FAQs
Governing documents and the Condominium Act lay out what condo residents and corporations are allowed to do. The Act and the documents can’t contradict each-other but if they do, the Act is supreme, followed by the declaration, the by-laws and finally the rules. The declaration creates the condo corporation and can be thought of as its constitution. The by-laws specify how the corporation will run. The rules put limits on day to day activities. Read more.
You can find them in our forms and guides page. You can use these mandatory forms to transact regular condo business.
Check out this resource that shows how to manage your CAO account.
Condo corporations must hold annual general meetings to report to owners on important matters such as the financial health of the corporation, management and any upcoming major repairs or renovations. The AGM also gives owners the opportunity to discuss and vote on matters of the condo corporation. Contact your board or manager to bring the the issue to their attention. This may prompt your condo corporation to call and hold the AGM and might resolve the issue without any further steps. You can also requisition a meeting of owners by asking your board to call and hold one to discuss the issue.
The Condo Authority is an administrative authority that provides information, education and dispute resolution to condo communities. We provide information and training about the rights and responsibilities of condo owners, board directors and managers according to the Condo Act. Other services we provide include tips on resolving common condo issues, a searchable registry of all Ontario condos and access to condo forms. Lastly, we provide dispute resolution services through the Condominium Authority Tribunal. Read more about our services.
The Condominium Act is a consumer protection legislation that regulates condo life in Ontario. Condominium unit owners, residents and corporations must comply with it and condo governing documents must not contradict it. Read more.
Condominium corporations maintain a reserve fund solely for major repairs and replacements of common elements and assets. The Condo Act requires that corporations conduct periodic reserve fund studies to determine whether the amount of money in the fund and contributions collected from owners are adequate and can sustain expected costs of major repair and replacement of the common elements and assets. Read more.
The Condominium Authority Tribunal is Canada’s first online tribunal. It is dedicated to helping condo owners and corporations resolve disputes conveniently, quickly and affordably. The Tribunal can help you resolve disputes about condo records, noise, odours, light, vibration, smoke, vapour, pets, animals, vehicles, parking and more. See our jurisdiction.
The Condo Act specifies that Condominium Authority Tribunal can resolve issues relating to records, nuisances, governing documents and compliance with settlement agreements made in previous Tribunal cases. The Tribunal cannot deal with issues that are likely to cause damage to the condo or cause injury or illness to a person. The CAT also cannot accept cases about agreements between owners and condo corporations to install electric vehicle charging stations or modify common elements. The CAT’s jurisdiction is set out under Ontario Regulation 179/17 of the Condo Act. The Government of Ontario sets the Tribunal’s jurisdiction and only they make changes.
Making a change in your condo community should always take into account that condo living is communal by nature and that it is best to find ways to come to collaborative solutions. Contact your board or manager as a first step to see if they are supportive. You can also requisition an owners' meeting to discuss the issue as a community or vote to remove and elect directors. Depending on the type of issue, you may want to go to private mediation, arbitration or the courts.
