You're Not Buying a Unit.
You're Buying Into a Building's Problems.
Water damage. Structural failures. Governance disputes. When buildings hide problems, owners pay. We track 4,400+ tribunal cases across Canada — here's what's really going on.
Special levies can cost $20K–$100K+ on your mortgage.
4,400+
Tribunal Cases
24
Issue Types
15,000+
Permits Tracked
25,000+
Buildings Analyzed
The Special Levy Risk
When building problems are discovered, YOU pay. Here's the financial impact.
Water Damage
593 tribunal cases
$150K–$500K
avg settlement
Special Assessment
380 tribunal cases
$50K–$200K
avg cost per building
Roof & Envelope
216 tribunal cases
$100K–$400K
capital replacement
Problem Found
Water damage, roof failure, etc.
Engineering Report
$5K–$50K to assess
YOU PAY
$10K–$100K+
per unit, on mortgage
What We Track
4,400+
Tribunal Cases
(BC CRT + Ontario CAT)
24
Issue Types
Tracked & categorized
15,000+
Permits
Building maintenance history
25,000+
Buildings
Linked & analyzed
The Special Levy Reality
When building problems are discovered, owners pay. Here's how it works.
Building Problem Discovered
- • Water damage
- • Structural issues
- • Failing HVAC
- • Roof deterioration
Engineering Report Required
- • $5K–$50K cost for assessment
- • Months of delay
- • Board hires engineers
Special Levy Issued to Owners
- • $10K–$100K+ per unit
- • Added to your mortgage
- • You pay it or face lien
Real Example: Water Damage at a Vancouver Condo
What Happened
2015: Water leak from balcony sealant failure
2018: Tribunal case filed by affected owner
2020: Engineering report reveals widespread damage
2021: Special levy issued: $45K per unit
The Cost to YOU
$45,000 extra mortgage payment
~$12,000 interest over 5 years
$57,000+ out of pocket
And the building still needed repairs.
24 Building Issues That Become Your Problem
These are the real tribunal cases we've documented. Each one triggered special levies or condo fee increases.
Most Common Issues (by case count)
Water Damage / Leaky Condo
593 cases
$150K–$500K
Special Assessments
380 cases
$50K–$200K
Roof & Envelope Work
216 cases
$100K–$400K
Insurance & Liability
99 cases
$50K–$300K
Repair Boundary Disputes
821 cases
$10K–$100K
Window & Door Issues
214 cases
$50K–$150K
Balcony & Deck Safety
153 cases
$50K–$200K
Mould & Air Quality
108 cases
$20K–$100K
Elevator Systems
44 cases
$50K–$150K
HVAC & Heating Systems
87 cases
$30K–$100K
Condo Fees & Budget
320 cases
$10K–$50K
Special Levies
97 cases
$20K–$150K
Governance & Board
280 cases
$5K–$25K
Council Conduct & Elections
1,586 cases
$0–$10K
Bylaw Enforcement
1,401 cases
$0–$5K
Pet Policy Disputes
706 cases
$0–$5K
Noise & Nuisance
459 cases
$0–$10K
Renovation & Alteration
375 cases
$0–$10K
Parking & Storage
325 cases
$0–$5K
Rental Disputes
141 cases
$5K–$30K
Short-Term Rental Issues
141 cases
$10K–$50K
Smoking Violations
130 cases
$0–$5K
Security & Privacy
112 cases
$0–$10K
Document Access
183 cases
$0–$5K
Water Damage / Leaky Condo
450+ cases
Average settlement: $150K–$500K per building. When it happens, everyone in that building pays.
Special Assessments
380+ cases
Unexpected major repairs. Avg: $50K–$200K per building. Triggered by permit records showing deferred maintenance.
Building Permits: The Paper Trail Nobody Checks
Permit records reveal how well a building is maintained. Too few = deferred maintenance. Clustered = emergency repairs.
Well-Maintained Building
- ✓ 1–2 permits/year for 10+ years
- ✓ No tribunal cases in past 10 years
- ✓ Low special levy risk
"This buyer is likely safe."
Red Flag Building
- ✗ No permits for 8 years, then 5 in 1 year
- ✗ 3+ tribunal cases in past 5 years
- ✗ High special levy risk coming soon
"Expect a $20K–$50K+ levy within 2 years."
What a Buyers Report Reveals
Before you make the largest purchase of your life, see what your agent won't tell you.
Tribunal History
Every legal dispute linked to this specific building
Water Damage Risk
Is this a leaky condo? How many cases?
Settlement Impact
Historical financial impact and cost estimates
Permit Timeline
Last 15 years of building maintenance & capital work
Insurance Gaps
Coverage issues that could be YOUR problem
Management Quality
Track record of the property manager
Don't Let Agents Hide Building Problems
Special levies can cost you $20K–$100K+. See the tribunal history and permit records BEFORE you buy.
Get a Buyers Report ($99)Search any Canadian condo. Instant access to tribunal decisions, permit history, and property manager data.