GL InspectionsDo I need a home inspection for a condo in Ontario?
It isn't legally required, but it is a smart move. The status certificate (reviewed by your lawyer) tells you about the condo corporation's finances and rules, while a home inspection tells you the condition of what you will own and usually have to maintain inside the unit: plumbing fixtures, electrical panel, heating and cooling unit, windows, appliances and signs of leaks.
Updated October 2026 · By Gerardo Lucero, Certified Professional Inspector (CPI)
The short version: two different checks for two different things
Buying a condo in Ontario means you buy two things at once: your unit, and a share of the common elements (hallways, roof, garage, exterior walls, amenities) run by the condominium corporation. Under the Condominium Act, 1998, the corporation generally maintains the common elements and each owner generally maintains their unit, but the building's declaration can shift those lines. That is why a condo purchase needs two separate checks.
Who looks at what
| Item | Usually covered by | Why it matters to you |
|---|---|---|
| Reserve fund, budget, special assessments, lawsuits, insurance | Status certificate, reviewed by your lawyer | Tells you if the building is well funded or if a big bill is coming |
| Declaration, by-laws and rules (pets, rentals, renovations) | Status certificate, reviewed by your lawyer | Defines what is your unit and what you are responsible for |
| Plumbing fixtures, shut-offs, water heater, visible supply lines | Home inspector | Leaks inside your unit are often your problem and can damage units below |
| Electrical panel, outlets, GFCI protection near water | Home inspector | Safety and the cost of fixing past DIY work |
| In-suite fan coil or heat pump, ducts, thermostat | Home inspector | In many GTA towers this equipment is the owner's to maintain, depending on the declaration |
| Windows, balcony door, seals, signs of condensation or staining | Home inspector (visual) | Who repairs them depends on the declaration, so your lawyer and inspector findings work together |
| Balcony | Often an exclusive-use common element | You use it, but the corporation usually controls repairs and changes |
The corporation must give you the status certificate within 10 days of a request, and the fee is capped at $100 including taxes, according to the Condominium Authority of Ontario. Your inspection condition and status certificate condition can run at the same time.
What I actually check inside a condo unit
A condo inspection follows the InterNACHI Standards of Practice: it is visual and non-invasive. Inside the unit I run every tap and drain, look under sinks for past leaks, check toilets for movement, test a sample of outlets, open the electrical panel cover where it is safe to do so, operate the heating and cooling equipment, and check windows, doors and visible flooring. I also look at ceilings for stains that may point to a leak from the unit above.
As a carpenter who has renovated GTA homes since 2009, I pay extra attention to renovation quality: flooring laid over uneven subfloors, poorly sealed tub surrounds, kitchen cabinets that are not secured, and electrical changes that look amateur. Renovated condos often look perfect in listing photos; the details tell the real story.
One GTA-specific item: some buildings put up roughly between 1995 and 2007 used Kitec plumbing, which is widely considered problematic. If I see fittings that look like Kitec, I will note it and recommend further evaluation by a licensed plumber.
When skipping it is a bigger gamble
- Older towers, where original plumbing and HVAC units may be near the end of their life.
- Recently flipped or renovated units.
- Ground-floor or top-floor units, which can be more exposed to water issues.
- New condos: for a first-time occupancy, a new-home PDI and Tarion inspection is the better fit.
A condo inspection with GL Inspections is a flat $450, takes about 2 h 30 min, and you get a photo report the same day. See the inspection condition guide for how to fit it into your offer.
General information, not legal advice; confirm with your agent and real estate lawyer.
Buying a condo in the GTA? Book your condo inspection here.
Sources
More guides
- How much does a home inspection cost in Vaughan and the GTA?
- Home inspection condition in Ontario: how many days do you have?
- Pre-offer inspection or conditional inspection: which should I do in the GTA?
- Should I be at the home inspection? What should I bring and ask?
- The home inspection found problems. What are my options?
Questions people ask
do i need inspection for a condo?
It's not required by law in Ontario, but it's recommended. The status certificate covers the building's finances; the inspection covers the condition of your unit.
is the status certificate enough
No. It tells you about the corporation, reserve fund and rules, but it doesn't check whether the plumbing, electrical or HVAC inside your unit is working.
how much is a condo inspection in vaughan
GL Inspections charges a flat $450 for a condo, with travel included up to 80 km from Vaughan.
who fixes condo windows in ontario
It depends on the building's declaration. Your lawyer can confirm from the status certificate documents, and the inspection shows their current condition.
do you inspect the balcony
I visually check the balcony I can access, but it's often an exclusive-use common element, so repairs are usually the corporation's call.
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