Alexander Baraz. Independent Condo Advisor in Ontario
CondoOwnerAdvisor is an independent educational project. I help condo owners understand what’s really happening behind fees, notices, and decisions – before the situation becomes more expensive or difficult to reverse. My goal is to explain everything as simply and honestly as possible, so you can make informed choices instead of guessing.
About me
Alexander Baraz
Engineering background with honours degree. Decades of international experience in construction and development. Former Condominium Board President in Ontario.
I understand both the technical side of buildings and how condo boards work – and I explain it all in plain English, without confusing jargon.
Why people trust me
- I’m 100% independent
- I have no ties to your Board or Management company
- I always tell it straight
- Total confidentiality
Typical situations I help with
Most condo problems start with something that does not fully make sense: a letter, a charge, a fee increase, a notice, or a decision that affects your money.
- Sudden or poorly explained chargebacks and bills
- Unexpected maintenance fee increases
- Special assessments with unclear justification
- Engineering or reserve fund reports that are hard to understand
- Situations where communication with management or the board becomes formal or difficult
Real situations I often see
A simple garage complaint turns into legal costs
An owner received a complaint about driving in the garage with no clear measurements, report, or evidence. A month later, a lawyer’s letter arrived demanding that the behaviour stop, along with $890 in legal costs.
When the owner tried to respond, communication stopped. Soon after, a Notice of Lien for over $2,000 was sent to the bank, and the bank paid it to protect the mortgage.
What started as a simple question became a financial recovery problem.
A long dispute with the board and management
A townhouse owner spent years in conflict over basement use, vehicles, and compliance issues. The city required certain changes.
After those changes were made, the condominium demanded something different. Communication broke down, everything moved through lawyers, and costs kept rising.
Situations like this are not rare. Many owners only understand the pattern after the situation has already escalated.
Questions I help you understand
• Is this charge reasonable or should I question it?
• Why did the fees increase so much?
• Does this special assessment actually make sense?
• What does this engineering report mean in practical terms?
• Why did communication suddenly become formal?
• Why did this turn into a legal issue so quickly?
• What documents should I look at first?
• What is really behind this decision?
Important note
CondoOwnerAdvisor provides educational explanations only. I do not provide legal advice, engineering inspections, audits, or professional opinions. My role is to help you understand the situation more clearly, see what may be happening behind the documents, and ask better questions before you decide what to do next.
Not sure what is happening in your condo?
Describe your situation in a few sentences. No legal language needed.