The $10,000 Doorbell: A Condo Owner’s Worst Nightmare
This is a cautionary table about how a simple click turned into a $10,000 doorbell.
The Toronto Star recently reported about a couple in the Niagara region that decided to add a little modern security and bought a smart doorbell—it seemed like a common-sense security upgrade, but the Condo Board saw it differently.
You see in a condo, your front door and the hallway are "Common Elements" that belong to the condo. By drilling into that door and installing a camera that recorded the hallway, the owner had technically altered common property without permission and the condo board sent them a notice that the doorbell violated the building’s rules.
Instead of taking it down immediately, a dispute began about it which quickly escalated. There were cease-and-desist letters, legal consultations, and eventually, a demand for compliance. By the time the dust settled, the "simple" doorbell installation had racked up a staggering bill. The final price tag for the owner that was decided by a judge? $10,000.
The moral of the story? If you are in condo, then before you reach for the power drill—even for something as small as a doorbell or a planter—check if it’s allowed with your condo board first - it’s always cheaper to ask for permission than it is to pay for forgiveness.
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Kyle Dovigi
Real Estate Broker | CondoMillionaire.com
Anyone can become a Condo Millionaire - all it takes is one.
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