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 [...]
Given that over 1.5 million British Columbians live in 32,218 strata plans (Land Titles Office, September 1, 2019), how can strata corporations strategically manage the current COVID-19 emergency to more successfully stabilize their strata’s goals? In addition to the traditional governance requirements and obligations to maintain and repair its common [...]
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 [...]
Knowing your Renewals Renewals: A renewal plan leads to on-going remediation projects, major repairs and replacements – and differs from a rehabilitation or renovation – as the latter are associated with premature failure due to lack of maintenance, or other preventable causes. Strata corporations need a long-term working plan for [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class="listspacing"]Landlords who hope to rent out strata lots in strata corporations have long been on the look-out for rental restriction bylaws. Anyone planning to rent a strata lot or purchase one should carefully examine the bylaws of the strata corporation to understand what, if any, rental restrictions may exist. [...]
The latest advice, commentary and opinions from our contributing authors on current issues faced by strata home owners and strata councils in British Columbia.