Under what condition is a new certificate of location needed?

A certificate of location is a crucial document in real estate transactions as it provides an accurate depiction of land boundaries and structures on a property. In many jurisdictions, including Quebec, there are specific regulations regarding when a new certificate is required.

Having a certificate of location that is older than 10 years makes it necessary to obtain a new one to ensure that the information is current and accurate. Changes in land use, property boundaries, and zoning laws may have occurred since the original certificate was issued. As time passes, there might also be alterations in municipal regulations or the property itself that necessitate an updated reflection of the property’s current state.

While renovations (the first choice) may or may not require a new certificate, depending on their scope and impact on property boundaries, and seller or buyer requests (the third and fourth choices) do not inherently trigger legal requirements for a new certificate. The specific timeframe for the age of the existing certificate is a clear objective standard that justifies the need for an update, which is why the requirement for a certificate older than 10 years is the correct answer.