Highlights:

• National home sales edged 0.1% lower from October to November.
• Actual (not seasonally adjusted) activity was 5.9% above November 2012 levels.
• The number of newly listed homes rose 1.8% from October to November.

In a recent decision of the Court of Quebec, a small claims division¹, a co-owner of a syndicate of co-ownership saw the Court dismiss her claim for damages for loss of income and expenses caused by her fall on the snowy and icy ground of the condominium.

On the basis of a sample of structures common to both the  2012 and 2013 surveys, the average rent for  two-bedroom  apartments  increased  by  1.7  per  cent  in  the  province.  This  rate  reflects  those observed for the other bedroom types.

Avec l’arrivée de la saison froide, l’Association provinciale des constructeurs d’habitations du Québec (APCHQ) rappelle ses recommandations aux propriétaires d’habitations quant à l’utilisation de sels de déglaçage afin d’éviter que la surface des balcons en béton ne s’écaille ou ne s’effrite.

Municipalities issued building permits worth $7.2 billion in October, up 7.4% from September. This followed a 4.1% rise in the previous month. The total value of permits showed a slight upward trend on the strength of eight monthly increases since the beginning of the year.

Often attracted by enticing offers building owners are sometimes persuaded to sign a lease with a purchase option.

Following numerous setbacks of some of our members, we felt it was important to inform you how this type of contract is a source of conflicts, problems and worries of all kinds.

The Bank of Canada today announced that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 1 per cent. The Bank Rate is correspondingly 1 1/4 per cent and the deposit rate is 3/4 per cent.

The month of December is in many cases the last month to send a notice of repossession of a dwelling. We will see here what are the conditions necessary for its realization.