A condo inspection checks the condition of the unit you are buying, from the HVAC system and plumbing to windows, balconies, and visible signs of leaks, so you know what you are taking on before your condition date. North GTA has some of the busiest condo markets in Ontario: towers along Yonge Street in North York, mid-rise buildings around Downtown Markham and Unionville, and new buildings along the Yonge Street and Highway 7 corridors in Richmond Hill. Golden Home Inspections inspects condos across North York, Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Aurora, and Newmarket, as well as Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Oshawa. Your inspector is Certified/Registered Home Inspector Yama Nehan, with about 15 years of home inspection experience and a place among the top inspectors in Ontario. Call 647-704-7100.
Key takeaways
- A condo inspection covers the unit’s interior and systems; the condo corporation usually maintains the common elements.
- The status certificate and the inspection answer different questions, so you need both.
- In-suite heating and cooling units (fan coils or heat pumps) and their drain lines are a key check in high-rise condos.
- Brand-new condos have a pre-delivery inspection with the builder, which is not the same as an independent inspection.
- Book quickly after your offer is accepted, and ask the seller or property manager for access to any locker or storage area.
What does a condo inspector check in North York, Markham and Richmond Hill?
Golden Home Inspections follows the InterNACHI (NACHI) Standards of Practice. In a condo, the focus is on everything inside the unit and the parts of the building you can see from it.
| Area | What we check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Heating and cooling | Fan coil or heat pump operation, filters, condensate drain lines and pans, thermostats | In-suite units are often the owner’s responsibility, and clogged drains are a common source of leaks. |
| Plumbing | Supply and drain lines under sinks, shut-off valves, toilets, tubs, showers, and the water heater if the unit has one | Small leaks can damage your unit and the one below, and lead to insurance and condo board issues. |
| Electrical | The suite panel, breakers, outlets, GFCI protection in kitchens and bathrooms, and visible wiring | Unsafe or amateur electrical work is a safety risk and can be costly to fix. |
| Windows and doors | Seals, visible condensation between panes, operation, and caulking | Failed seals and leaks around windows are common in older towers. |
| Balcony or terrace | Surface condition, drainage, railings, and the door to the balcony | Balcony repairs are usually handled by the corporation, but you want to know about visible damage. |
| Kitchen and bathrooms | Appliances, exhaust fans, caulking, and signs of past water damage | Weak exhaust and poor caulking lead to moisture and mould in small, sealed units. |
| Interior finishes | Floors, walls, ceilings, and stains that suggest leaks from above | Ceiling stains can point to a past leak from the unit above or a plumbing riser. |
| Safety | Smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm where needed, and visible fire separation features like self-closing doors | Ontario’s Fire Code requires working smoke alarms, and a carbon monoxide alarm is required near sleeping areas where there is a fuel-burning appliance. |
The inspection is visual and non-invasive. We do not open walls or move the seller’s belongings. See our condo inspection services for more on what is included.
How is a condo inspection different from the status certificate?
Under Ontario’s Condominium Act, 1998, a condo corporation must provide a status certificate within 10 days of a request. The status certificate is a financial and legal document; the inspection is a look at physical condition. Use both before you firm up.
| Status certificate | Condo inspection | |
|---|---|---|
| Who reviews it | Your real estate lawyer | Your home inspector |
| What it covers | Reserve fund, monthly fees, special assessments, legal actions, rules, and insurance | The physical condition of the unit and its systems |
| What it can reveal | Upcoming fee increases, planned major repairs, or a low reserve fund | Leaks, failing in-suite equipment, electrical issues, and worn finishes |
| What it does not show | The condition of your specific unit | The building’s finances or legal matters |
For a deeper look at how these fit together, read what condo buyers in Toronto should expect and our guide to choosing a top condo inspector in Toronto.
What condo issues come up in north GTA buildings?
North York has a mix of older towers from the 1970s and 1980s and newer buildings near Yonge and Sheppard and Yonge and Finch. Markham and Richmond Hill are mostly newer mid-rise and high-rise buildings. Different ages bring different issues:
- Older towers: aging windows and seals, original fan coil units near the end of their life, and older plumbing in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Newer buildings: missed caulking, loose fixtures, poorly sloped balcony drains, and finishing gaps the builder should fix.
- All ages: clogged condensate lines, weak bathroom exhaust, and stains on ceilings from units above.
Buying a new condo in Markham or Richmond Hill?
If you are buying a brand-new condo, the builder will walk you through a pre-delivery inspection (PDI) before you move in, and new condo units in Ontario are covered by the Tarion new home warranty. The builder’s PDI is not an independent check, so many buyers bring their own inspector to note issues before warranty deadlines. Read more in our new home inspection guide.
Condo buyer checklist for North York, Markham and Richmond Hill
- Ask your lawyer to order and review the status certificate.
- Book the condo inspection as soon as your offer is accepted.
- Ask the seller about the age of the fan coil or heat pump and when it was last serviced.
- Ask whether the water heater (if in-suite) is owned or rented.
- Confirm which parts of the unit and balcony the corporation maintains.
- Attend the inspection and look at the photos in the report.
- Review the report and the status certificate together before your condition date.
Why condo buyers choose Golden Home Inspections
Yama Nehan is a Certified and Registered Home Inspector with about 15 years of home inspection experience and is among the top inspectors in Ontario. Golden Home Inspections follows the NACHI Standards of Practice, carries liability and errors-and-omissions insurance, and gives you a clear written report with photos. See our home inspection services or learn about us.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need an inspection for a condo?
Yes. The corporation looks after common elements, but your in-suite heating and cooling, plumbing, electrical, appliances, and finishes are usually yours to repair. The inspection tells you their condition.
How long does a condo inspection take?
Usually less time than a house, often a couple of hours depending on the size of the unit.
Can you inspect the roof or parking garage?
Those are common elements and usually not accessible to buyers. The status certificate and reserve fund study are the better sources for their condition.
Are home inspections regulated in Ontario?
No. Home inspections are not regulated by Ontario legislation, so check experience, standards, and insurance before you book. More answers are on our FAQs page.
Do you inspect condos in Vaughan and Aurora too?
Yes. We inspect condos across north GTA, including Vaughan, Aurora, and Newmarket, and in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Oshawa.
Book a condo inspection in North York, Markham or Richmond Hill
Call 647-704-7100, email contact@goldenhomeinspections.ca, or book an inspection online.
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