What does the $150 CDRT application fee include?

Guided negotiation and the first four hours of mediation are included. If your dispute resolves at negotiation or early mediation, $150 is your total cost.

Do I have to pay the corporation's costs if I lose at the CDRT?

The tribunal has discretion to allocate application costs between the parties. Adverse cost awards are possible but not automatic — and the CDRT generally does not award lawyer's fees on top of filing costs.

Is the CDRT cheaper than a lawyer?

Yes. Even a single hour with an Alberta condo lawyer typically runs $300 to $600. A CDRT application costs $150 and is designed for self-represented owners.

CDRT guide · Filing cost

How much does it cost to file at the Alberta CDRT?

Q: How much does it cost to file at the Alberta CDRT?

$150 application fee to start, which includes guided negotiation and the first four hours of mediation. Adjudication adds $350 if your case proceeds that far. Mediation beyond four hours is $150 per four-hour block, split between parties.

Last updated May 16, 2026

$150 to file. Up to $500 if your case goes the full distance through adjudication.

Most fine disputes settle at guided negotiation or early mediation — both of which are included in the $150 application fee. The longer your case takes, the more it costs, but the maximum out-of-pocket for a typical fine dispute is well under what a single hour with a lawyer would run you.

Before you pay $150 to file, spend $15 to find out whether you actually have grounds. Check my fine →

The full fee breakdown

Stage	Fee	What it covers
Application	$150	Filing + guided negotiation + first 4 hours of mediation
Extended mediation	$150 per 4-hour block	Split between parties; capped at $300/day per party
Adjudication	$350	Formal hearing + binding written decision within 60 days

What about my corporation's fees?

Your condominium corporation pays an annual service fee of $9 per unitto fund the tribunal's operating costs. That's built into your condo fees and isn't something you pay directly when you file. Owners pay only the per-case fees above.

How CDRT cost compares to alternatives

Path	Realistic cost	When it makes sense
Pay the fine	Up to $500 (1st) / $1,000 (2nd+)	Notice is clearly compliant; not worth fighting
FineCheck report	$15	Decide whether you have a procedural case
Lawyer opinion	$300–$600	Complex bylaw interpretation; large fines
CDRT (settlement-stage)	$150	You have procedural grounds; want a formal venue
CDRT (full adjudication)	$500	Negotiation and mediation failed; case is strong
Court of King's Bench	$200+ filing, $5,000+ with counsel	Issues beyond CDRT jurisdiction

Can I be ordered to pay the corporation's costs?

The tribunal has discretion to allocate application costs between the parties. In practice, costs are usually modest and the CDRT generally does not award lawyer's fees on top of the filing costs the way a court might. Still, an adverse costs award is possible — which is why a procedural-compliance check before you file matters: filing a weak case can mean paying both your own costs and a portion of the corporation's.

How to decide whether $150 is worth it

Three rough rules of thumb:

If your fine is under $50,the math probably doesn't work for the CDRT. Even winning costs you the $150 application fee plus your time. Pay it and move on.
If your fine is $100–$500 and you suspect process issues,run a procedural-compliance check first ($15). If the report flags problems, $150 to file is a sensible next step.
If your fine is $500–$1,000 and the breach is contested,the math always favours fighting it, even if you have to pay $500 through full adjudication.

Check my fine — $15