Update: Original developer of Bella Vista condos was Seven Seven’s Corporation.
According to the CBC and Metro, Bella Vista is the latest casualty in Calgary’s growing number of condos that have been found to have significant problems costing owners tens of thousands of dollars.
Located just off 17th Avenue S.W. on 14A Street S.W., it’s less than 10 years old.
Owners are facing a bill of between $77,000 and $189,000 each, to pay for repairs to the roof, eaves, balcony and parkade in a building where some of the condos are only worth about $200,000. (Source)
According the article sourced above, an inspection turned up building code violations.
“We’ve seen substandard condo projects and building projects go up in time of a boom and there is still no government act or regulations on the books to protect homeowners and that’s what I am most disappointed about,” said Liberal MLA Ken Hehr. ”It’s very sad, my heart goes out to them. Some of the constituents I have met with are contemplating bankruptcy,” Hehr said. “This is a serious, life changing event for people. It’s very tragic.”
New homes and condos in Alberta are only covered under a one-year warranty, which isn’t enough, he said.
Alberta’s municipal affairs spokesperson Donna Babchishin pointed out that her department recently announced a move towards mandatory home warranties in the province and stricter penalties for substandard development.
“We (have) found, No. 1, that our building codes are good, but we wanted to take more steps to ensure more compliance with the building code,” she said. (Source)
Related article: Special Assessments Becoming More Commonplace
UPDATE, June 28, 2011 Calgary Sun: Bella Vista condo association president Robin Weseen said the board plans to go ahead with legal action against Seven Sevens Corp., the building’s original developer.
Al Sajan, president of Seven Sevens, said the building was built to conform to all codes and standards, and said upon completion, the building passed all the required inspections.
“We had a clean bill of health, everything was approved.” he said.
He added that regular maintenance over the 10 years since construction should prevent the kinds of issues the Bella Vista building is experiencing.
“Obviously if the issues are this extensive they didn’t occur overnight,” he said.
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Readers, do you think it’s plausible that up to $7 million in repairs is due to the owners neglecting to do regular maintenance on the brand new building?
