How Should Alberta Resolve Condo Disputes?

Official title: Condominium dispute resolution engagement

Closed Policy & Studies Housing & Communities Justice & Rights
Alberta asked condo owners how to build a better system for resolving disputes with boards, managers, and corporations. The current court system is slow, expensive, and complicated. A new tribunal could offer faster, cheaper options like mediation or binding decisions.

Why This Matters

Own a condo in Alberta? You know how frustrating disputes can be. Whether it's a noisy neighbour, a board that won't fix things, or fees that seem unfair, going to court is expensive and slow. This tribunal could give you a real way to get problems solved.

What Could Change

Alberta is creating a condo dispute tribunal. It would handle conflicts through negotiation, mediation, or binding decisions—without going to court. Condo owners might pay yearly fees to fund it. Decisions could be made public.

Key Issues

  • How should the tribunal be funded—through owner fees, user fees, or both?
  • What dispute resolution processes should be available?
  • Should tribunal decisions be made public?

What Happened

Albertans provided feedback through an online survey and stakeholder meetings in fall 2020. The input helped inform the development of a tribunal to provide timely, effective, and affordable dispute resolution for condo organizations and owners. Work continues as part of the broader condominium property legislation engagement.

Key Documents