Can I get a status certificate before buying a new condo that hasn't registered yet?

A status certificate is a document issued by a condominium corporation that discloses key financial and legal information about the condo — including the reserve fund balance, budget, any special assessments, pending litigation, and the rules and declaration of the corporation. The problem with pre-construction condos is that the condominium corporation does not exist until the project registers, so no status certificate can be issued before that point.

This is one of the inherent information gaps in buying pre-construction. Instead of a status certificate, you rely on the builder's disclosure statement (which must be provided under the Condominium Act), the proposed budget, and the draft declaration and by-laws. These are projections and drafts — they become binding only once the corporation is registered, and they may be amended before registration.

Once the project registers and you are past the final closing, you can request a status certificate at any time. Status certificates are commonly ordered when reselling a registered condo unit.

For pre-construction, have your lawyer review the disclosure statement and proposed declaration thoroughly. Pay particular attention to how fees are structured, what is and is not included in common expenses, and whether any existing litigation is disclosed against the builder or the project.