Given the haste with which the provincial government adopted a recent amendment to the Strata Property Act (“SPA”) to ban rental restriction bylaws, most of the immediate public reaction focused on the anticipated effects these amendments would have on British Columbia’s overpriced housing and overheated rental markets. However, an [...]
While LandlordBC offers its members a comprehensive, proprietary tenancy agreement template, the often-unfortunate reality is that many landlords still end up using either the standard residential tenancy agreement publicly available on the Residential Tenancy Branch’s (RTB) website coupled with an addendum or their own custom tenancy agreement template obtained from [...]
Buying a condo? The legal doctrine of caveat emptor (i.e. “let the buyer beware”) continues to apply to real estate transactions in British Columbia and can have the effect of denying the buyer a remedy for defects and deficiencies discovered in the property after purchase. In general, the onus is [...]
In July 2016, the long-awaited Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) opened its doors to the first wave of strata disputes. The CRT’s goals are ambitious, to say the least. It is the world’s first online dispute resolution tribunal of its kind and it aims to increase access to justice for thousands [...]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Are you buying a condo, where a tenant currently resides? Residential tenancies are ongoing and often long-term relationships between a landlord and their tenant. So, what happens when a new owner comes in? Upon purchasing a property, the rule of thumb is that you inherit all the liabilities and obligations [...]
Tip #1: Follow due process requirements when seeking to levy a fine. Strata councils and strata property managers will often seek to fine an owner or a tenant by issuing a simple letter informing the individual(s) in question of the breach and fact that the strata corporation has decided [...]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Tip #1: Review all relevant strata documents before purchasing a property. One of the most common mistakes made by prospective strata home purchasers is failing to adequately review strata documents before completing their purchase. Ignorance is no excuse when it comes to abiding by the strata corporation’s bylaws and [...]
You and your neighbours are original owners and occupants of a strata building in downtown Vancouver. You pride yourselves on the sense of community, tranquility and good will that has been built over the last six years. Three years ago, you were elected to the strata council and played a [...]
Tip #1: Do not rent out a property on an “as-is” basis that is otherwise in a state of disrepair. Many landlords believe that they can rent out a property that is in a state of disrepair on an “as-is” basis in exchange for lower-than-market rent. This is a [...]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It is important to note that not all living accommodations will fall under the Residential Tenancy Act (the Act) and if a living accommodation does not qualify as a residential tenancy, the rights and obligations set out by the Act will not apply. The following living accommodations do not qualify [...]
