1. What is the Civil Resolutions Tribunal?
The Civil Resolutions Tribunal (CRT) is an online tribunal in British Columbia that helps address issues involving strata corporations, small claims, and other matters without needing to go to court. Since it was introduced in 2016, it has made it much easier for strata owners and strata corporations to pursue legal decisions without hiring a lawyer or appearing in the BC Supreme Court.
2. How can you tell if the strata is dealing with a legal dispute?
As per Section 59 of the Strata Property Act, strata corporations are required to disclose whether they are involved in any court proceedings, arbitration or tribunal proceedings, as well as subject to any judgements or orders made against the strata corporation, on the Form B - Information Certificate.
If a Form B indicates some legal action, the first step is to obtain as much information and details as possible. It is also important to recommend that your clients seek legal advice, as a qualified lawyer can help assess any risks for the buyer.
Prior decisions of the CRT can be found on their website by searching the strata plan number; but keep in mind that this will not reveal any disputes that are still under consideration by the CRT or other legal action, such as a human rights complaint or items that are not addressed by the CRT.
3. What types of disputes does the CRT handle?
The CRT has authority over most strata disputes in British Columbia, but it does not deal with claims involving constitutional issues or matters under the Human Rights Code.
Disputes the CRT can resolve include:
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Non-payment of strata fees or fines
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Unfair treatment by the strata corporation
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Inconsistent enforcement of bylaws
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Disagreements about who is responsible for repairs
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Problems with how meetings are run or recorded
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Interpretation of legislation, regulations or bylaws
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Conflicts involving common property
For more details, you can visit the BC Government or CRT websites.
