Quick answer: You can now set up a pre-authorized debit (PAD) directly from your syndicate's bank account to pay your CondoAide subscription. No more personal credit card, no more expense reports, no more monthly reimbursements. Setup takes five minutes; after that everything runs on autopilot, like any recurring vendor payment.
Why do syndicate treasurers avoid using their personal card?
If you run a condo syndicate in Quebec, you know the situation. The syndicate operates through a bank operating account — usually with Desjardins, RBC, or National Bank. But that account typically doesn't have a credit card attached. And even when it does, many boards prefer not to use it for online subscriptions.
The result: when something like CondoAide needs to be paid for, it's the treasurer who pulls out their own card. Then files an expense report. Then waits for reimbursement. Then does it all again next month.
Individually it's a small irritation. Cumulated over a year, and across each AGM's board rotation, it becomes real friction. For some syndicates it's even a reason to put off adopting otherwise-useful digital tools.
We heard this concern over and over during demos. Here's our answer.
What is a pre-authorized debit (PAD) for a syndicate?
We've added a new payment method: the pre-authorized debit (PAD), also known as ACSS Debit in technical documentation.
In practice:
- The treasurer authorizes CondoAide once to debit the subscription amount directly from the syndicate's bank account
- Subsequent payments happen automatically every month — or every year, if you chose the annual plan with its 2-month discount
- No personal credit card needed
- No expense report to file
- No reimbursement to chase down
It's exactly how your syndicate already pays its recurring vendors (insurance, common-area maintenance, elevator) — the same logic you apply to all day-to-day syndicate accounting. Except here, CondoAide is the recipient.
How does PAD payment work?
PAD authorization takes a few minutes from your billing settings:
- Go to Settings → Payment method in CondoAide
- Pick "Pay by bank account" (ACSS Debit)
- Enter the syndicate's bank details (institution number, transit number, account number)
- Accept the pre-authorized debit agreement (the mandate complies with Payments Canada Rule H1)
That's it. From then on, your withdrawals run automatically.
Micro-deposit verification
Before the very first withdrawal, two small amounts — about $0.10 each — will be deposited into your bank account. You'll need to confirm those amounts in CondoAide to permanently activate the PAD.
This verification step typically takes 2 to 3 business days. It's a delay imposed by the Canadian banking system (Payments Canada), not by CondoAide. During this window:
- Your free trial continues normally
- If you're already subscribed, your service stays active
- No interruption to worry about
Once verification is confirmed, all future withdrawals are automatic and instantaneous from the treasurer's perspective.
What if the treasurer changes?
A frequent and excellent question. Boards rotate at every AGM — what happens to the PAD mandate when the treasurer who signed it leaves?
The mandate is tied to the syndicate's bank account, not to the person who authorized it. As long as the syndicate keeps the same operating bank account, withdrawals continue normally — no matter who holds the treasurer role.
If the syndicate someday decides to change banks (rare, but it happens), the new board simply re-authorizes a new PAD mandate with the new bank details. The operation takes the same 2-3 business days as the first time.
To make transitions easier, the billing email address can be updated at any time by any administrator on the CondoAide account — it's not locked to the original treasurer.
When should you choose PAD over credit card?
Both options remain available. You can choose based on your situation:
| Choose PAD if... | Choose credit card if... |
|---|---|
| The syndicate has a bank operating account | You want immediate activation, without waiting 2-3 days |
| You want to avoid personal-card reimbursements | You (the treasurer) are comfortable using your personal card |
| You prefer full automation | The syndicate doesn't have a separate bank operating account yet |
| The mandate must survive board rotations | You need immediate activation to grab a time-limited promo |
For most syndicates we work with, PAD is the more natural fit. It aligns with how the syndicate already operates — like a recurring vendor payment.
Is PAD payment secure and regulation-compliant?
A few important points for cautious (rightly so) treasurers and boards:
- Banking details are handled directly by Stripe, our billing partner. Stripe is SOC 2 Type 2 certified and meets payment-industry standards (PCI DSS Level 1, the highest). CondoAide never stores your raw bank details — only a secure token that doesn't allow reconstructing the account number.
- The PAD mandate complies with Payments Canada Rule H1 on pre-authorized debits. That includes your right to revoke at any time, free of charge.
- Data transfers are compliant with Quebec's Law 25 on the protection of personal information.
- Our list of sub-processors (including Stripe) is published in our privacy policy.
You can revoke the PAD mandate at any time from your billing settings. If you'd rather contact us directly, our Person Responsible for the Protection of Personal Information is reachable at privacy@condoaide.ca.
Frequently asked questions about PAD payment for syndicates
What is pre-authorized debit (PAD) for a syndicate?
PAD (Pre-Authorized Debit) is a mandate that authorizes CondoAide to automatically debit your subscription amount directly from the syndicate's bank account, without manual intervention each cycle.
How long does micro-deposit verification take?
Verification takes 2 to 3 business days. During this window, your free trial or existing subscription continues normally, with no service interruption.
Does the PAD mandate stay valid when the treasurer changes?
Yes. The mandate is tied to the syndicate's bank account, not the person who signed it. As long as the syndicate keeps the same operating account, withdrawals continue automatically, regardless of board rotations.
How do I revoke a PAD mandate?
You can revoke the mandate at any time from your billing settings, or by writing to privacy@condoaide.ca. Revocation is instant and free, in accordance with Payments Canada Rule H1.
Is PAD payment more advantageous than credit card for a syndicate?
For most self-managed syndicates in Quebec, yes. PAD eliminates personal-card reimbursements, survives board changes, and aligns with your other recurring vendor payments. Credit card remains valid for immediate activation.
Activate PAD today. Sign in to your CondoAide account, go to Settings → Payment method, and pick "Pay by bank account." Setup takes five minutes; micro-deposit verification takes 2-3 business days; after that it's fully automatic.
If you have questions or hit any issue during verification, write to us at support@condoaide.ca — we're here to help.
Not a CondoAide customer yet? Start with a 30-day free trial — no credit card required. To see how CondoAide compares to other options on the market, also check out the comparative cost of condo management software in Quebec.