Types of Disputes Small Claims Court Handles

Small Claims Court exists to resolve a very broad range of everyday disputes — but "broad" doesn't mean "unlimited," and different categories of dispute tend to come with their own typical evidence, arguments, and pitfalls. This page is a map of the most common categories, each linking to a full guide covering what makes that type of dispute distinct. For an in-depth look at three of the most common scenarios, see the Common Claim Types Insights hub.

The common thread across every category

Whatever category your dispute falls into, the underlying legal building blocks are largely the same: an agreement or duty owed, a breach of that agreement or duty, a measurable loss, and a clear connection between the breach and the loss. See do I have a claim? for the full explanation of these building blocks — the category-specific guides below build on top of that foundation with details particular to each situation.

The main categories

• Unpaid invoices and loans

  Money someone agreed to pay you but hasn't — for work, goods, or a personal loan.

• Contractor disputes

  Renovation and repair work that was incomplete, defective, or overcharged.

• Property damage

  Damage to your belongings, vehicle, or property caused by someone else.

• Landlord and tenant-related claims

  Disputes connected to a tenancy that fall within Small Claims Court's role.

• Consumer disputes

  Problems with a purchase, service, or warranty as a consumer.

• Vehicle and repair disputes

  Vehicle repairs, sales, and accident-related property damage claims.

• Breach of contract

  The general framework for any agreement that wasn't honoured.

• Employment-related claims

  Certain employment money disputes that can fall within Small Claims Court.

• Neighbour disputes

  Boundary lines, fences, trees, and encroachment between neighbours.

• Pet-related disputes

  Vet bills, pet purchases, and boarding or grooming damage.

• Wedding and event vendor disputes

  Photographers, venues, and caterers who no-show or don't deliver.

• Moving company disputes

  Damaged, lost, or delayed belongings, and bills above the quote.

• Roommate disputes

  Unpaid shared rent, utilities, and damage between co-tenants.

• Freelance and gig work payment disputes

  Independent workers pursuing clients who won't pay.

• Online marketplace and private sale disputes

  Peer-to-peer sales gone wrong on platforms like Marketplace or Kijiji.

• Storage unit disputes

  Damaged, lost, or improperly auctioned belongings.

• Debt collection disputes

  Responding to a claim from a collection agency or debt buyer.

• Real estate deposit disputes

  A withheld or forfeited deposit from a failed home purchase.

• Gym membership disputes

  Cancellation and refund disputes with a gym or fitness club.

• Cell phone and internet contract disputes

  Disputed fees, broken promotions, and billing after cancellation.

• Denied insurance claim disputes

  A denied or underpaid insurance claim within the court's limit.

• Warranty and defective product disputes

  Rights beyond the manufacturer's written warranty.

• Condominium disputes

  Small Claims Court vs. the Condominium Authority Tribunal.

• Car dealership disputes

  OMVIC's role and when court is the next step.

• Daycare and childcare disputes

  Unpaid fees, withheld deposits, and care not delivered as agreed.

• Online scams and fraud disputes

  When court can realistically help, and when it can't.

• Landlord suing a tenant

  The landlord-side view of the Small Claims Court vs. LTB timing question.

Disputes that generally don't fit here

Not every disagreement belongs in Small Claims Court, even if it involves money or property. Most family law matters, for example, are handled by a different court or process entirely. Some landlord-and-tenant matters — particularly those about the tenancy itself, like eviction — are handled by Ontario's Landlord and Tenant Board rather than Small Claims Court, even though certain related money claims may still fit here. Likewise, some condo-related disputes belong at the Condominium Authority Tribunal instead. See can I sue? and the eligibility tool for a fuller check on venue before you invest time preparing a claim.

When a dispute spans more than one category

Real disputes don't always sort neatly into a single category. A landlord-tenant dispute might also involve property damage; a contractor dispute might also be a consumer dispute if the contractor was hired for personal, non-business purposes. When your situation spans categories, read whichever guides are relevant — the underlying legal building blocks still apply, and the category-specific guidance is meant to add detail, not replace the fundamentals.

Why the category matters for your approach

Identifying your dispute's category early helps in a few concrete ways: it tells you what kind of evidence is typically most persuasive, what arguments the other side is likely to raise, and sometimes even which specific rules or standards might be relevant. A contractor dispute and an unpaid personal loan, for example, are both "someone owes me money," but the documentation, arguments, and even the right defendant can look very different between them.

Evidence tends to differ by category

While every case benefits from clear documentation, the type of evidence that matters most shifts by category. A contractor dispute often turns on written estimates, contracts, and photos of the work. A consumer dispute often turns on receipts, warranties, and written communication with the seller. An unpaid loan often turns on any written acknowledgment of the debt and a clear record of amounts advanced and repaid. Reading the guide for your specific category will point you toward what to prioritize gathering.

Common mistakes across categories

• Treating every dispute the same way, without considering what evidence and arguments are typical for that specific category.
• Assuming a dispute doesn't fit Small Claims Court without checking — many disputes people assume are "too complicated" or "not really legal issues" fit cleanly within a recognized category.
• Missing that a dispute actually spans two categories, and only preparing for one of them.
• Not identifying the correct defendant for the specific type of dispute — for example, an individual contractor versus their corporation.

Frequently asked questions