVAC, roof)
Their upkeep is funded through condo fees and governed by the condominium bylaws. Any changes to these areas often require board approval.
Understanding common elements helps buyers assess what they are financially responsible for and how well the property is managed.
Example of Common Elements in Action
A leaking pipe in the hallway ceiling is repaired by the condo corporation, as it is part of the common elements shared by all owners.
Key Takeaways
- Shared spaces in condo developments
- Jointly owned by all unit holders
- Maintained through condo fees
- Governed by bylaws and board policies
- Impact long-term building value and operations
Related Terms
- Condominium Bylaws
- Condo Fees
- Reserve Fund
- Building Maintenance
- Property Management
6525 Mississauga Road and its surrounding context. (RBC Capital Markets & CBRE)
Property details for 6525 Mississauga Road. (RBC Capital Markets & CBRE)
National average resale-price growth and housing-starts growth, smoothed over three months. The comparison illustrates the cycle; it does not establish how much a price change causes construction to change.
Trailing 12-month starts in centres of 50,000 or more remove the usual monthly seasonality. Ownership combines the homeowner and condominium categories; rental is shown separately.
Six-month averages of provincial starts, expressed at annual rates. The smoothing reduces the influence of individual apartment projects.
The same August benchmark compared with two different starting points. Three-month changes are not annualized.
Average sale prices show the difference in purchase costs across markets. They do not measure affordability relative to local incomes or construction costs.
Newfoundland and Labrador remains above its pre-pandemic sales pattern, but August activity was below last year. Historical lines retain their original release vintages.
Average and median describe different aspects of the same month’s transactions. Both are affected by the mix of homes sold.
Category averages compare different homes and locations; the gaps are not estimates of the cost to upgrade an otherwise identical property.
The five categories shown account for 5,000 of the board’s 5,057 sales. The remaining 57 transactions were in other housing categories.
Monthly observations are not seasonally adjusted. Active listings count properties available at month-end; they are not construction inventory.
Average and median prices share one dollar axis. These unadjusted transaction measures do not control for changes in the homes sold.
TRREB’s 416/905 categories compare the apartments sold in each area. The difference does not isolate a location premium for equivalent units.
5680 Oak Street in Vancouver and its surrounding context. (MCMP Architects)
Ground-level renderings of the tower proposed for 5680 Oak Street in Vancouver. (MCMP Architects)