Key points
- Read the condominium plan and bylaws.
- Ask about roof, exterior, foundation and yard responsibility.
- Inspect accessible interior systems and any agreed exterior areas.
Begin with the legal boundary
Some townhouse condominiums place roofs, exterior walls and landscaping under corporation maintenance. Others place more responsibility on individual owners. Bare-land condos can differ again. Ask for the condominium plan, bylaws and maintenance matrix before assuming which party pays for a component.
The inspector can report condition, but ownership and insurance obligations need to be checked against the documents. A loose deck guard or roof concern matters regardless of who ultimately pays.
Build a townhouse-specific scope
Interior plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilation, windows, doors and moisture remain important. Townhouses may also have garages, attics, basements, decks, grading and party walls. Confirm which of these areas are accessible and included in the inspection agreement.
Ask about shared utility services, drainage between units and fire separation. If a neighbour’s property or common area is inaccessible, the inspector should record that limit.
Look beyond the unit
Compare visible exterior conditions with corporation minutes, maintenance logs, reserve planning and any upcoming roof or envelope projects. If the corporation handles exterior work, a small visible issue may be part of a larger planned program—or a recurring unresolved problem.
Use the findings to ask the board or property manager focused questions about repair timing and funding. Avoid assuming a low monthly condo fee means low future maintenance cost.
Discuss the actual unit, not just the checklist.
A written inspection scope and property-specific report are the next step when you are making a Calgary condo decision. Meet Chris Tritter, our RealPartners-recommended inspection partner, and ask what he can assess for your unit.
Common questions
Is a townhouse inspection the same as a house inspection?
It can cover similar physical components, but the legal boundaries, shared systems and repair responsibilities require condo-specific document review.
Sources and further reading
Primary references for legal and financial background. Inspection scope and provider services should always be confirmed for the specific property.