Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT)

The Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) is BC's online tribunal established under the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act (SBC 2012, c. 25). It has jurisdiction over most strata property disputes under the Strata Property Act (SBC 1998, c. 43), small claims matters under a prescribed dollar threshold, and certain motor vehicle injury and societies disputes. It is the primary and mandatory forum for resolving most strata-related disputes in BC before parties can proceed to the BC Supreme Court.

Yes, under the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act and the Strata Property Act (SBC 1998, c. 43), the CRT has jurisdiction over disputes between strata corporations, owners, tenants, and others regarding strata bylaws, rules, common expenses, and governance matters. For most strata disputes, a party must first go through the CRT's dispute resolution process before seeking a remedy in the BC Supreme Court. This makes the CRT the primary forum for strata bylaw enforcement and fee collection disagreements in BC.

The CRT has jurisdiction over small claims disputes up to $5,000 in British Columbia, as established under the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act. Claims exceeding this threshold must be pursued in BC Provincial Court (Small Claims Court) or the BC Supreme Court, depending on the amount. For the most current and confirmed threshold, consult the BC Government's official CRT website or the current Civil Resolution Tribunal Act.

Yes, for most strata disputes covered under the Strata Property Act (SBC 1998, c. 43), participation in the CRT process is mandatory before a party can bring the matter before the BC Supreme Court. The Civil Resolution Tribunal Act requires parties to engage with the CRT's facilitation and adjudication process first. However, certain limited categories of strata disputes — such as those involving significant constitutional or injunctive relief — may fall outside CRT jurisdiction; parties should review the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act for specific exclusions.

Yes, a strata corporation may file a CRT dispute to recover unpaid strata fees or special levies from an owner, as these are common expense obligations governed by the Strata Property Act (SBC 1998, c. 43). The CRT provides a cost-effective online process for resolving such financial disputes without requiring legal representation, though parties may choose to retain counsel. A CRT order for payment is enforceable in the same manner as a court order under BC law.

The CRT process generally proceeds through several stages under the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act: an online Dispute Resolution Services intake, a facilitation phase where a CRT facilitator helps parties attempt to resolve the dispute, and if unresolved, an adjudication phase where a CRT member issues a binding decision. All stages are conducted online through the CRT's Solution Explorer platform, making the process accessible without requiring in-person attendance. CRT decisions on strata matters have the same legal force as a court order.

Yes, tenants of strata lots in BC have standing to bring certain CRT disputes under the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act and the Strata Property Act (SBC 1998, c. 43), particularly where the dispute directly affects their use and enjoyment of their strata lot or common property. The scope of a tenant's CRT rights is defined by the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act, and tenants should review that Act or consult the CRT's official guidance for the specific categories of disputes open to them. Strata owners may also have separate obligations toward tenants under the Strata Property Act.

CRT decisions on strata matters may be judicially reviewed by the BC Supreme Court, but the grounds for review are limited and the court applies a deferential standard to the CRT's decisions on questions within its jurisdiction, as governed by the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act and BC administrative law principles. An appeal on a question of law is available to the BC Supreme Court in certain circumstances specified in the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act. Parties considering a challenge to a CRT decision should review the applicable limitation periods and grounds set out in the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act.

The CRT has broad jurisdiction over strata disputes under the Strata Property Act (SBC 1998, c. 43), which includes matters relating to a strata corporation's obligations regarding depreciation reports and the contingency reserve fund (CRF). If an owner disputes a strata corporation's compliance with its statutory obligations under the Strata Property Act — such as failing to obtain a required depreciation report or improperly managing the CRF — the CRT may be the appropriate first forum for that dispute. Consult the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act and the Strata Property Act to confirm the precise scope of CRT jurisdiction for a specific dispute.

The CRT itself does not regulate real estate licensees; complaints about licensee conduct in BC are handled by the British Columbia Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) under the Real Estate Services Act (RESA). However, a strata corporation, owner, or tenant involved in a strata transaction may simultaneously have a CRT dispute about a strata matter and a separate BCFSA complaint about a licensee's conduct, as these are distinct processes under different statutory regimes. Parties should direct strata governance disputes to the CRT and professional conduct concerns about licensees to the BCFSA under RESA.