Strata Tip of the Week - What is parking and/or storage allocated by owner developer assignment?

If you’ve read our email titled Understanding Parking and Storage Designations, you’ll know that there are different ways parking and storage can be designated within a strata corporation. One of these is when parking and/or storage has been allocated by owner developer ass

Strata Tip of the Week - Who Can Write a Depreciation Report?

Strata Tip of the Week - Providing Strata Lot Access

Strata corporations are allowed to access various areas of a property when needed in order to carry out their responsibilities. For example: If a limited common property patio is assigned to a strata lot and repairs are required, the strata can request access from the own

Strata Tip of the Week - Understanding the Schedule of Unit Entitlement

1. What Is a Schedule of Unit Entitlement? In BC, the Schedule of Unit Entitlement is a numerical table which determines two important things for each strata lot: A. The share of common property and common assets that each strata lot owns, and B. The proportion of common ex

Strata Tip of the Week - Who Can Access Strata Documents and How Much Can a Strata Charge for Them?

Obtaining complete and current documents from strata corporations or their management companies is one of the biggest challenges we run into when working on strata document reviews for buyers and Realtors. That’s why it’s important to understand who can request strata docum

Strata Tip of the Week - The Civil Resolutions Tribunal (CRT)

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 201

Strata Tip of the Week - Did You Get the Latest, Enforceable Set of Bylaws?

Based on our experience, approximately 25% of strata corporations, or their management companies, don’t provide the most recent set of bylaws. Here’s how to make sure you’ve got the latest, enforceable version.   1. Where can I find the strata corporation’s bylaws? All str

Strata Tip of the Week - The Difference Between a Strata Lot, Common Property or Limited Common Property

We often get questions about the difference between a strata lot, common property, and limited common property, so here it is:   In British Columbia, land registered at the Land Title Office can be subdivided in different ways. One of these is a “strata subdivision,” which

Strata Tip of the Week - The Risks Associated with Low Strata Fees

It’s important for strata corporations to be fiscally responsible. However, strata corporations whose main focus is keeping strata fees as low as possible can, at times, make decisions that lead to low strata fees in the short term, but significantly higher costs to owners

Strata Tip of the Week - In-Unit Hot Water Tanks

Some strata buildings have one or more central hot water tanks that supply all the units, while others are designed with individual hot water tanks located inside each unit.   When a tank is located in the unit: 1. It typically only services that unit. 2. It’s usually consi

Strata Tip of the Week - Does This Strata Have Enough in Its CRF?

One of the most common questions we get from buyers when reviewing strata corporations is: Does this strata have “enough” in its Contingency Reserve Fund (CRF)? It’s a straightforward question, but the answer can vary significantly depending on what’s being asked. To get a

Strata Tip of the Week - Are These Strata Fees High?

A common question we hear from buyers is: “Are these strata fees high?” At first glance, it might seem like a straightforward question, but the answer isn’t always simple. Whether strata fees are “high” depends on what they include and what you’re comparing them to. If you

Strata Tip of the Week - What is the Strata Corporation Required to Insure?

All strata corporations in BC, regardless of size, must obtain property and liability insurance, including bare land strata corporations and strata-titled duplexes.   1. Property Insurance A. The strata corporation’s property insurance must be for: Common property Comm

Strata Tip of the Week - Should I Buy This Condo?

  One of the most common questions buyers ask us when getting a strata documents review is, "Should I buy this condo?", or some variation of it. It is a fair question, but the answer is not as straightforward as many hope. There is no such thing as a condo that is objectiv

Strata Tip of the Week - Strata Leaks: What Buyers Should Watch For

Purchasing a unit in a strata corporation with a history of leaks and water-related issues can carry cartain risks. However, leaks are among the most common problem in strata developments, so it’s important to evaluate not just the number of leaks reported, but also their

Strata Tip of the Week - The Risk of Liability When Relying on AI for Strata Document Reviews

  In 2023, the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) published an article titled “What You Should Know When Using Artificial Intelligence”, highlighting the growing role of AI in real estate and the risks professionals should be aware of. As AI technology becomes more integra

Strata Tip of the Week - The Importance of Obtaining and Reviewing Professional Reports

If you use our Strata Documents Checklist, you’ll know that we always recommend obtaining and reviewing copies of any professional or engineering reports the strata has on file. So, what are these reports, and why is it important to review them?   1. What Are Professional

Strata Tip of the Week - How Proactive Stratas Make the Most of their New Home Warranties

  If you’ve read our previous blog titled New Home Warranties in Strata Corporations, you’ll know that in British Columbia, newly built homes (including strata-titled properties) or significantly reconstructed buildings must be covered by third-party new home warranty insu

Strata Tip of the Week - Not All Depreciation Reports Are Created Equal

When buying a strata-titled property, reviewing the depreciation report isn’t just a good idea, it’s essential. This document provides critical insights into the condition of the strata corporation's common property and assets, as well as projected maintenance, repair, and

Strata Tip of the Week - Reviewing Special Levies for Compliance

When purchasing a strata-titled property, ensuring that special levy resolutions meet legal requirements is critical to protecting buyers from unexpected financial risks. The Strata Property Act (SPA) outlines specific requirements for how strata corporations must: Notif

Strata Tip of the Week - Don’t Forget About Holiday Bylaws

While heavily disputed at the North Pole, yet fully endorsed by the Grinch, holiday bylaws exist in many strata corporations. All kidding aside, it’s worthwhile reminding folks that some strata corporations may have bylaws restricting what residents can or cannot do for th

Strata Tip of the Week - The Strata’s Insurance Policy is About to Expire

When evaluating a strata corporation, it's important to make sure the documents you receive are up to date. As always, you can refer to our Strata Documents Checklist for a comprehensive list of documents we recommend you obtain and review when purchasing a strata-titled p

Strata Tip of the Week - What to Look Out for When It Comes to Special Levies

When purchasing a strata-titled property, it’s essential to consider potential costs beyond the purchase price. These additional expenses can significantly impact the affordability of the property for buyers. One key consideration is special levies, which can sometimes ari

Strata Tip of the Week - Why It’s Important to Obtain a Current Version of the Form B: Information Certificate

  1. Obtain a Current Version of the Form B As per the Strata Property Act, buyers are entitled to receive a current and complete Form B: Information Certificate. This document, issued by the strata corporation or the strata manager on behalf of the corporation, includes:

Strata Tip of the Week - What’s “A Lot” When it Comes to Future Special Levies?

  When buying any type of real estate, considering future costs beyond the purchase price is essential. For strata-titled properties, special levies can be one of the most significant additional expenses. But what is considered "a lot" when it comes to future special levie

Strata Tip of the Week - The Minimum Amount of Strata Council Meetings

1. Are strata corporations required to hold strata council meetings? In British Columbia, the Strata Property Act (SPA) does not explicitly state the amount of meetings that a strata council must hold. In other words, the SPA does not require strata corporations to hold a

Strata Tip of the Week - The Difference Between Regular and Bare Land Stratas

In British Columbia, land can be subdivided in various ways. When it comes to strata-titled properties, one of the primary distinctions lies between regular strata corporations and bare land strata corporations.   Understanding the nuances between the two types of stratas is crucial when

Strata Tip of the Week - Maximum Strata Fee Increases

  1. Is there a maximum by which strata fees can increase from year to year? In British Columbia, the maximum amount that strata fees can be increased is not explicitly regulated by the Strata Property Act (SPA). In other words, the SPA does not set a limit on the percentage or amount by which str

Strata Tip of the Week - Smoking Restrictions in Strata Corporations

Smoking restrictions have been implemented in many different areas of our society, and strata corporations are no exception. More and more stratas are adopting smoking restriction bylaws or rules, and here’s how they’re doing it.   1. Common Property - The most basic restriction is a ban

Strata Tip of the Week - Referring Clients to Third-Party Service Providers

In a recent article by the BC Real Estate Association, titled Due Diligence with Third-Party Referrals, lawyer Jude Chow highlights the importance of exercising caution when making third-party referrals.   Here are some key takeaways from the article, along with our insights into how thes