There has been a great deal of media attention over the past few years on the use of drones for a variety of purposes. As the cost of small machines that can take flight plummets, they become more and more common for both commercial and personal use.
Preparations for the launch of the Civil Resolution Tribunal are continuing and the CRT has now officially appointed their Tribunal Members (many of whom are well known legal minds in the strata community).
A recent news story generated a fair bit of “buzz” in the Strata community, as a downtown Vancouver Strata Corporation found itself without insurance after a marijuana dispensary set up shop in one of the commercial units in the ground floor of the building. As mixed-use facilities are becoming more and more common, it is more important than ever for Strata Corporations to ensure they have sound bylaws with respect to the use of Commercial Strata Lots in order to restrict activities that the community would find unwelcome. In particular, certain types of commercial uses may have negative consequences on the insurability of your Strata Corporation. We encourage all mixed-use Strata Corporations to consider seeking legal advice on potential amendments to the bylaws and giving serious consideration to the types of activities you would like occuring in your community.
The Vancouver Sun recently published an article regarding the new Civil Resolution Tribunal, which we have previously written about.
Discussed briefly in the article are proposed amendments to the legislation, which would make it mandatory for most Strata Corporation disputes to be settled at the CRT- including those initiated by the Strata Corporation. This addresses a significant criticism of Strata Council’s, that the Strata Corporation be obliged to participate in the process but not Owners.
These amendments are further discussed at both the CRT Website and in the press release from the BC Government.
Further clarification can be found in the CRT article entitled “9 Things To Know About the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) Act Changes”.
The province has updated their Strata Housing website which includes helpful guides, links, legislation and other resources for Strata Owners in British Columbia. This is an immensely useful tool for Council members, Owners and Property Managers. We encourage you to review the new website and in particular, familiarize yourselves with the various guides contained which answer a great deal many questions about Strata living in BC.
One of the most common questions we get from Strata Councils is how we calculate the 21 day notice period required before calling an Annual or Special General Meeting. On the face of it, the Strata Property Act appears to only require a 14 day notification period as noted in section 45 below:
The Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI) is hosting a half day Strata Seminar on Saturday, February 7th, 2015. The seminar will discuss Contracts for Major Projects & Selecting a Contractor/Consultant and is open to members ($30 registration fee) and non-members ($35) alike. A continental breakfast will be provided to all attendees.
The seminar will be held on Saturday February 7th, 2015 at UBC Robson Square (800 Robson Street) with breakfast beginning at 8:30am and the seminar stating at 9:00am.
Speakers included Ted Denniston, Principal at Sense Engineering at Jamie Bleay, lawyer with Access Law Group.
You can find more information on the seminar here.
You did it again! With unbelievable support from our staff and industry colleagues, Stratawest is delighted to have helped to fill up some otherwise empty stockings through the Christmas Bureau for the fourth year running. The response to our Toy Drive this year was awesome, with amazingly generous donations of toys, musical instruments, gift cards, sporting equipment, iPods and other items for needy families… we had a number of loads so there was actually more than the picture below shows and it continues to come in.
We were also very pleased to be a second time sponsor of the Vancouver Special Children’s Christmas Party held at Canada Place this past weekend. We again had staff and family give their time as well to volunteer and actively spread some holiday cheer at this wonderful and important event that benefits the terminally ill, the intellectually and/or physically challenged, and children who have suffered from domestic violence or abuse. This day means a tremendous amount to the parents and children attending the event, and we encourage others to become a sponsor next year alongside us.
As always, none of this happens without you, and we want to sincerely thank and acknowledge the support of our colleagues in the industry and our staff for making this holiday season a better one for so many kids and their families. It is because of the participation and big hearts of many that we are collectively able to make a difference in so many lives, so thank you so much for taking part.
Season’s Greetings to all of you, and best wishes from all of us here at Stratawest Management. Cheers!
Please make note of the following important dates for the upcoming festive season.
Friday, December 12, 2014 – Staff Lunch, office closed at 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014 – Office Closed at 12:00 Noon.
Thursday, December 25, 2014 – Office Closed
Friday, December 26, 2014 – Office Closed
Wednesday, December 31, 2014 – Office Closed at 12:00 Noon.
Thursday, January 1, 2015 – Office Closed
Friday, January 2, 2015 – Office Closed
Monday, January 5, 2015 – Office Re-Opens
As always, call 604-904-9595 and all urgent matters will be addressed whether during regular business hours or after-hours.
Thank you, and Happy Holidays.
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