CDRT cost-benefit calculator
Filing at the Alberta Condominium Dispute Resolution Tribunal costs $150 to start and up to $500 if your case goes the full distance through adjudication. This calculator returns the break-even probability — the chance of success at which filing pays for itself.
The amount on your Proposed Sanction notice.
How the math works
If your fine is F and the filing path costs C, the expected value of filing is p·F − C, where p is your probability of success. Filing pays off whenever:
p > C ÷ F
For a $500 fine and $150 filing cost, the break-even probability is 30%. If you think you have better than a 30% chance of winning, filing is the rational choice on expected-value terms.
Caveats this calculator doesn't model
- Time cost. A CDRT case takes weeks to months. Your time has value — bake it into your own decision.
- Adverse cost awards.Rare but possible if you file a weak case. The Tribunal generally doesn't award legal fees but can shift filing costs.
- Partial wins. A successful CDRT case might reduce the fine rather than void it. Real expected value can be lower than the calculator suggests.
- Non-financial value.Establishing that a corporation can't enforce a defective notice has reputational value beyond the fine amount. Hard to quantify but real.
Not legal advice. Filing costs are accurate as of May 2026 per the CDRT Policies and Procedures. Verify with the CDRT before relying on the result for a major decision.