Do We Still Have Leaky Condos in Surrey?

Leaky condos are unfortunately still fairly common of an issue within older buildings. In many areas of western Canada, including Surrey, consumers should know what to look out for when evaluating whether the building they are looking at is a leaky condo or not.

What is a Leaky Condo?

The leaky condo crisis is prevalent in Canada and is an ongoing construction crisis involving multi-unit buildings that have been damaged by rainwater infiltration due to incorrect building measures. Typically, the affected buildings were built between the 1980s and early 2000s. In most cases, the issue arose due to improper waterproofing of the building envelope of new builds, which caused rot and delamination of the exterior walls – resulting in mold growth, and destruction of the structure of the building.

How to Avoid a Leaky Condo

In order to avoid purchasing a leaky condo, follow the below general guidelines.

• Always use a qualified realtor who knows the area you are looking to purchase in.
• Before purchasing, read all the strata and engineering documents for the building you are purchasing in.
• If you are placing an offer on a condo, always make it subject to inspection.

A leaky condo can have many issues including structural issues and issues for your own health such as mold growth. For these reasons, you should be on the lookout for leaky condo signs when purchasing a condo. Your qualified realtor can help you to avoid purchasing a leaky condo in Surrey.