The area used by two or more tenants
and/or third parties, and not under the
control of any one tenant, e.g., lobbies,
corridors, and stairways, in either a
residential or commercial building.
Commercial floor plate diagrams typically
show exclusive areas occupied by tenants and
associated common areas in the building’s
centre-core, e.g., elevators, washrooms, and
common lobby area. Common area should be
clearly distinguished from common elements
relating to condominiums.
CAM In commercial real estate, CAM
refers to landlord’s costs attributable to
the common areas involving the repair,
maintenance, operation, supervision, and
administration of such areas. CAM charges
are usually prorated among the building
tenants.
The lease provision, often referred to
as the CAM clause, outlines the common area
maintenance charges for the complex and the
tenant’s responsibility in that regard.
Property areas in a condominium, except
the units, that can be used by all unit
owners. Examples include lobbies, parking
areas, recreational facilities, elevators,
roofs, exterior walls, and any other
physical aspects not described as a unit.
The declaration of a condominium corporation
may specify exclusive-use areas within
common elements such as parking spaces,
lockers, balconies, landscaped areas, or
others that are to be used exclusively by a
particular unit although the expenses will
be shared by all. Common elements are
subject to the by-laws and rules of the
corporation.
To accurately delineate units as opposed
to common areas, the boundary of a unit is
normally described as the outside edge of
the interior wall or door, so that the unit
owner can control his/her wallboard or
interior door. However, the exterior brick
or door identifies the commencement of the
common element to be regulated and
controlled by the board of directors of the
condominium corporation or its authorized
manager/management team, e.g., painting,
air-conditioning, and maintenance.
Unit owners share the cost of expenses
relating to the common elements including
such things as bulk-metered utilities,
repairs, maintenance, and capital
expenditures as required. Payment can be
enforced by a lien against the defaulting
owner’s unit. Condominiums, best described
legally as creatures of statute, fall within
provincial regulatory control.
A term most commonly associated with the
cost of operating, managing, maintaining,
and repairing the common elements of a
condominium including the administration.
That part of the law that is formulated,
developed, and administered by the common
law courts, mostly unwritten and founded
originally on common customs. Common law is
based on principles more so than specific
rules and has developed over the centuries
using legal precedents as opposed to
statutory provisions set out by
parliamentary decree.
Looking to Buy or Sell Luxury
Real Estate In Toronto, North York, Thornhill,
Woodbridge, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Aurora, King
City and beyond...visit LuxuryBroker.ca
Mortgages247.ca 2011 Apply Online without Blackouts Mortgages247.ca is designed to provide competent and
reliable information regarding the subject matter covered. However it is
provided, free of charge, with the understanding that the authors are not
engaged in rendering legal, financial or other professional advice. Law and
practice often vary from province and province and if legal or other expert
assistance is required, the services of a professional should be sought. The
authors specifically disclaim any liability that is incurred from the use or
application of the contents of this website.
