Owning a condo in Ottawa gives you property rights. However, it also brings obligations and protections many owners do not fully understand. Ontario’s Condominium Act, 1998, governs these relationships. For instance, whether you battle a special assessment or demand financial records, knowing your rights is your best defence.

What You Own vs. What You Share

The declaration defines your unit boundary. Typically, you own interior space from the paint inward. This includes flooring, fixtures, and appliances. In addition, the condo corporation owns and maintains common elements. These include hallways, elevators, roofs, structural components, and amenities. Finally, you pay monthly fees proportional to your unit’s share of common expenses.

Voting and Meeting Rights

Every owner has the right to:

• First, attend annual general meetings (AGMs) and special meetings.
• Second, vote on bylaw changes, board elections, and major expenditures.
• Third, receive meeting notices, agendas, and financial statements at least 15 days before meetings.
• Finally, run for the board of directors.

Unit factors (square footage or value) usually determine voting power, not one-vote-per-owner.

Access to Records

You have the right to inspect:

• First, financial statements and reserve fund studies.
• Second, board meeting minutes (excluding litigation and personnel matters).
• Third, insurance certificates and contracts.
• Fourth, the declaration, bylaws, and rules.
• Finally, current budget and any proposed changes.

The corporation must fulfill requests within a reasonable timeframe, usually 10 business days.

Repair and Maintenance Rights

The corporation must maintain common elements in a state of good repair. If they fail, you can:

• First, request repairs in writing to the board or property manager.
• Second, withhold fees in extreme cases (risky—consult a lawyer first).
• Third, apply to court for compliance orders.
• Finally, report health and safety violations to the City of Ottawa.

You must handle repairs inside your unit. However, this does not apply if a common element failure causes the damage (e.g., roof leak).

Dispute Resolution and the CAT

The Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT) handles disputes about:

• First, records access.
• Second, noise and nuisance complaints.