Condo Inspection Montréal | MTL Home Inspection

Buying a condo in Montréal, new or existing? I'm Pantelis Ambatzis, a Certified Master Inspector (CMI®). I inspect the unit you're buying and, with the syndicate's permission, the common areas that affect it. You can come along for the whole inspection, and I explain every finding on site, in English or French.

What a condo inspection covers

The inspection follows the BNQ 3009-500 standard and covers everything visible and safely accessible in the private unit. In a condo, some of the most expensive items (roof, facade, foundation, garage, common plumbing) belong to the syndicate, so I also look at the common areas I'm allowed to access and tell you what I see. The inspection is visual: I don't open walls and I don't check code compliance.

What I check in the unit

Windows, doors and balcony: condition, seals, signs of water getting in;
Walls, ceilings and floors: stains, cracks and signs of past leaks, especially under bathrooms and kitchens of the unit above;
Plumbing: sinks, shower and tub, drains, visible pipes, water heater and its age;
Electrical: panel, visible wiring, outlets in the kitchen and bathrooms;
Heating, air conditioning and ventilation: heat pump or baseboards, bathroom fans, range hood and dryer vent;
Hidden moisture, with a moisture meter and a thermal camera around windows, exterior walls and ceilings.

Thermal image of an interior wall corner that is colder than the rest of the room, where condensation can form — A cold wall corner seen with the thermal camera. In a condo, this is where condensation and mould often start, so I check it with the moisture meter.

The common areas and the syndicate's documents

With the syndicate's permission, I look at the accessible common areas: hallways and stairs, the garage, the roof if it's safely accessible, and the mechanical rooms. Time spent in the common areas is billed extra, as shown on the price list. Ask your broker for the seller's declaration and the listing sheet. Also ask the syndicate for its documents: recent minutes, the contingency fund study and the maintenance log. They tell you what work is planned and whether special assessments are likely. The inspection and these documents together give you the full picture.

New condos

A new condo can still have installation defects: poorly sealed windows, missing insulation, ventilation that doesn't work properly. An inspection before you take possession gives you an independent list of what needs to be corrected by the builder. For syndicates, I also do preventive inspections and inspections before or after acceptance of the common areas; see building inspection.

The report

You receive a written BNQ 3009-500 report with photos, findings ranked by priority and maintenance advice, often delivered the same day. It helps you decide with your broker: go ahead, negotiate, or bring in a specialist before your deadline. For the full process, see pre-purchase home inspection.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need access to the common areas?

It's strongly recommended. The syndicate or the building manager has to give permission; your broker can ask for it when booking the visit.

Can you check for mould in a condo?

Yes. When I see signs of moisture, we can go further with a mold inspection and air sampling.

Buying a condo? Call 514-924-8887 for a same-day quote, or reach us through the contact page.

Condo Inspection in Montréal