Ontario | Disputes
The Condominium Authority Tribunal: What It Hears and What It Costs
The Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT) is Ontario's online tribunal for some condo disputes: records, pets, vehicles, parking, storage and nuisances such as noise and smoke. Most other disputes about the declaration, by-laws or rules go to mediation and then arbitration, which the Act writes into every declaration.
The short answer
- The CAT hears records disputes, nuisance disputes, and disputes about rules on pets, vehicles, parking and storage (O. Reg. 179/17 s. 1(1)).
- Fees: $25 to file, $50 for mediation and $125 for adjudication, $200 in all, according to the CAO.
- Apply within two years after the dispute arose. The Tribunal can extend that by up to one year.
- Orders can award compensation up to $25,000, rising to $50,000 from July 1, 2027.
- Other disputes under the declaration, by-laws or rules go to mediation and then arbitration (s. 132).
What the Tribunal can hear
- Records: requests, refusals, fees and the penalty for refusing without reasonable excuse.
- Nuisance under s. 117(2), including odour, smoke, vapour, light, vibration and unreasonable noise.
- Provisions of the declaration, by-laws or rules about pets and other animals, vehicles, parking and storage, and "any other nuisance, annoyance or disruption".
- Breaches of a CAT settlement, if applied for within six months.
- From July 1, 2027: disputes about requisitioning or calling an owners' meeting (O. Reg. 237/26).
What it cannot hear
Liens, danger of damage or injury under s. 117(1), title to land, and the other matters listed in s. 1.36(4). The CAO's own page lists board governance and decisions, financial and budget disputes, repair and maintenance disputes, and meeting issues such as quorum, voting and notices among the matters it cannot deal with.
How a case runs
- Who can apply: the corporation, an owner or a mortgagee, and a buyer for records disputes only.
- File online with a personal CAO account. The CAO describes three stages: negotiation, mediation and adjudication.
- Hearings can be in writing, by phone, by video or in person.
- The CAO says the fees are not refundable.
- Orders are paid within 30 days unless the order says otherwise. The corporation can add an owner's payment to that owner's common expenses.
- Orders are final and can be appealed to the Divisional Court on a question of law only. They are published online.
Other disputes
- Mediation, then arbitration: every declaration is deemed to require the corporation and owners to mediate, then arbitrate, disagreements about the declaration, by-laws or rules, unless the CAT can hear them (s. 132).
- Superior Court of Justice: compliance orders after mediation and arbitration where required, the oppression remedy, and appointing an inspector or administrator.
Read on e-Laws and the Condominium Authority of Ontario's site on 31 October 2026. Section numbers are from the Condominium Act, 1998 and its regulations as consolidated that day. Your declaration and by-laws can add rules of their own.
Common questions
What does the Condominium Authority Tribunal handle? +
Records disputes, nuisance disputes such as noise and smoke, and disputes about rules on pets, vehicles, parking and storage. From July 1, 2027 it also hears disputes about requisitioning owners' meetings.
How much does it cost to file with the CAT? +
The CAO lists $25 to file, $50 for mediation and $125 for adjudication, $200 in total, not refundable.
Is there a time limit to file? +
Two years after the dispute arose. The Tribunal can extend it by up to one year for a delay in good faith that causes no substantial harm to the other side.
Can the CAT hear a dispute about my condo board's decision? +
The CAO lists board governance and board decisions among the matters it cannot deal with. Those go to mediation and arbitration or the courts.
How much can the CAT award? +
Compensation up to $25,000 today, and up to $50,000 from July 1, 2027, including for cases started before then.
Can I appeal a CAT decision? +
Only to the Divisional Court, on a question of law.
Do I need a lawyer for the CAT? +
The Act does not require one. Cases are filed online through a personal CAO account.
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