How many units are in the building?

The Northumberland is a five storey building with 44 luxury suites.  The first floor has 10 suites.  Levels 2, 3, and 4 have 9 suites.  And, level five (otherwise known as the penthouse level) has 8 suites.  There is also an underground heated garage, which contains 44 parking spaces and storage lockers, one for each suite. 

How are parking spaces and storage lockers chosen?

Each parking space is chosen on a first come, first serve basis.  Once you choose your space, based on availability at the time of purchase, you are deeded that property upon closing.  Your individual storage locker is located in front of your chosen parking space. 

Can I use a barbeque on my balcony?

Yes.  The Northumberland is comprised of concrete, steel, stone, and iron.  Our concrete balconies, stone exterior, and iron railings meet fire codes that allow our residents to use gas grills on their own individual terrace as well as on the common rooftop patio. 

What is the guest suite and how does it work?

The Guest Suite is like a luxury hotel room.  It has a queen size bed, digital cable, internet access, local telephone, mini fridge, ironing board, and large bathroom.  Any resident can call the live-in manager to book it for friends or family who are coming to visit but want their own space.  The cost is $38 per night and all proceeds go to the Condominium Corporation’s Social Fund.  This fund is used for social events at The Northumberland, such as the annual Christmas party. 

Are the units air conditioned and how are they heated? 

Yes, each suite has its own combined air conditioning and air exchange system.  A hot water baseboard system is used the heat the suites and the hot water source is PEI Energy Systems, which is sometimes referred to as a district heating system.

What security features does The Northumberland offer?

The intercom in the entry vestibule is programmed with a code (for security purposes) and is facilitated using phone lines.  For example, Mr. Smith will be assigned a code for display in the entry, such as 951, so as not to reveal the location of his suite in the building.  If a friend of relative arrives, they will look for his name (if he wishes to display his name on the panel) and enter the corresponding number – 951.  Mr. Smith’s phone will ring and he can talk to the individuals in the entry vestibule.  He can hit number 9 on his phone to open the door for them and verbally tell the individual(s) the number of his suite.  There are also two security cameras; one security camera is located above the intercom system in the entry vestibule and is linked to the building’s cable network.  A specific channel is assigned to allow residents to view who is in the entry vestibule at any time and/or the other security camera location. 

Who is on The Northumberland’s Board of Directors and what is its role?

What are the responsibilities of the on-site manager? 

Do you have a generator?

Yes, The Northumberland has its own diesel powered generator.  It can run the entire building for up to 48 hours on just one tank of fuel.  The residents were delighted during several power outages in the city this year.  There was no interruption in their normal daily living whatsoever. 

What are condo fees?

Condo fees (Also referred to as common area fees and maintenance fees) are monthly fees for the utilities, regular upkeep, management, administration and insurance for the common element areas. The fees vary according to the scale, structure, and location of the different condominium complexes and size of each condominium home within it. Each homeowner's portion of these expenses is set out in the budget statement, which lists the percentage for which each unit is responsible. Essentially, these fees cover each individual suite owner’s contribution to the costs required to run the common areas of the building.  The ownership of a condominium involves 2 aspects: 1. Separate ownership and title of your suite, parking space, and storage locker and, 2. Shared ownership and costs of maintaining and repairing the common elements, which are shared by all homeowners. Some of The Northumberland’s common areas include the lobby, hallways, elevators,  stairwells, rooftop,  guest suite, entertainment room (or common room), fitness room, general storage, on-site manager’s suite, car wash by, the exterior property, and the “envelope” of the building itself.
 
How much are condo fees at The Northumberland?  How are they structured and what do they include?

The Northumberland condominium fees are calculated based on the square footage of each individual suite and amount to less than $0.34 per square foot per month. Monthly fees cover heat and water utilities for each individual suite as well as each owners contribution to the following common area expenses:

Are The Northumberland Condos for purchase or rent?

Our suites are only available for purchase.  However, we have recently launched a new Lease to Own Program.  This program was designed for individuals who are very serious about purchasing a Northumberland condo, but are not yet in a position to purchase for one reason or another.  This option is available to all pre- qualified buyers.  Lease payments range from $1500 per month to $5725 per month, depending on the chosen suite. To learn more about this program, click on Lease to Own logo or call Rachelle at 628-6072. 

After purchasing a suite, are you allowed to lease it to another party?

Yes.  Once the suite is purchased, you have the option to lease it to another party.  However, the Condominium Corporation’s by-laws require that the lease be at least three-months in length. 

Can I choose my own finishes? 

In the pre-construction stage, purchasers were able to customize their units by choosing their own finishes (kitchen cabinet style and color, countertops, hardware, flooring, paint colors, and to some extent, even interior unit layouts).  However, now that the building is complete, all finishes in the unsold units had to be chosen.  Each unsold unit was finished in a slightly different neutral-style to provide a broad appeal.  Once purchased, the new owner(s) can make changes to their property at their own cost if desired. 

Do you have to pay property tax on a condo?

When you purchase a condominium apartment, you are purchasing a piece of property.  The word “condominium” does not refer to the property itself, contrary to popular belief.  Condominium is a legal term used to describe a type of ownership.  When you purchase a piece of property, you are required to pay property taxes.  Property taxes for each individual unit are the responsibility of the property owner and, therefore, are NOT covered in the common area fees, which are otherwise known as condominium fees. Generally speaking, condo fees only cover common expenses, not individual expenses. 
The amount of property taxes you are required to pay is determined by the provincial assessment of the property you purchase. 

How much are the property taxes for a Northumberland Condo?

Assessments for units purchased at The Northumberland are coming in at approximately 80% of selling price, less the value of the appliances.  Owners are required to pay $1.67 for every $100 of the assessed value of their unit. The municipal levy is $1.33 per $100 of assessment and the provincial levy is $0.34 per $100 of assessment.  Please call the Provincial Property Tax office for more information or clarification. 

Click here to view a property tax example

Does The Northumberland qualify for the municipal property tax rebate?
 
YES!  Condominium suites purchased at The Northumberland qualify for the municipal property tax rebate being offered by The City of Charlottetown.  After paying a full-year of taxes, the municipality will rebate 100% of the municipal portion of your property taxes.  After the second year, 80% will be rebated.  After the third year, 60% will be rebated.  After the fourth year, 40% will be rebated. And finally, after the fifth year, 20% will be rebated.  This amounts to a considerable tax savings! Click here to see an example of the property tax rebate offered to residents of The Northumberland. 

Click here to view a property tax rebate example

What is meant by the Condo Corporation’s by-laws?
The by-laws are rules regarding a condominium corporation's internal operations. They establish procedures and rules that promote the safety, security and welfare of owners, property, and assets of the corporation. Before making your purchase decision, you should be familiar with the condominium's by-laws as it will contain information about any restrictions - for example pets, renting, number of occupants, renovations, terrace décor, window treatments, etc.  For example, The Northumberland’s by-laws allow pets up to a certain size and requires all window treatments that can be seen from the exterior to be white or off-white.