ANNCR: I’m with Liam Thompson, a lawyer with Cohen Highley who specializes in multi-residential housing. Liam, what is a “secured common area”?
Liam: Think of places like a mail room, the lobby, laundry and storage rooms…these are “secured common areas” that are now considered a “dwelling house” under the Criminal Code.
ANNCR: And what does that mean for a building resident?
Liam: Someone breaking into a secured common area could face consequences as serious as if they broke into a private unit – so there are additional protections and the owner’s right to privacy is affirmed.
ANNCR: How much privacy?
Liam: Privacy in condos is still a bit of a grey area. Residents and visitors should have a modified expectation of privacy – a lobby would be different than a storage room, for example. At Cohen Highley, we can help condo corps understand the rules and adequately protect their unit owners.
ANNCR: Thank you, Liam. This has been your Cohen Highley Legal Minute.
