Navigate Ontario’s Complex Condominium Landscape

The Condominium Act, 1998 (the “Condo Act”)
establishes the regulatory framework for over 900,000 condominium units in
Ontario. It governs everything from how boards must conduct meetings and
manage reserve funds, to the rights of owners to access records, challenge
budgets, and vote on major repairs. Despite these protections, disputes
between unit owners and condo corporations are common — and often
escalate quickly when communication breaks down.

In 2017, Ontario introduced the
Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT) to provide
accessible, online dispute resolution for condo communities. The CAT
handles disputes related to records access, pets, vehicles, parking,
storage, nuisance complaints, and other issues governed by a
corporation’s declaration, by-laws, and rules. From 2024 forward,
the CAT’s jurisdiction has been expanding to cover a broader range
of disputes, making it the primary forum for resolving most condo-related
conflicts outside of court.

Our licensed paralegals represent unit owners, boards, and property
managers across the Greater Toronto Area — including Toronto,
Mississauga, Brampton, and surrounding regions. We handle matters from the
initial negotiation stage through to a binding CAT order, and we prepare
cases for Small Claims Court when amounts exceed the CAT’s scope.
Every case is managed directly by a
Law Society of Ontario
licensed paralegal.

Ontario Condominium Dispute Types & Forums

Understanding where your dispute is heard determines your strategy,
timeline, and cost.

Common Condo Owner Mistakes That Cost Thousands

Even experienced property owners underestimate how quickly a condominium
dispute can escalate. The Condo Act and your corporation’s
declaration create legally binding obligations — and ignoring them
can have serious financial consequences. Here are the mistakes we see most
often:

1. 1
   Not reviewing the status certificate before buying.
   A status certificate reveals the corporation’s financial
   health, pending lawsuits, reserve fund adequacy, and special
   assessments. Skipping this review can leave you on the hook for tens
   of thousands in unexpected costs within months of closing.
2. 2
   Ignoring common expense arrears notices.
   Under Section 85 of the Condo Act, a corporation can register a
   lien against your unit for unpaid common expenses after just 15
   days. Once a lien is registered, they can pursue power-of-sale
   proceedings to force the sale of your unit.
3. 3
   Making unauthorized modifications to the unit.
   Renovations that affect common elements — plumbing,
   electrical, structural walls, or even flooring that impacts
   soundproofing — typically require board approval under the
   corporation’s declaration. Proceeding without approval can
   result in orders to reverse the work at your expense.
4. 4
   Failing to respond to a CAT application.
   If another party files a Condominium Authority Tribunal application
   against you and you do not participate, the adjudicator can issue a
   default order. This order is binding and enforceable through the
   courts.
5. 5
   Assuming the board always acts in good faith.
   While most boards act responsibly, some directors prioritize
   personal interests, refuse to enforce rules consistently, or
   withhold records. Section 17 of the Condo Act requires directors to
   act honestly and in good faith — and owners have every right
   to hold them accountable.
6. 6
   Withholding common expense payments as a protest.
   Even if you believe the corporation is mismanaging funds, you
   cannot withhold common expenses. The obligation to pay is absolute
   under the Condo Act, and non-payment triggers the lien process
   regardless of the underlying dispute.

A licensed paralegal helps you avoid these pitfalls and ensures your
rights are protected at every stage. The cost of professional
representation is often a fraction of what an unresolved dispute can cost
in legal fees, special assessments, or a forced sale.

Recent Ontario Condominium Law Updates

Ontario’s condominium landscape continues to evolve with legislative
and regulatory changes. Staying informed protects your investment and
ensures you can exercise your rights effectively.

Expanded CAT jurisdiction. The Condominium Authority
Tribunal has progressively expanded its mandate since 2017. As of 2024,
the CAT now handles disputes related to nuisance, annoyance, and
disruption, in addition to its original scope of records, pets, vehicles,
parking, and storage. This means more disputes can be resolved online
without the cost and delay of court proceedings.

Mandatory reserve fund studies. Under Ontario Regulation
48/01, condo corporations must conduct a reserve fund study at least every
three years and update it in between. Boards that fail to maintain an
adequate reserve fund expose owners to the risk of large special
assessments for major repairs such as roof replacements, elevator
modernizations, or garage waterproofing.

Increased transparency requirements. Amendments to the
Condo Act and its regulations have strengthened owners’ rights to
access corporation records. Boards must provide records within 30 days of
a request, and unreasonable refusals can be challenged at the CAT.
Directors who obstruct access may face personal liability.

Insurance cost pressures. Condominium insurance premiums
across Ontario have risen dramatically since 2020. Corporations are
passing these costs through to owners via increased common expenses and
higher deductible thresholds in the standard unit by-law. Owners should
review their personal condo insurance to ensure adequate coverage for the
gap between the corporation’s deductible and their personal
liability.

We monitor every change to the Condo Act, CAT Rules of Practice, and
related Ontario regulations so our clients are always prepared. If you are
unsure how a recent change affects your unit or corporation,
contact us for a free case review.