Condo Disputes in Ontario: How the Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT) Works
Noise from the unit upstairs, a board that will not hand over records, a fight about your dog or your parking spot — many Ontario condo disputes are resolved...
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of disputes can the Condominium Authority Tribunal hear?
A defined list: condominium records; pets and animals; vehicles, parking and storage; nuisances, annoyances and disruptions — specifically noise, odour, light, vibration, smoke and vapour; and compliance with settlement agreements reached at the CAT. Its jurisdiction is set by the Condominium Act, 1998, so anything not on the list is outside its reach.
Can a tenant file a CAT application?
No. Only unit owners, mortgagees, and condo corporations can file with the CAT. If you rent a condo and your neighbour's noise is the problem, you cannot bring the application yourself — you would need to go through the unit owner or the condo corporation, or deal with your own landlord at the Landlord and Tenant Board.
How much does it cost to file at the CAT?
There is a non-refundable $25 fee to file an application, with additional fees as the case moves into the later stages. Even carried through to a binding decision, it costs a small fraction of a Superior Court proceeding.
Can I file a CAT application against my condo manager?
No. The Tribunal cannot accept applications against a condo manager or management company — managers act on behalf of the corporation, so the application would generally be against the corporation itself. Complaints about a manager's professional conduct go to the Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario (CMRAO).
What are the three stages of a CAT case?
Stage 1 is Negotiation, where the parties try to resolve it themselves in the online system. Stage 2 is Mediation with a CAT mediator. Stage 3 is the Tribunal Decision, where a CAT member hears the case and issues a binding order. Everything happens online and in writing.
Can a paralegal represent me at the CAT?
Yes. Licensed Ontario paralegals can represent owners and corporations at the Condominium Authority Tribunal, from preparing the application through negotiation, mediation, and the Stage 3 hearing.
Contact Legal Assist
Legal Assist Paralegal Services — Licensed by the Law Society of Ontario. Serving London, Ontario and Southwestern Ontario. Call 226-272-5153 or email jeanfrancois@legalassist.london for a free consultation.