CAT Disputes Practice Questions

Question 1 of 5

A condominium owner files a CAT application alleging the corporation failed to enforce noise restrictions in the building's rules. Can the CAT hear this dispute?

• AThe CAT's jurisdiction has expanded to include compliance with the declaration, by-laws, and rules of the condominium corporation, which includes noise restrictions; the owner can file a CAT application seeking an order that the corporation enforce its own noise rules against the offending owner or resident
• BThe CAT only handles records access disputes and has no jurisdiction over noise complaints, under the governance framework established by the Condominium Act, 1998 and the specific provisions of the corporation's declaration, by-laws, and rules
• CNoise disputes must go directly to the police, under the governance framework established by the Condominium Act, 1998 and the specific provisions of the corporation's declaration, by-laws, and rules
• DThe CAT can only hear disputes between owners and the corporation, not between individual owners, in accordance with the standard condominium governance procedures that regulate decision-making, financial management, and maintenance responsibilities

Question 2 of 5

Salesperson Olga's client wants to file a CAT application but is worried about costs. What are the typical costs involved in the CAT process?

• ACAT applications cost the same as Superior Court proceedings — typically $10,000 or more
• BCAT costs are designed to be accessible: filing fees are modest (significantly less than court filing fees), legal representation is optional (many applicants self-represent), and the CAT can award costs in its decision — the total cost for a self-represented applicant through all three stages is typically a few hundred dollars in filing fees, making it far more accessible than court proceedings
• CCAT applications are completely free with no fees at any stage real estate
• DThe losing party must always pay the winner's full legal costs at the CAT real estate

Question 3 of 5

A condominium unit owner files a complaint with the Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT) about their condominium corporation's refusal to provide records. Salesperson Amir's client asks about the CAT's jurisdiction. Which types of disputes can the CAT currently hear?

• AAll disputes between unit owners and condominium corporations, since cat does not have jurisdiction over all condominium disputes
• BThe CAT only handles disputes about common expense fees, on the basis that common expense fee disputes are generally not within cat's current jurisdiction
• CThe CAT has jurisdiction over specific dispute categories including records access, certain pet-related disputes, nuisance and compliance issues involving vehicles and parking, and other categories as prescribed — it does not have jurisdiction over all condominium disputes
• DThe CAT has the same jurisdiction as the Superior Court for all condominium matters, on the basis that cat is an online tribunal with limited and specific jurisdiction

Question 4 of 5

Salesperson Priya's client asks about the most significant changes introduced by the Condominium Act, 2015 (replacing the 1998 Act). What are the key reforms?

• AThe 2015 Act made no significant changes to the original 1998 legislation, based on the allocation of rights and responsibilities between unit owners and the condominium corporation as defined in the registered declaration
• BKey reforms include: mandatory licensing of condominium managers through the CMRAO, enhanced financial disclosure requirements including mandatory reserve fund studies and disclosure statements, improved dispute resolution through the Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT), stronger governance requirements for boards of directors, enhanced buyer protection through pre-delivery inspection processes, and mandatory training for directors
• CThe 2015 Act only changed the voting thresholds for special assessments, based on the allocation of rights and responsibilities between unit owners and the condominium corporation as defined in the registered declaration
• DThe reforms apply only to condominiums built after 2015, in accordance with the standard condominium governance procedures that regulate decision-making, financial management, and maintenance responsibilities

Question 5 of 5

Broker Chen's client received a CAT decision they disagree with. What appeal options are available?

• ACAT decisions are final and cannot be appealed under any circumstances, as the applicable regulatory framework and industry practices establish the standards and procedures that govern how this type of matter is addressed in Ontario real estate
• BCAT decisions are automatically reviewed by the Superior Court
• CThe owner can simply refile the same application with a different CAT member
• DCAT decisions can be appealed to the Divisional Court on questions of law within the prescribed timeframe; the appeal is limited to legal errors — the court generally does not re-evaluate the facts or substitute its judgment for the CAT's on factual findings; this provides a safety valve for legal errors while respecting the CAT's expertise in condominium matters