BC Realtor Civil Resolution Tribunal Guide: Strata Disputes, CRT Process & Disclosure (2026)
The CRT is the mandatory forum for most BC strata disputes — and an active or recent CRT proceeding can materially affect a strata sale. Here's what BC realtors need to know about the tribunal's jurisdiction, process, and disclosure obligations.
What Is the Civil Resolution Tribunal?
The BC Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) launched in 2016 as Canada's first online dispute resolution tribunal. Unlike court, the CRT process is designed to be accessible without a lawyer, conducted entirely online, and faster than traditional litigation. The tribunal operates in three streams: small claims (up to $5,000), strata property disputes (no dollar ceiling for many categories), and motor vehicle injury disputes.
For BC real estate, the CRT's strata property jurisdiction is the most relevant. Under the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act and the Strata Property Act, the CRT has exclusive, mandatory jurisdiction over most strata property disputes — meaning that strata corporations, owners, and tenants must generally go to the CRT rather than the courts to resolve strata-related disagreements.
This is a significant shift from the pre-2017 world where strata disputes went to the BC Supreme Court — an expensive and slow process that was out of reach for many individual strata owners. The CRT was intended to level the playing field between individual owners and well-resourced strata corporations.
CRT Jurisdiction: What Can Be Disputed
The CRT can hear disputes between:
- A strata owner and the strata corporation
- A strata owner and another strata owner
- A strata tenant and the strata corporation
- A strata corporation and a strata manager or other contractor (in some circumstances)
Common CRT Strata Dispute Categories
Note: Claims against a strata corporation over $50,000 must go to BC Supreme Court. The CRT handles the vast majority of day-to-day strata disputes.
The CRT Process: How Strata Disputes Proceed
The CRT uses a three-stage dispute resolution process, moving from informal negotiation to structured adjudication:
The applicant files a dispute notice online at civilresolutionbc.ca. The CRT sends the notice to the respondent, who can respond online. Both parties have a chance to negotiate directly through the CRT's online portal — no tribunal member is involved at this stage. Many disputes resolve here.
If negotiation fails, a CRT facilitator (a trained dispute resolution professional) is assigned. The facilitator helps the parties communicate and find a resolution without a formal hearing. The facilitator may propose solutions but cannot impose one. Many strata disputes resolve at facilitation.
If facilitation fails, the dispute proceeds to a tribunal member who reviews written submissions, evidence, and arguments from both parties. In most cases, there is no in-person hearing — the tribunal member decides based on the written record. The decision is published online and is binding.
CRT Orders and Enforcement
CRT decisions are legally binding. If a respondent does not comply with a CRT order, the applicant can take enforcement steps:
- File in BC Supreme Court: A CRT monetary order can be filed with the BC Supreme Court, which converts it into a court order. This allows the judgment to be enforced like any court judgment — including garnishment of wages or bank accounts
- Register as a lien or charge on property: A Supreme Court judgment can be registered in the Land Title Register against the respondent's strata lot — creating a charge that must be discharged before the property can be sold or refinanced with clear title
- Strata corporation enforcement: A CRT order against an owner (e.g., to pay outstanding strata fees or fines) can be added to the owner's strata fee account. Unpaid strata fees can themselves be registered as a lien on title under the Strata Property Act
⚠️ CRT Charges on Title: A Material Disclosure Issue
A judgment registered on title arising from a CRT proceeding is a charge that must be dealt with before the property can be conveyed with clear title. Realtors acting for buyers should run a full LTSA title search and ask the seller's lawyer to confirm whether any CRT-related judgments are registered. Realtors listing a unit should advise the seller to disclose any outstanding CRT proceedings or judgments — failure to do so can result in a deal collapsing at conveyancing.
CRT Disputes and Real Estate Transactions
CRT disputes can affect strata real estate transactions in several distinct ways. Realtors need to think about three levels:
Level 1: Outstanding CRT Judgment Against the Strata Lot
If the seller of a strata unit has an outstanding CRT judgment registered against their lot (e.g., the strata sued them for unpaid fees and converted the CRT order to a court judgment filed on title), that judgment must be discharged before closing. The seller's lawyer will arrange this as part of the conveyancing process, typically from the sale proceeds.
Level 2: Active CRT Dispute Involving the Unit Owner
If the seller is currently a party to an active CRT dispute — either as applicant (claiming against the strata) or respondent (the strata claiming against them) — this is a material fact that affects the transaction. The dispute may result in a financial obligation for the seller, or may result in a judgment that will be registered on title. Realtors should ask sellers directly: "Are you involved in any current or pending legal or tribunal proceedings related to this unit?"
Level 3: Active CRT Dispute Involving the Strata Corporation
If the strata corporation itself is involved in significant CRT proceedings — for example, a large repair dispute with a contractor, or a class action by multiple owners against the strata council — this affects all unit owners. Strata corporations must disclose active legal proceedings in their meeting minutes and, post-Bill 14, may need to disclose in the Form B. Realtors reviewing strata documents for a buyer should specifically look for any CRT proceedings involving the strata corporation.
What the Form B Must Disclose
Under BC's Strata Property Act, a strata corporation must provide a Form B Information Certificate to any person requesting one. The Form B must include:
- Current strata fee amount
- Amounts owing for the specific strata lot (arrears)
- Any outstanding bylaw fines for the lot
- Any outstanding legal proceedings involving the strata corporation
- Any money owing by the strata corporation not included in the operating fund or contingency reserve fund
- The current insurance coverage details (post-Bill 14)
The Form B's disclosure of "outstanding legal proceedings" should include active CRT applications by or against the strata corporation. However, the Form B does not necessarily disclose CRT disputes between individual owners — those require direct enquiry.
Common CRT Disputes That Affect Transactions
Based on BC CRT published decisions, here are the types of strata disputes most likely to surface during a real estate transaction:
Unpaid Strata Fees / Special Levies
The most common CRT strata dispute. Outstanding arrears are disclosed in the Form B. A strata lien for unpaid fees can be registered on title and must be paid at closing. The CRT routinely awards monetary orders for unpaid fees — which can be converted to Supreme Court judgments and registered on title.
Bylaw Fine Disputes
An owner disputing a strata fine may have an active CRT application. If the dispute is unresolved, the fine may or may not be on the Form B as an outstanding amount. Buyers should ask whether any current bylaw disputes are underway — even if not yet formalized in CRT proceedings.
Repair Responsibility Disputes
Disputes about whether damage is the strata's responsibility or the owner's are common after water damage events. An active CRT dispute over a major repair may involve significant potential liability that affects the unit's value and the seller's financial exposure.
Parking / Locker Assignment Disputes
Disputes over parking stall or locker ownership or designation. These can be significant if the disputed stall or locker is part of the sale — a buyer needs to confirm that designated parking is actually designated and not subject to ongoing dispute.
Strata Council Governance Disputes
Disputes about meeting conduct, invalid bylaw amendments, or council authority can affect the validity of strata decisions — including special levies or bylaw changes that affect all owners. A buyer should understand whether any recent major decisions are being challenged.
CRT vs. BC Supreme Court: Which Forum?
Buyers reviewing strata documents sometimes encounter references to both CRT proceedings and BC Supreme Court actions involving the strata. The distinction matters:
CRT (Civil Resolution Tribunal)
- • Strata disputes up to $50,000 (against corporation)
- • Owner vs. owner disputes (any amount)
- • Bylaw enforcement, fee arrears, common property
- • Online process — no in-person hearing typically
- • Decisions published publicly online
- • Binding — can be converted to court order
- • Lower cost barrier for individuals
BC Supreme Court
- • Claims against strata corporation over $50,000
- • Petition for winding up of strata corporation
- • Constitutional challenges
- • Appeals from CRT decisions (limited grounds)
- • Injunctions (emergency court orders)
- • In-person hearings, formal evidence rules
- • Higher cost — legal representation typically required
Due Diligence Checklist: CRT and Strata Disputes
How to Search CRT Decisions
The CRT publishes most of its strata decisions publicly at crtdecisions.ca. Realtors doing strata due diligence can search by:
- Strata plan number (e.g., BCS 1234) — the most effective search for finding all CRT decisions involving a specific strata corporation
- Party name — less useful as individual names are often anonymized in published decisions
- Subject matter — useful for researching common dispute types in a strata
A search for the strata plan number will reveal any published CRT decisions involving that building — which can reveal a pattern of disputes, management problems, or specific owner vs. strata conflicts. A building with dozens of CRT decisions over the past five years may signal a poorly managed strata or a contentious community — worth flagging to a buyer.
Client Advisory Scripts
Buyer Client: "What is the CRT and should I be worried about it?"
"The CRT is BC's online tribunal that handles most strata disputes — things like bylaw fines, fee arrears, repair disputes, and common property issues. It's actually a good thing that it exists, because it gives individual owners a way to resolve disputes without expensive court proceedings. What matters for your purchase is: (1) whether there are any CRT judgments registered on this unit's title — we'll see that in the title search; (2) whether the current owner is in an active dispute with the strata — I'll ask them directly; and (3) whether the strata corporation itself is involved in any significant disputes that could lead to special levies or affect the building's value. I'll search the public CRT decisions database to see if this building has a history of disputes."
Seller Client: "I'm in a dispute with my strata — do I have to disclose this?"
"Yes — if you're in an active CRT proceeding related to this unit, that's a material fact that needs to be disclosed to buyers. Even if you believe you're going to win, the existence of the dispute affects the buyer's decision-making — they're potentially inheriting a dispute or a financial obligation. I'd recommend we disclose it proactively in the listing documents, summarize the nature of the dispute, and note its current status. Buyers who discover an undisclosed CRT proceeding at subject removal are much more likely to walk — or renegotiate aggressively — than buyers who were told upfront and made an informed decision."
Buyer Client: "The strata minutes mention a CRT application against them — is that a red flag?"
"It depends on the nature and size of the dispute. An owner disputing a small fine through the CRT is routine and not materially concerning. A large claim — for example, multiple owners claiming $50,000 each against the strata for a water intrusion issue — could have significant financial implications for the strata corporation and all unit owners if the strata loses. I'd recommend we search the CRT decisions database to see if there's a published decision or an active case file number, and have your lawyer review it before removing subjects. If the potential liability is large, your lawyer may recommend holding back a portion of the purchase price in trust until the dispute resolves."
Key Takeaways
The CRT is a fundamental feature of BC's strata property landscape — and an increasingly important due diligence item for any strata transaction. The key points for BC realtors:
- The CRT is mandatory for most strata disputes — there is no choice of forum
- CRT orders can be converted to court judgments and registered on title
- Active CRT proceedings involving a unit or the strata corporation are material facts that must be disclosed
- The Form B discloses known proceedings by the strata corporation — but not owner vs. owner disputes
- Searching the public CRT decisions database (crtdecisions.ca) by strata plan number is a practical due diligence step
- A high volume of published CRT decisions against a specific strata corporation may signal chronic management problems worth flagging to buyers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BC Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT)?
The BC Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) is Canada's first online tribunal, established under the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act. It has mandatory jurisdiction over strata property disputes in BC — meaning strata owners, tenants, and corporations must generally use the CRT rather than the Supreme Court for most disputes. The CRT also handles small claims up to $5,000 and motor vehicle injury disputes.
What strata disputes can the CRT resolve?
The CRT has jurisdiction over disputes between strata corporations and strata lot owners or tenants, and between individual strata owners. This includes: bylaw enforcement and fines, strata fee disputes, common property access and repair disputes, rule violations, depreciation report disputes, and claims up to $50,000 against a strata corporation. Larger claims ($50,000+) against strata corporations go to BC Supreme Court.
Can a CRT order affect a strata property's title or sale?
CRT monetary orders can be filed in the BC Supreme Court and converted to court orders, which can then be registered as judgements against land. An outstanding CRT-related judgement registered on a strata lot's title would need to be discharged before clear title can be conveyed. Realtors should check both LTSA title records and ask about any active CRT proceedings in the Form B when reviewing strata documents.
Does a strata have to disclose ongoing CRT disputes to potential buyers?
The Form B Information Certificate (which buyers can request before purchasing a strata unit) must disclose certain strata information, including outstanding legal proceedings. Active CRT disputes involving the strata corporation are generally material facts that should be disclosed. Realtors acting for buyers should specifically ask about any ongoing or recent CRT proceedings as part of strata document review.
How long does a CRT strata dispute take to resolve?
CRT disputes typically move faster than court proceedings. The CRT process starts with negotiation (2–6 weeks), moves to facilitation if needed (4–8 weeks), and then to adjudication if unresolved (which may take several months for a full hearing). Simple disputes can resolve in weeks; complex strata corporation vs. owner disputes may take 6–18 months through the full adjudication process.
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