I am writing to provide you with an important update regarding the licence application deadline. As you are probably aware, the deadline to apply for a licence from the Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario (CMRAO) was January 29, 2018. I want to acknowledge the efforts of individual applicants, condo management companies and industry associations in meeting this deadline. Our staff are diligently reviewing all applications and have begun issuing licences.
Since January 30, 2018, the CMRAO has received a number of inquiries from individuals who missed the licence application deadline or were unable to complete their online applications. In addition, after reviewing information from Condominium Management Provider Licence applications, the CMRAO has identified more than 200 individuals who have not yet applied.
What does this mean?
Any individual or company that failed to submit a licence application by the January 29 deadline, and continues to provide condo management services,
has been doing so illegally
.
Given the circumstances, I have determined that it is appropriate to exercise my discretion to extend the application deadline under subsections 9(3), 14(3) and 19(3) of the General Regulation 123/17 (made under the Condominium Management Services Act, 2015). To ensure transparency, objectivity, impartiality and fairness, there will be a single
extension period
for all potential applicants.
Accordingly, the new application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on March 30, 2018.
All applications must be submitted online through the
CMRAO’s website
.
What happens if you miss the new deadline?
Any individual or company that has not already applied is encouraged to do so immediately. If you or someone you know has questions, or is experiencing technical difficulties, please contact us. CMRAO staff are available to help, but you are expected to meet this deadline.
Failure to apply for a General Licence or a Transitional General Licence by the March 30 deadline carries significant consequences. Applicants who miss the deadline (and who otherwise qualify) will be required to start with a Limited Licence before progressing to a General Licence. As Limited Licensees, these individuals will have to:
- work under specific conditions
- work under the supervision of a General or Transitional General Licence holder
Prior to progressing to a General Licence, they will also have to:
- complete specific tasks under the supervision of a General or Transitional General Licensee
- complete the required education requirements within five years submitting their application for General Licence
Background on legislation and regulation
On November 1, 2017, the
Condominium Management Services Act, 2015
(CMSA) came into effect. On that day, any individual or company that had been providing condo management services within the one year prior to November 1, 2017 was ‘deemed’ to hold a licence. Individuals with two or more years experience within the previous five years were deemed to hold a Transitional General Licence, while individuals with fewer than two years experience were deemed to hold a Limited Licence. All Deemed Licences expired 90 days after November 1, 2017 (January 29, 2018), unless the individual or company had already submitted a licence application or had been granted an extension to their deemed licence by the Registrar.
Subsections 9(3), 14(3) and 19(3) of the
General Regulation 123/17
allow the Registrar to grant an extension to the application deadline if the Registrar believes that not granting the extension would cause undue hardship to a person or entity.
Ali Arlani
Chief Executive Officer & Registrar
CMRAO
