![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/vaccine-condos.jpg\")
<\/a>Photo: James Bombales<\/em><\/p>\nNew insights recently published<\/a> by Strata.ca detail how Ontario\u2019s incoming proof of vaccination requirements could potentially affect condo buildings if boards decide to step into the fray.<\/p>\n In an effort to improve immunization rates and reduce risk as the province grapples with its fourth wave of COVID-19, Ontario will require that patrons provide proof of their fully-vaccinated status<\/a> when entering certain businesses or public settings as of Sept. 22. This will include access to indoor dining in restaurants, night clubs, sporting events and other gathering spaces.<\/p>\n Although Premier Doug Ford has said that the measure would be temporary<\/a>, Strata.ca points out that many sectors could implement vaccine mandates of their own, including the real estate industry. That could mean flashing your proof of vaccination before enjoying any of your building\u2019s amenities.<\/p>\n\n Whether it\u2019s related to \u201cpersonal human rights or medical secrecy laws,\u201d Strata.ca agent Nathaniel Hartree-Hallifax stated in the report that he has yet come across any condo residents who are worried about vacation requirements potentially coming to their building. Fellow realtor Larry Medina also shared this experience.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, clients do ask if I know what percentage of residents are fully vaccinated in a building we\u2019re viewing,\u201d said Medina. \u201cObviously, I don\u2019t have the answer to this.\u201d<\/p>\n Strata.ca broker Cliff Liu said that none of his clients have ever voiced concerns about vaccine mandates, but they are still cautious about getting close to others.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m in and out of buildings all the time, and I see that the stairwells get a lot more traffic than the elevators,\u201d Liu said. \u201cResidents seem respectful of each other\u2019s space, even without a vaccine policy in place.\u201d<\/p>\n When it comes to the legal side of things, condo litigation lawyer Bradley Chaplick said that the absence of a provincial passport system has kept strata boards from enforcing vaccination mandates of their own. Authorities have reportedly been struggling with how to confirm a person\u2019s vaccination status while \u201climiting incursions on privacy,\u201d but Chaplick says the vaccine passport now makes these rules easier to implement.<\/p>\n \u201cThis could also open the door for local municipalities to enforce their own policies requiring condos to limit amenities to vaccinated people only,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Strata.ca explains that when it comes to restricting what condo residents and visitors can do, the law requires that rules be \u201creasonable\u201d and for a proper purpose such as promoting safety.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the absence of a proper rule, the residents have a presumptive right to use these amenities,\u201d said Chaplick.<\/p>\n With condo boards continuing to monitor resident safety, Strata.ca noted that some owners may question which common areas may be off limits to those who are unvaccinated. Chaplick explained that a vaccine policy could be applied to an area that is used by more than one household concurrently, but areas such as guest suites \u2014 which are used by one party at a time \u2014 may not as they do not pose the same potential danger.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re talking about access to \u2018non-essential\u2019 common areas only, primarily the amenities, such as a swimming pool or gym,\u201d said Chaplick \u201cWe\u2019re not talking about common areas necessary to access individual suites, like lobbies and elevators.\u201d<\/p>\n While there may be some \u201cunhappy campers\u201d with the decision to require proof of vaccination to access condo amenities, Liu said that, \u201c[This] type of rule could improve the perception of a building that\u2019s trying to show it really cares about resident safety.\u201d<\/p>\n Should condo boards implement vaccination requirements or not, Hartree-Hallifax said this would have little impact on a building\u2019s overall resale value.<\/p>\n \u201cIn my experience, those who are not vaccinated want their private space in a very literal sense,\u201d he said. \u201cSo for those who can afford it, this compact condominium lifestyle and sharing of amenities is not their ideal situation anyways.\u201d<\/p>\n Fellow Strata.ca agent Francisco Hiebert added that prices for condos are established by recent comparable units sold, not on whether people can use amenities.<\/p>\n<\/a>Photo:\u00a0mahdis mousavi<\/a>\u00a0\/ Unsplash<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>Photo:\u00a0garrett parker<\/a>\u00a0\/ Unsplash<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n