Steps to File an Application

Step 1. Start your Application Online

First, you must create a new CAO account or log in to an existing CAO account.

• If you need to login, click the “Login” button at the top of the CAO’s webpage.
• If you do not already have a CAO account, you can learn how to create a new account here.
• If you are a condominium manager or a board member filing a case on behalf of a condo corporation, you must use a CAO account that is associated with your corporation’s CAO profile.

Click here to start the application process.

Once you’ve clicked the button above, simply select your application type from the drop down and then click the File an Application button. You will then be taken to an interactive checklist developed by the CAT to help Applicants file their applications.

Step 2. Identify the Applicant(s)

Next, you will be asked to identify the Applicant(s). An Applicant is the party that files the application. Owners, mortgagees and condo corporations can be applicants.

If you are filing for yourself, then you are the Applicant. If you are filing on behalf of someone else (e.g., if you are filing as the Applicant’s lawyer or a paralegal), then the entity you represent is the Applicant.

If you are filing an application about an unreasonable nuisance, annoyance or disruption; or a provision in your condo corporation’s governing documents, you can file by yourself or jointly with other applicants.

If you are considering filing an application with two or more Applicants, make sure that the other Applicants are willing to be a part of this application before you add them. You should only file an application along with other Applicants if it is about the same issues. If another Applicant wants to raise different issues, then they may want to consider filing their own application separately.

Step 3. Identify the Respondent(s)

Next, you will be asked to identify who you are filing the application against – this entity is known as the Respondent. Who you can identify as a Respondent depends on the type of application you are filing.

A unit owner or mortgagee can file an application against any combination of…

• One or more other unit owners;
• One or more occupants of a unit; and/or,
• Their condominium corporation.

A condominium corporation can file an application against any combination of…

• One or more unit owners; and/or,
• One or more occupants of a unit.

Here are a few examples:

• An Applicant can file an application against another unit owner and an occupant of that owner’s unit
• A unit owner or mortgagee can file against another unit owner and their condominium corporation
• A condominium corporation can file an application against two or more unit owners

The CAT cannot accept applications filed against a condominium manager or management services provider.

Condominium managers and management services providers provide services on behalf of condominium corporations. While you cannot file an application against a condominium manager or management services provider, the CAT can deal with disputes about what a condominium manager or management services provider has done on behalf of a condominium corporation.

If you have a concern about a condominium manager or management services provider, you may want to review the information available on the Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario (CMRAO) website. The CMRAO is responsible for licensing condominium managers and management service providers and for handling complaints filed against them.

If you are filing an application about your condominium corporation’s records…

• Your condominium corporation will typically be the Respondent.

If you are filing an application about a nuisance (e.g, noise, odour, smoke, vapour, light or vibration) or about a provision in your condominium corporation’s governing documents relating to pets and animals, parking and storage, vehicles, or indemnification (e.g., chargebacks)…

• You should review the CAT’s CAT Guide to Respondents and Intervenors.

If you are filing an application about non-compliance with a Settlement Agreement…

• The Respondents should be the parties that have not complied with the Settlement Agreement. If more than one party has failed to comply, you can identify multiple Respondents.

Step 4. Identify the Intervenor(s)

If you are filing an application about an unreasonable nuisance, annoyance or disruption, or a provision in your condo corporation’s governing documents, you must identify all Intervenors when you file.

For more information on who you must identify, you should review the CAT’s CAT Guide to Respondents and Intervenors.

Step 5. Describe the problem

You will then be asked to describe problem. The CAT-ODR system will first ask you to identify your issues from a list, and to provide additional details. This information will be shared with the CAT and all other parties.

You do not need to describe everything that was said and done before you filed the application. Instead, focus on the important details, so the CAT and the other Users know what the application is about.

Step 6. Add Documents (Optional)

During this step, you can add any documents or files that you think may be useful to refer to in your case. The other Users will be able to view and download these files once they have joined the case.

While this step is optional, you may want to upload a copy of any documents that are relevant to your case.

If you are filing an application about your condo corporation’s records…

• You should add a copy of your Request for Records (if you have a copy) and any responses you’ve received.

If you are filing an application about a provision in your condo corporation’s governing documents relating to pets and animals, parking and storage, vehicles, or indemnification (e.g., chargebacks)…

• You should add a copy of the condo corporation’s governing documents (i.e., the declaration, by-laws and rules).

You will have another opportunity to upload documents again once the CAT accepts your application.

Step 7. Submit your Application

Finally, you will be asked to confirm the information you entered in Steps 1 to 6. If you notice an error, you can go back to any of the earlier steps and correct it.

If you are filing an application with two or more Applicants, each applicant must join the application and must vote to file it before it can be filed with the CAT. Once everyone has voted in favour of filing, the Primary Applicant (i.e., the Applicant who started the application) can file the application.

There is a non-refundable $25.00 filing fee to file an application with the CAT.

After you file your application, the CAT will review it.

• If your application looks like it includes all the necessary information, we will accept the application and you will be prompted to deliver the Notice to the other Users.
• If the CAT needs more information about your application, we may ask you for more details.