CAO Condo Buyers’ Guide

In the market for a condo in Ontario? Our in-depth guide will prepare you with all the information you need before putting in an offer. Learn what to ask, what documents to review and the fundamentals of condo ownership.

The Condo Buyer’s Guide was developed by the Condo Authority as a helpful resource for buyers considering a residential pre-construction or re-sale condo unit.

Developers or landowners must provide this guide to all buyers, who in turn have a 10-day cooling off period in which to rescind the agreement of purchase and sale of their condo. This 10-day period starts from the moment buyers have the purchase agreement, disclosure statement and this guide.

Most people think of condos as high-rise residential towers in urban areas. A better way to think of a condo is as a shared real estate ownership structure. Owners collectively share ownership of the condo corporation’s common elements and assets. Condo living also involves community engagement, as owners participate in collective decision-making. Condos are also diverse, with many existing in suburban and rural areas as well as urban centres, and with unique and differing set ups.

This means that purchasing a condo comes with duties, responsibilities and rights. Learn what those are in this section, as well as what all the different kinds of condo corporations are.

It pays to be informed! Ontario home buyers, whether they are purchasing for residential or investment purposes, have access to several housing consumer protection organizations that help protect consumers. There are five in total, each with different responsibilities. Learn about them and what they do in this section.

Explore the essential steps and decisions involved in purchasing a condo unit, whether it’s new or resale. This section helps you understand what to review and how to make sense of the documents and legalities involved. Topics include:

• Buying pre-construction, including what documents to review
• Buying re-sale
• Leasing a unit

Buying a pre-construction condo involves unique phases before you become the official owner. Learn what interim occupancy means, what your rights and obligations are during that time, and how the final closing process works.

Before a condo community becomes self-governing, the condo corporation must be created and registered. This section explains how ownership transitions from the developer to the owners, and how the governance process officially begins.

New condo buyers benefit from mandatory warranty coverage provided by Tarion. Find out what’s protected — including deposits, delayed occupancy, and defects — and how to make a claim when something goes wrong.

Condo living is a unique form of homeownership that blends private ownership with communal life. This section explores what to expect in daily condo living and how responsibilities are managed in a shared community.

Your condo community is shaped by key legal documents that outline how the building is managed and what rules owners must follow. This section introduces:

• The declaration
• By-laws
• Ruless

Decisions within your condo are made through a formal governance structure. Learn about how boards are formed, what authority they hold, and how owners can get involved in the process.

Transparency and accountability are important in a condo corporation. This section explains what kinds of information must be shared with owners, and how you can access records related to finances, governance, and more.

Understanding how your condo corporation handles money is essential for every owner. This section breaks down how fees are calculated, how financial reports work, and what the reserve fund is used for.

Knowing who is responsible for repairs can prevent disputes and confusion. This section clarifies whether it’s the owner or the corporation that handles different types of maintenance, and when unit access may be required.

Disagreements in a condo community can happen, but there are collaborative ways to address them. This section outlines methods for resolving disputes informally or formally, including how to access the Condominium Authority Tribunal.

The CAO supports condo owners, residents, and boards across Ontario with tools, training, and dispute resolution. Whether you need help understanding your rights or resolving a conflict, the CAO is here to assist.