Condos for Sale in Ottawa

What Should You Know Before Buying a Condo in Ottawa?

Ottawa condos range from downtown apartment suites in Centretown, the ByWard Market and LeBreton Flats to stacked townhomes and condo townhouses in Kanata, Barrhaven and Orleans. When you buy a condo you own your unit plus a share of the building’s common elements, and you pay a monthly condo fee toward shared costs and the reserve fund. Before your offer becomes firm, have your lawyer review the status certificate, confirm exactly what parking and storage come with the unit, and factor the condo fee into your monthly budget, since lenders count it when you qualify for a mortgage.

Find the Right Ottawa Condo

Three of the most common ways Ottawa buyers narrow their condo search.

🏙️ Downtown Ottawa Condos

Centretown, the ByWard Market, Sandy Hill, LeBreton Flats and Little Italy, close to Parliament Hill, the O-Train and the canal.

💰 Ottawa Condos Under $500,000

One-bedroom, two-bedroom and stacked condos that suit first-time buyers, downsizers and investors.

🚗 Ottawa Condos with Parking

How condo parking is owned, assigned or rented in Ottawa, and what to confirm before you buy.

In This Guide

Condo Types

Types of Condos for Sale in Ottawa

“Condo” describes how a property is owned, not what it looks like. In Ottawa you’ll find four main styles.

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Apartment Condos

High-rise and mid-rise suites with shared amenities such as a gym, party room or concierge. Most common downtown and near transit.

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Stacked Townhomes

Two units stacked one above the other, each with its own entrance. More space than an apartment, usually with lower fees.

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Condo Townhouses

Row homes where the corporation looks after roofs, exteriors, landscaping or snow removal. Common in Kanata, Barrhaven, Orleans and Nepean.

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Lofts & Boutique Buildings

Smaller low-rise buildings and converted lofts with fewer units, often in Hintonburg, Westboro, the Glebe and Little Italy.

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Resale or new? Buying a condo before it’s built works differently from buying resale, with a 10-day cooling-off period, Tarion warranty coverage and interim occupancy fees. See new construction homes in Ottawa for current projects.

Downtown Ottawa

Downtown Ottawa Condos for Sale

Most of Ottawa’s high-rise condos are downtown, where you can walk to Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, the ByWard Market and many federal offices, and reach the rest of the city on the O-Train Confederation Line.

Downtown buildings vary widely in age, amenities and fees, and not every unit includes parking. Comparing two similar suites a few blocks apart often turns up real differences in monthly costs and building health.

Book a Buyer Consultation

Downtown condo pockets

Centretown — the widest choice of high-rise condos, close to Bank Street, Elgin Street and the canal
ByWard Market & Lowertown — restaurants, nightlife and the market, steps from Rideau Centre
Sandy Hill — quieter streets beside the University of Ottawa and the Rideau River
LeBreton Flats & Little Italy — newer towers near Pimisi and Corso Italia stations
The Glebe & Lansdowne — boutique buildings near Bank Street shops and the canal

Condos Under $500K

Ottawa Condos Under $500,000

Condos are often the most accessible way into Ottawa’s market. Many one-bedroom units, smaller two-bedroom suites and stacked townhomes are listed under $500,000, both downtown and in the suburbs.

At this price, look past the asking price to the full monthly cost. A slightly higher-priced unit with a lower condo fee and parking included can cost less to own each month than a cheaper suite without them.

Looking beyond condos? See all Ottawa homes for sale under $500K, including townhomes and starter detached homes.

What to compare at this price

Monthly condo fee, and what it covers
Whether parking and a storage locker are included
In-suite laundry and heating and cooling type
Building age, reserve fund and planned repairs
Rules on pets, rentals and renovations

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First-time buyer? The minimum down payment is 5% on the first $500,000, so a $500,000 condo needs at least $25,000 down, plus closing costs of about 1.5% to 3%. You may also qualify for the FHSA, the Home Buyers’ Plan (up to $60,000 per person) and Ontario’s land transfer tax refund of up to $4,000. See my first-time home buyer programs guide and confirm your numbers with a mortgage professional.

Condos with Parking

Ottawa Condos with Parking

Parking is one of the first filters many Ottawa condo buyers set, and one of the most misunderstood. “Parking included” can mean three different things.

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Owned Parking Unit

The space is its own legal unit with its own title, bought along with your suite. You own it outright, and in some buildings you can sell it separately to another owner.

Check: the legal description

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Exclusive-Use Space

The space is part of the common elements, but the condo declaration assigns it to your unit for your use only. It stays with the unit when you sell.

Check: the declaration

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Rented or Leased Space

Some units have no parking of their own, and the owner rents a space from the condo corporation or another owner, often monthly and sometimes from a waiting list.

Check: the cost and term

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Get it in writing. If parking, a storage locker or an EV charger matters to you, make sure it’s spelled out in the agreement of purchase and sale and confirmed by the status certificate, not just the listing.

Condo Fees

Understanding Condo Fees in Ottawa

Every condo owner pays a monthly fee to the condo corporation. It covers the running costs of the shared parts of the property and builds the reserve fund, which pays for major repairs like roofs, windows, elevators and parking garages.

Fees vary a lot from building to building, depending on age, size, amenities and whether utilities are included. A low fee isn’t always good news if the reserve fund is underfunded.

Lenders include condo fees when they work out how much you can borrow, so a higher fee can lower your maximum purchase price. Run your numbers with the mortgage calculator.

Often included

Building insurance for the common elements
Maintenance, cleaning, snow removal and landscaping
Property management and amenities
Reserve fund contributions
Some or all utilities, depending on the building

Usually extra

Property taxes
Your own unit insurance (contents, improvements, liability)
Utilities that are separately metered
Rented parking or lockers

Before You Buy

The Ottawa Condo Buyer’s Checklist

A condo is a share in a corporation as much as it is a home. These are the six things I review with every condo buyer.

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The Status Certificate

The corporation’s budget, reserve fund, insurance, any lawsuits and anything the seller owes. Make your offer conditional on your lawyer’s review.

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Reserve Fund Health

The reserve fund study shows what repairs are coming and whether there’s money set aside to pay for them.

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Special Assessments

Any extra charge owners have to pay on top of their fees. Ask whether one is planned, not just whether one exists today.

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Rules & Declaration

Pets, rentals, short-term rentals, barbecues and renovations can all be restricted. Make sure the rules fit how you plan to live.

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Insurance & Deductible

Find out the corporation’s insurance deductible and how much of it an owner can be charged, then buy unit coverage to match.

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The Building Itself

Elevators, windows, the garage and common areas. Board minutes and a home inspection of the unit help show how well it’s cared for.

Neighbourhoods

Ottawa Condo Neighbourhoods

Condo living looks different across the city, from walkable downtown towers to townhome-style condos in the suburbs.

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Centretownhigh-rise living in the heart of downtown

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The Glebeboutique buildings near Lansdowne and the canal

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Westboro & Hintonburgmid-rise condos near shops and the river

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Kanatastacked townhomes and condos near the tech park

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Barrhavennewer condo townhomes in a family suburb

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Orleanseast-end condos with easy highway access

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Nepeanestablished buildings close to everything

Buyer Advantage

Why Work with a REALTOR® on a Condo Purchase?

Two condos with the same layout and price can be very different purchases once you look at the fees, the reserve fund and what the corporation has planned. I help you compare buildings, not just units, and I watch new listings daily so you see the right ones early.

Book a Buyer Consultation

Compare condo fees and what they include, building by building
Confirm parking, locker and exclusive-use areas before you offer
Build a status certificate condition into your offer
Spot buildings with upcoming repairs or special assessments
Get alerts for new condo listings that match your search

Condo FAQ

Buying a Condo in Ottawa: Common Questions

How much do I need for a down payment on an Ottawa condo?

In Canada, the minimum down payment is 5% on the first $500,000 of the purchase price and 10% on any portion above that. A $400,000 condo needs at least $20,000 down, and a $500,000 condo needs at least $25,000. With less than 20% down you will also need mortgage default insurance.

Budget separately for closing costs, typically 1.5% to 3% of the purchase price. A mortgage professional can confirm what you qualify for.

What do condo fees cover in Ottawa?

Condo fees usually cover insurance for the common elements, maintenance, snow removal, landscaping, property management, amenities and contributions to the reserve fund. Some buildings also include heat, water or hydro. Property taxes and your own unit insurance are always extra.

Do Ottawa condos come with parking?

Not always. Many suburban condos include parking, but some downtown units are sold without it. A space may be an owned parking unit with its own title, an exclusive-use space assigned to your unit in the condo declaration, or a space you rent from the corporation or another owner. Confirm which one applies in the agreement of purchase and sale and the status certificate.

What is a status certificate and why does it matter?

A status certificate is a package from the condo corporation that shows its budget, reserve fund, insurance, any legal actions, any planned special assessments and whether the seller owes anything. Most buyers make their offer conditional on their lawyer’s review of it, because it can reveal costs the listing doesn’t mention.

Can I rent out my condo or use it as a short-term rental?

It depends on the building and the city. Many condo declarations restrict rentals, especially short-term rentals, and Ottawa’s short-term rental by-law generally limits them to the host’s principal residence. Check the declaration and rules in the status certificate before you buy a condo as an investment.

Should I buy a resale or pre-construction condo in Ottawa?

A resale condo lets you see the finished unit, the building and its financial history before you buy, and you can usually move in within a few months. A pre-construction condo lets you choose finishes and comes with Tarion warranty coverage and a 10-day cooling-off period, but you may pay interim occupancy fees before the building is registered, and completion dates can move.

How do I hear about new condo listings first?

Well-priced Ottawa condos, especially those with parking or under $500K, can move quickly. Sign up for listing alerts, or book a buyer consultation and I will watch new condo listings daily and send you the ones that match your search.

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Down payment, mortgage, condo and by-law details are general information and can change. Speak to your own mortgage professional, real estate lawyer or tax advisor about your situation.

Looking for something else? Browse Ottawa homes by type

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