Newsletters and Articles

Serving as a director of a condominium comes with important responsibilities. The Condominium Act, 1998 provides that directors must act honestly, in good faith, and with the care and attention that a reasonable person would use in a similar situation.

Even where a condominium corporation is legitimately owed money, a lien can be challenged if the owner is not given clear and consistent notice of the debt being secured.

The key issue is not perfection, but fairness. Courts generally expect owners to understand what charges form the basis of a lien. When lien notices, cover letters, statements, or other correspondence contain inconsistent or contradictory information, the corporation's ability to enforce its lien may be at risk.

Noise disputes may be common in condo communities, but a recent Condominium Authority Tribunal (“CAT”) decision demonstrate just how quickly a complaint can unravel for a unit owner when there is no objective evidence to confirm the existence of noise

The Ontario government has recently announced that on December 31st 2026, certain amendments to the Condominium Act, 1998

In this buyer’s market for condominiums, the Status Certificate has become increasingly important for helping a purchaser make an informed decision. First-time home buyers are scrutinizing the Status Certificate to see if buying that larger, multi-bedroom condominium unit in an older building is a better choice than a modern, smaller unit in a newer building with less of a financial history.

A recent successful appeal by Shibley Righton’s own Megan Mackey and Nasrudin Mumin has sent a clear message to newly constructed condominiums across Ontario: when a turnover board terminates a developer‑signed property management contract under section 111 of the Condominium Act, 1998 (the “Act”), the contract is terminated, full stop. No lingering penalties. No damages for termination.

When a dispute arises in a condominium setting, the first and most important step is choosing the right place to resolve it. In Ontario, condominium disputes can go to:

·         The courts (Superior Court or Small Claims Court);
·         The Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT); or
·         Mediation and arbitration under section 132 of the Condominium Act, 1998.

Knowing which forum has the proper authority to resolve the dispute will avoid delays, extra costs, and legal mistakes.

As of January 1, 2026, Ontario strengthened its carbon monoxide safety requirements. O. Reg 87/25 amends O. Reg. 213/07: Fire Code (the Fire Code) by requiring carbon monoxide alarms (CO Alarms) in more locations than ever before. These changes not only address the serious risk posed by carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, and potentially deadly gas, but aim to ensure early detection and protection of lives.

In a recent decision of the Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT), a unit owner was ordered to pay the condominium corporation $5000 in costs after he claimed the Corporation failed to enforce its noise rules.

For many years, one of the most confusing “records” that a condominium corporation in Ontario is required to keep has been the List of Lease Notifications under Section 83(3) of the Condominium Act, 1998 (the “Act”).