Blog

Few topics generate as much confusion—and as much heated correspondence—as parking stalls and storage lockers in strata corporations. Who owns what? Who assigned what to whom? And where, exactly, is the documentation to prove it?

These are not trivial questions. The answers determine what appears on a Form B, what an owner can sell or lease independently, and what a council has authority over. And yet, the allocation regime varies enormously from one strata to the next, often depending on when the building was developed, how the developer chose to structure things, and—frankly—how well records have been maintained over the years by what is likely many different strata councils and management firms.

This article is intended as a practical explainer of the various allocation regimes we encounter, along with some recommendations for strata corporations looking to get their house in order. As always, this is not legal advice—but it is grounded in extensive operational experience across a wide variety of buildings.

continue reading →

The 2026 provincial budget proposed a significant expansion of BC’s Provincial Sales Tax (PST) to cover a range of professional services for the first time. Since the announcement in February, our team, along with brokerages and industry associations across the Province, has been actively seeking clarity from government on exactly how these changes will affect residential strata corporations. We want to share what we know, what we don’t, and what your council should be thinking about as you plan your upcoming budget. 

continue reading →

In Parts 1 through 3 of this series, we explored how external pressures—from climate changed related legislation to the rising tide of “AI Slop” in disputes—are complicating the strata landscape. Today, we turn our lens inward to one of the most operationally demanding aspects of modern strata management: Record Keeping, Privacy, and Document Access Requests.

The good old days of a single physical binder and a standup of files sitting in a property manager’s office are long gone. Today, Strata Corporations are data-rich organizations, and the legal framework governing that data is a practical minefield. Before we dive into the mechanics, it is critical to state a foundational requirement that is often overlooked: Every Strata Corporation in British Columbia is an “organization” under PIPA and requires a designated Privacy Officer.

While it is common to look to the Property Manager for guidance, the Strata Manager cannot be the Privacy Officer, as we lack independent decision-making power for the Corporation. This role belongs to a Council member or a specific committee, yet it is rarely filled until the need arises or worse, a crisis emerges. This is understandable, strata councils are facing a variety of pressures and demands on their time. But, it is a requirement and as the saying goes, “now is the second best time” to appoint one.

continue reading →

Recent reporting on a major governance failure at a Coquitlam strata — including allegations of a “rigged election,” inappropriate reimbursements, chronically underfunded repairs, deficits, and drained accounts — highlights a very real risk that most strata corporations never confront, yet one that underlies the entire financial framework of British Columbia’s strata system. Those risks are not hypothetical; they are real, they are costly, and they are preventable.

In British Columbia, more than 26,000 strata corporations collectively hold billions of dollars in operating funds, contingency reserves, and special levies in trust accounts — assets entrusted to volunteer councils and licensed managers and representing one of the largest pools of privately governed funds in the province. These sums and numbers dwarf even the largest of municipalities, with their vast bureaucracies and career politician electees. 

This vast pool of funds represents not owner discretion but owner trust — and when systems of oversight break down, the opportunity for financial loss grows in exactly the ways we are now seeing in the media. 

continue reading →

With Vancouver confirmed as a host city for the FIFA World Cup, strata councils, (particularly those in and around the downtown core, transit corridors, and event precincts) are understandably asking what this means for day-to-day operations, bylaws, security, and governance. 

For many councils, this will feel familiar. While the World Cup differs in format and duration, it raises many of the same operational issues strata corporations navigated during the 2010 Winter Olympics. Then, as now, the buildings that saw the least complications were those that planned early, communicated clearly, and relied on existing governance tools rather than reacting once problems emerged. 

continue reading →

As part of a broader effort to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the City of Vancouver has implemented mandatory carbon emission reporting requirements for large buildings. For many strata corporations, this represents yet another example of the increasing regulatory complexity facing multi‑unit residential buildings.

This article focuses specifically on carbon emission reporting in the City of Vancouver (CoV): what the program is, why it matters, how it has rolled out, and what strata councils should expect going forward.

continue reading →

It’s a somewhat common practice for strata councils to adopt a policy that requires three quotes for every project—big or small. On the surface, it sounds like good governance: more quotes mean better comparisons and could potentially lower your overall costs. But in practice, this kind of very rigid policy can create significant inefficiencies, strain vendor relationships, and even lead to worse outcomes for the strata.

Here are just a few of the reasons why we know this to be true:

continue reading →

As Strata Councils are aware, there has always been a healthy (and sometimes not-so-healthy) amount of correspondence from Owners who disagree with a Council decision. These communications often relate to bylaw enforcement, common property maintenance, or other matters where the Council is required to make decisions on behalf of all Owners. Needless to say, Owners often disagree with the decisions of their elected Council in the same way citizens disagree with decisions made by higher levels of government. 

Over the years, we’ve seen a wide range of approaches to those objections—from brief and respectful notes requesting clarification, to lengthier and more strongly worded appeals. What’s new, and increasingly common, are multi-page letters or emails citing legal cases, quoting legislation, and making seemingly persuasive arguments that, upon closer inspection, don’t hold up to scrutiny. 

continue reading →

As election season is in full swing, strata corporations in British Columbia must be aware of their responsibilities to ensure that residents can fully participate in the democratic process. Whether it’s a provincial, federal, or municipal election, legal obligations must be met to facilitate canvassing and the display of election signage. Below, we outline these responsibilities and reference the relevant sections of the applicable legislation.  As always, we are not a substitute for legal advice- but the legislation provisions are fairly clear and must be followed even if you may prefer not to have canvassers within your property, or election-related signage displayed on it.

continue reading →

Understanding Earthquake Deductibles in Strata Corporations

British Columbia is located in a seismically active region, making earthquake insurance a crucial consideration for strata corporations and individual homeowners alike. One of the most significant aspects of earthquake insurance is the deductible, which can be substantial. Understanding how these deductibles work and what obligations a strata corporation has in the event of a major seismic event is essential for strata councils and owners.

continue reading →