Condo Neighbor Disputes Don’t Belong In The Courts

The article discusses a recent court decision that confirms disputes between neighbors should not be adjudicated by courts as the first step, and parties should instead pursue mediation and arbitration. The case involved two neighboring condo owners who had a history of disputes, and the condo corporation took one neighbor's side, starting an application for an order requiring the other neighbor to sell their unit or comply with the rules. The court granted a stay under the statutory scheme of section 132 of the Condo Act and criticized the parties' conduct. The court suggested making the parties sit down, hear each other, and realize that the only win-win solution is peace. The article also highlights the importance of mediation and arbitration in resolving neighbor disputes, and how the recent expansion of the jurisdiction of the CAT to include disputes involving nuisance and disturbances may offer a solution to fighting neighbors.