Category: News

  • The Fourth Annual Stratawest Christmas Toy Drive

    2,837 views

    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!

    continue reading

  • Holiday Hours and Closures

    2,792 views

    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.

    continue reading

  • Repairs and Maintenance to Strata Lots – Revisited

    4,473 views

    We had recently written about the responsibility of a Strata Corporation to Repair & Maintain Strata Lots in various scenarios, and included advice from Clark Wilson LLP on the subject.  

    continue reading

  • The Implementation Website for B.C.’s Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) is Launched.

    3,479 views

    The CRT implementation site (http://www.civilresolutionbc.ca) will have information about how the CRT will work, updates on the progress toward implementing the CRT, and guest posts on a variety of related subjects, including online and alternative dispute resolution.

    continue reading

  • Unenforceable Bylaws

    24,560 views

    The Strata Property Act (SPA or ‘the Act’) mandates that a Strata Corporation must have Bylaws.  Those bylaws allow for the Strata Corporation to govern the use of Common Property, such as a parkade, stairwell, lobby or other shared facility.  Bylaws can also govern the use of Strata Lots themselves – restricting the behaviour of Owners within property that they own.  It is for this reason that a Strata Corporation is sometimes referred to as a ‘4th Level of Government’.  Sometimes a Strata Corporation’s Bylaws may conflict with other legislation, and the question arises as to whether or not those Bylaws are enforceable.  We’ve included below some general commentary, which should not be interpreted as legal advice.  If you are concerned with whether or not a specific Bylaw is enforceable, it is certainly prudent to seek legal advice.

    continue reading

  • Appointment of Civil Resolution Tribunal Chair

    4,065 views

    Followers of our blog will know that the BC Government is preparing the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRF) for action beginning in 2015.

    Though there was a temporary Chairperson appointed, the government has now appointed a permanent chair, Ms. Shannon Salter.

    The CRT will provide online access to Strata Property Owners wishing to resolve strata property disputes and small claims.

    More information about Ms. Salter and the CRT can be found at the CHOA website.

    continue reading

  • There Is No Such Thing As “Free Parking”

    4,282 views

    First off, our standard disclaimer- we are not lawyers, nor do we offer legal advice; however, the following is not actually legal advice, but an advisory and commentary on a recent ruling on a very interesting (if somewhat extreme) case… and it is from an actual lawyer. An industry colleague of ours, the law firm of Lesperance Mendes has kindly provided permission to share the following article written by their own Catherine Scott, and we do so here with many thanks.

    continue reading

  • Fines

    8,826 views

    When is a Strata Council entitled to levy a fine against an Owner for a contravention of a Bylaw or Rule?  This is a common question and it is important that all Council members familiarize themselves with the process, so that fines which are levied are not overturned later on if challenged.

    continue reading

  • Permitted Investments Under The Strata Property Act

    8,106 views

    In a previous post, we wrote about the subject of investments permitted by Regulation 6.11 of the Strata Property Act. This Regulation had been one of the more confusing and ambiguous sections of the Act and the source of a great deal of controversy.

    The Regulations were recently updated and proclaimed by the Government in an effort to reduce the confusion and clarify what types of investments are permitted. The new Regulations dramatically reduced the number of allowable investments under the Strata Property Act. This topic may not have affected you or our Strata Corporation yet, but particularly in light of the rising levels of Contingency Reserve Funds associated with Depreciation Reports, it is likely a topic that would have arisen sooner or later.

    continue reading

  • Recent Amendments made to the Strata Property Act

    7,957 views

    Recent Amendments made to the Strata Property Act

    Further to advisories sent out by The Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI), Strata Property Agents of BC (SPABC) (information from both of which are included below) and others this past week, please be advised that there have been amendments to the Strata Property Act (SPA). These amendments were included in the Natural Gas Amendment Bill (Bill 12: Natural Gas Development Statues Amendment Act) which has received Royal Assent as of April 9th. The amendments to SPA (in sections 39 – 44 of the bill) take effect as of that date.  

    continue reading