Dear Tony: Is there a chance the Standard Bylaws of the Act will ever change? It would significantly reduce the number of agreements we would require for owners to be responsible for the changes owners are making for EV charging, heat pumps, furnace conversions and balconies. We are a mix of an apartment style building […]
Highlands Community Association considers next step after judicial review rules in favour of quarry (BC)
A judicial review in the BC Supreme Court has found nothing in the provincial Mines Act legislation that would help the Highlands District Community Associations (HDCA) in its fight against a rock quarry. Read the article…………………………….
Condo Smarts: Investments for special levies and reserves (BC)
Q: Our strata corporation has approved a special levy in payments for roofing of our eight- building complex. As a large development, this will be a significant amount. The first due date of the levy is June 1, then Oct. 1, and April 1, 2025, with a planned completion over a year. Total cost and […]
Condo Smarts: Strata faces insurance confusion after cold snap damage (BC)
Dear Tony: Our strata building was one of the unlucky victims of the extreme cold snap, resulting in an unheated stairwell riser freezing, bursting and damaging our common areas and 11 of our 65 units. To avoid an insurance claim, the property manager and council decided to treat these all as separate claims and advised […]
Burnaby strata ordered to reverse $25K charge for damage caused by clogged drain (BC)
The province’s Civil Resolution Tribunal has ordered the strata at Acacia Gardens in South Burnaby to maintain its roof drains regularly and to reverse nearly $25,000 in repair costs it tried to charge two owners. Read the article…………………………….
Condo Smarts: Disruptive ‘shadow council’ undermines strata (BC)
Dear Tony: Our strata is a bare land over 200 units and we have been developing a new set of bylaws over the past year. We have held several information meetings and distributed drafts to our owners. Unfortunately, a small group of owners have taken it upon themselves to create a serious division in our […]
‘Infuriating’: BC Housing suing 22 people who bought affordable housing units, but allegedly did not meet criteria
Numerous people are being taken to court after purchasing units in The Vivid, a building offering affordable housing units, without meeting the criteria. Vivid at the Yates is a residential development in downtown Victoria with condominiums at a below-market price. Criteria for ownership stated that buyers had to live in the unit, and could not […]
U-Haul height headache: B.C. strata hit with nearly $3,000 payout
B.C.’s Civil Resolution Tribunal has ordered a Vancouver strata to pay a man who rented a U-Haul $2,940 after the strata’s garage signs indicated the roof was higher than the vehicle. In his March 7 decision, tribunal member Christopher Rivers said Nicholas Biden rented a U-Haul truck and went to visit strata tenant Jack Morris […]
Condo Smarts: Strata investors need to be aware of potential liabilities (BC)
Q: As owners of an investment property, we hope you will include our letter for other investors and strata councils to read. We owned two condos in Metro Vancouver that were permitted short-term rentals. They were frequently booked and a profitable investment for our retirement. Read the Q&A………………………………..
B.C. strata must identify off-leash dog complainant
B.C.’s Civil Resolution Tribunal has told a Sidney strata it has to disclose the name of a complainant in an off-leash dog dispute. In his March 5 decision, tribunal vice-chair Eric Regehr said Lynn MacFarlane owned and lived in the strata lot when another resident complained that her dog was off leash on common property, […]
Victoria condo owners face lawsuit after allegedly lying to buy below market units (BC)
The Vivid at the Yates is a gleaming condo tower in downtown Victoria. Built with an interest-free $53-million loan from the provincial government, Vivid was supposed to be a condo project that made a difference. Only eligible buyers with a household income below $150,000 could purchase the units priced eight per cent below market value. […]
Will this actually deter developers from scrapping purchase agreements so they can resell condos at higher prices?
A British Columbia court decision last month should be a deterrent to condominium developers who might terminate purchase agreements so they can resell the units at higher prices. The court awarded a staggering $13 million to 30 condo buyers whose purchase agreements were improperly terminated by the builder. Read the article…………………………….
Mayor’s Message: Year of the Community Association (AB)
As we embark on the journey of another year filled with opportunities and challenges, I am thrilled to declare 2024 as the Year of the Community Association here in Red Deer. This special designation is a tribute to the remarkable contributions these groups make to the social fabric of our city. Throughout the year, I […]
Condo Smarts: Strata must show details of special levy (BC)
Dear Tony: Our strata corporation has approved a special levy in payments for roofing of our eight-building complex. As a large development this will be a significant amount. The first due date of the levy is June 1, then Oct. 1, and April 1, 2025 with a planned completion over a year. Total cost and […]
1 dead after Burnaby condo fire near Metrotown (BC)
The Burnaby RCMP has confirmed a person died during a fire at a vacant condo building near Metrotown Tuesday night. Read the article…………………………….
Condo Smarts: Strata faces insurance confusion after cold snap damage (BC)
Dear Tony: Our strata building was one of the unlucky victims of the extreme cold snap, resulting in an unheated stairwell riser freezing, bursting and damaging our common areas and 11 of our 65 units. To avoid an insurance claim, the property manager and council decided to treat these all as separate claims and advised […]
Why is Edmonton’s condo market so weird? (AB)
Bidding wars and rock-bottom prices — is this really Edmonton’s condo market? While real estate is heating up across the country, Edmonton has remained mostly stagnant. In fact our apartment-style condos remain some of the most affordable anywhere in Canada. But real estate agents are noticing a shift, and it could be big. Read the […]
B.C. strata ordered to do gardening, mend fences
B.C.’s Civil Resolution Tribunal has ordered a White Rock strata do the gardening and mend fences after owners filed legal action against the strata. Owners Celeste and Sean Michaels told tribunal vice-chair Eric Regehr that the strata had failed to repair and maintain common property adjacent to their strata lot. Read the article…………………………….
Tribunal declines to resolve Burnaby strata’s ‘complex’ $315K dispute (BC)
Resolving a dispute over who should pay for certain repairs at Cascade Village will require a decision on the strata’s “whole governance and funding model,” according to the province’s Civil Resolution Tribunal, which refused to decide the issue. Read the article…………………………….
Condo Smarts: Investors need to be aware of their liabilities (BC)
Dear Tony: As owners of an investment property, we hope you will include our letter for other investors and strata councils to read. We owned two condos in Metro Vancouver that were permitted short-term rentals. They were frequently booked and a profitable investment for our retirement. Read the Q&A………………………………..
Condo fire extinguished by melted water pipe leaves $500,000 in damage (SK)
An early-morning fire in a condo building’s ceiling partially put itself out when it melted a water pipe, but the damage left behind added up to an estimated $500,000. Read the article…………………………….
Burnaby strata sues over concrete repair that allegedly knocked out elevator (BC)
A Burnaby strata is suing a concrete repair company for allegedly slicing through electrical conduits and knocking out the highrise’s elevator. The Empress strata, located at 6282 Kathleen Ave. in Metrotown, hired JFR Concrete Repair and Waterproofing to repair parts of the building’s parkade where rainwater had been pooling, according to a notice of civil […]
Condo Smarts: How to decide when to file an insurance claim (BC)
Dear Tony: Our strata building was one of the unlucky victims of the extreme cold snap, resulting in an unheated stairwell riser freezing, bursting and damaging our common areas and 11 of our 65 units. To avoid an insurance claim, the property manager and council decided to treat these all as separate claims and advised […]
Residents displaced in Campbell River due to aggressive condo fire (BC)
Photos of the fire show an entire condo engulfed along with a large portion of the roof. Craig Burkett, a resident in the building said it was a mad rush to try and get some of the vulnerable residents out. Read the article…………………………….
Condo owners with short-term rental plans should beware (AB)
If you are considering buying a condo to operate it as an Airbnb, beware that even if short-term rentals are allowed today, there is no guarantee the condo board and/or the city won’t eliminate short-term rentals in the future. Yes, it always “buyer beware!” Read the article…………………………….
‘Extremely complex’ fire breaks out at Victoria condo building (BC)
A fire erupted at a Victoria condo building just north of the downtown core early Wednesday morning. Photos show flames and smoke coming from the roof of the four-storey Lexington Park condo building, located at 689 Bay St., just after midnight. Read the article…………………………….
Condo Smarts: Strata struggles with misinformation on unauthorized social media account (BC)
Dear Tony: Our strata corporation is struggling with a Facebook page created by an owner that is publishing incorrect information about our major construction project. It has resulted in several potential purchasers walking away from our strata, and a supplier has demanded we pay 50 per cent of our material cost before they agree to […]
Judge awards Richmond condo presale buyers $13.1 million (BC)
More than 30 people who sued Richmond condo developer Anderson Square Holdings Ltd. and two directors over the cancellation of their pre-sale contracts were awarded $13.1 million in damages by a B.C. Supreme Court judge. Read the article…………………………….
Dark screen drama: Burnaby condo tower in legal fight over giant LED display (BC)
A giant, three-storey, mesh LED screen on the side of a Burnaby Metrotown condo tower that hasn’t lit up since 2021 has become the subject of a legal battle. Read the article…………………………….
Real estate agent calls building ‘worst condo in Toronto’ and it’s not what you’re thinking (ON)
With the sketchy fires, bloody hallways, and a thriving scamming scene, ICE condos has built up a horrifying reputation over the past few years. But one real estate agent is now saying there could be a worse building in Toronto. Read the article…………………………….
City of Peterborough To Continue Collection Services For Multi-Residential and Condominium Properties (ON)
Garbage collection services for multi-residential and condominium properties that currently receive City garbage collection will continue after the City Council decides to maintain the service after a meeting on Monday nigh Read the article…………………………….
Condo Smarts: Vigilance required to counter Facebook comments (BC)
Dear Tony: Our strata corporation is struggling with a Facebook page created by an owner that is publishing incorrect information about our major construction project. It has resulted in several potential purchasers walking away from our strata, and a supplier has demanded we pay 50% of our material cost before they will agree to supply […]
B.C. strata owners challenge sign-in sheets for pool, gym and hot tub
B.C.’s Civil Resolution Tribunal has refused to get involved in a dispute between strata owners and their council about pool, gym and hot tub sign-up sheets. Read the article…………………………….
Ontario condo associations raising concerns over safety of board members (ON)
Ontario’s three largest condo associations are sounding the alarm over safety and privacy concerns in the wake of the one-year anniversary of the Vaughan condo shooting. Melissa Nakhavoly reports. Watch the news report…………………………..
$3,200 in fines for condo owner’s shade screen were valid, B.C. tribunal finds
A man who installed a shade screen on the balcony of his condo on the 16th floor of a highrise will have to pay more than $3,000 in bylaw fines, B.C.’s Civil Resolution Tribunal has ruled. Read the article……………………………
Condo Smarts: Even smaller stratas need electric planning report (BC)
Dear Tony: With the new regulations that require strata corporations of 5 units or more to have electric planning reports completed, will this apply to a small townhouse or bare land strata like ours which is only 14 units in Delta? With single detached units where each home has its own panel and meter, why […]
B.C. condo owners not responsible for damage caused by tenant’s discarded cigarette
Mandie Brooks’ condo suffered “significant damage” from a fire that started from a discarded cigarette on her neighbour’s balcony last year, but her attempt to get the owners of the neighbouring unit to pay for the damage has been dismissed. Read the article………………………….
Still haunted on first anniversary of Vaughan condo building mass murder (ON)
John Di Nino still sees the barrel of the gun pointing right at him. His wife Doreen lies crumpled on the vestibule floor of their penthouse condo, their disgruntled neighbour Francesco “Frank” Villi having just fired at her face, the bullet slamming through her jaw and out the back of her neck, knocking her to the […]
‘Blindsided’: Owners of evacuated Edmonton condo receive bills for up to $12K (AB)
Residents of a north Edmonton condo building that was evacuated earlier this year due to structural concerns say they’ve received bills for thousands of dollars after a special assessment was done on the building. Read the article……………………………
B.C. strata fined newborns’ parents for increasing occupancy
Christina James and Matt Rowland lived in Fairview Village complex, but shortly after their first child was born, the strata board notified the couple they were in violation of its occupancy bylaw and began levying fines for the violation, according to a B.C. Civil Resolution Tribunal decision. Read the article……………………………
New strata development regulations streamline EV charging station installations in B.C.
British Columbia has introduced new regulations that will facilitate the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in strata developments. Effective Dec. 6, these changes are aimed at supporting the transition to a low-carbon future and adapting to climate change, according to a recent press release from the Ministry of Housing. Read the article……………………………..
Condo Smarts: Why you should request all reports before buying a property (BC)
Q: We purchased our first condo in Richmond back in August of 2022. At the time, we received the recommended documents from our realtor of a Form B information certificate, which included the depreciation report completed in 2022. Read the Q&A………………………………
B.C. strata renter denied doorbell camera
B.C.’s Civil Resolution Tribunal has rejected a Langley man’s bid to have a doorbell camera at his strata unit. Brodie Thompson rents a strata lot and had installed a doorbell camera without the strata’s approval. ead the article……………………………
B.C. strata ordered to conduct secret probe to catch renegade smoker
Two complainants of second-hand smoke seeping into their unit had claim largely dismissed. However, their strata council has to do more to catch whoever is smoking, causing nuisance, said CRT adjudicator Read the article…………………………
Downtown Windsor condo building residents get heat restored after nearly 3 months (ON)
The heat is back on in units at Royal Windsor Terrace in the city’s downtown, according to the building’s property manager. It’s been roughly three months since a van fell into a downtown hydro vault, affecting the building’s heat because of a large power outage for much of Windsor’s core. Read the article…………………………….
Condo Smarts: Don’t be deceived by a property owner’s disclosure (BC)
Dear Tony: We purchased our first condo in Richmond back in August 2022. At the time we received the recommended documents by our realtor of a Form B Info Certificate, which included the depreciation report completed in 2022. We mistakenly assumed this was the complete report on building conditions, and did not pursue this any […]
Time’s up for some short-term rentals in B.C. as new housing rules transform scene
Nancy Paine’s short-term rental business is dead in the water. As co-founder and CEO of Victoria-based Superhost, Paine said she had been at the forefront of the Airbnb revolution for seven years, acting as a “liaison” for homeowners needing help with the logistics of running a listing on the accommodation site. Read the article……………………………..
B.C. landlord ordered to pay $5,400 for tenant’s spitting, garbage-tossing, vandalism
A B.C. landlord has been ordered to pay $5,400 in strata fines racked up by a former tenant who was accused of breaching the building’s bylaws 75 times Read the article……………………………
New B.C. strata rules make it easier for owners to ask for EV charging stations
The B.C. government has introduced new rules that make it easier for homeowners to ask strata developments to provide electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations. Read the article…………………………..
Condo Smarts: Surveillance causes concern for condo owners (BC)
Q: I live in a condo building in the Okanagan. There is an ongoing dispute with our strata council over the type and frequency of surveillance imposed on owners, tenants and visitors. Our strata council has introduced a number of cameras, not all of which were disclosed to owners and residents, that record the access to […]