Withholding Condo Fees

Can you withhold your condo fees when you disagree with your condo corporation?

Many Ontario condo owners have encountered situations where they have felt unheard or mistreated by their condo corporations.  Sometimes, it is easy to think that the self-help remedy of withholding your condo fees could lead to a resolution of your concerns or problems. However, withholding condo fees is not a good idea and can have serious consequences.

Unfortunately, condo fees are legally binding despite the quality of your relationship with your condo corporation.  If you stop paying your condo fees, you can face collection costs and legal action and could even lose your condo unit.

Instead of resorting to self-help remedies that could worsen your situation, seeking legal advice and having a well-thought-out legal strategy to resolve your concerns is essential.  Depending on your situation, you could seek recourse at The Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT) if your problem is related to one of the areas they deal with, such as condo records, noise, odours, light, vibration, smoke, vapour, pets, animals, vehicles, parking, storage, other types of nuisances, and compliance with CAT settlement agreements.  Alternatively, you might need to commence legal action in the Ontario Superiour Court of Justice or seek the outcome you desire through mediation or arbitration.