Convert Apartments Into Condos
Please note, the City of Regina is reviewing its policy to convert rental apartments into condominiums. The policy below is in effect, however, City Council has issued a moratorium on future condo conversion applications until this review is complete. This policy review is being conducted by the Centre for Management Development. If you are thinking of converting an apartment into a condominium complex in Regina, you should review both provincial and municipal regulations and policies concerning this type of conversion.
Provincial regulations and policies
The provincial Office of Residential Tenancies, formerly referred to as the Rentalsman, is responsible for administering The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, which governs the relationships between tenants and property owners. You can view this Act by visiting the Queen’s Printer at the Government of Saskatchewan website.
The City of Regina has no part in these relationships or in administering this Act.
If you are renting and have questions about your rights as an owner or renter, please contact the Office of Residential Tenancies.
Municipal regulations and policies
The City of Regina Condominium Conversion Policy regulates the creation of condominium title properties. If you wish to convert your rental units (apartments) into condominium ownership units, you must:
- submit an condominium conversion application to the City
- provide information to tenants about the proposed condominium conversion
- allow the City to survey tenants about the proposed condominium conversion
Regina City Council has the ability to deny applications for condominium conversion if the conversion would create significant hardship for more than 10% of the tenants, based on responses to the tenant survey.
Vacancy rates and condominium conversions
Vacancy rates indicate whether renters will be able to find alternate accommodation in the event an apartment conversion to condo is planned.
If the vacancy rate in both Regina as a whole, and the neighbourhood where the property is located, is 3% or higher, the City’s evaluation of the application for condo conversion is more technical in nature. The tenant survey results and an assessment of potential hardship to the will be included in the report to City Council.
If the vacancy rate is lower than 3%, City’s regulations do not allow for the conversion of rental properties to condominium ownership as this low vacancy rate indicates a tighter rental market. This restriction may be waived if a City survey indicates that 75% or more of the tenants support the condo conversion. In this case, your application may be approved as long as the technical regulations are met.
Empty apartment buildings
If the property is vacant and the vacancy rate is lower than 3%, the City cannot conduct a tenant survey and the restriction on conversion cannot be waived. To proceed with a residential condominium conversion in this case, you as the building owner would need to either wait until the vacancy rate rose above 3% or apply once the building was fully occupied with tenants.