Owning a condo in Ottawa gives you property rights, but it also comes with obligations and protections many owners do not fully understand. Ontario’s Condominium Act, 1998, governs these relationships. Whether you are battling a special assessment or demanding financial records, knowing your rights is your best defence.

What You Own vs. What You Share

Your unit boundary is defined in the declaration. Typically, you own interior space from the paint inward, including flooring, fixtures, and appliances. The condo corporation owns and maintains common elements: hallways, elevators, roofs, structural components, and amenities. You pay monthly fees proportional to your unit’s share of common expenses.

Voting and Meeting Rights

Every owner has the right to:

• Attend annual general meetings (AGMs) and special meetings
• Vote on bylaw changes, board elections, and major expenditures
• Receive meeting notices, agendas, and financial statements at least 15 days before meetings
• Run for the board of directors

Voting power is usually tied to unit factors (square footage or value), not one-vote-per-owner.

Access to Records

You have the right to inspect:

• Financial statements and reserve fund studies
• Board meeting minutes (excluding litigation and personnel matters)
• Insurance certificates and contracts
• The declaration, bylaws, and rules
• Current budget and any proposed changes

Requests must be fulfilled 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:

• Request repairs in writing to the board or property manager
• Withhold fees in extreme cases (risky—consult a lawyer first)
• Apply to court for compliance orders
• Report health and safety violations to the City of Ottawa

You are responsible for repairs inside your unit, unless the damage stems from a common element failure (e.g., roof leak).

Dispute Resolution and the CAT

The Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT) handles disputes about:

• Records access
• Noise and nuisance complaints