A poorly worded strata bylaw has allowed a Lake Country condo owner with Alberta plates to avoid paying the fines dished out against her. The Lake Country strata had sent Jade Laycock $130 in fines because she’d failed to provide it with proof her husband’s truck, registered in Alberta, was insured.   Read the entire article……………………………….

The Town of The Blue Mountains has been asked to assume the water distribution assets of a local condominium corporation.  Bob Welling, President of Grey Condominium Corporation 63 (GCC 63), East Ridge, appeared as a delegation at council’s meeting on May 10 to request the town assume ownership of the East Ridge water distribution system.  […]

What happens when an owner exceeds the number of pets permitted under strata bylaws? Pets are prohibited in our building, and a new owner has a dog and a cat.   Read the Q&A……………………………….

A Salmon Arm couple that replaced their lawn with artificial turf has lost a legal case against their strata.  According to a May 4 B.C. Civil Resolution Tribunal decision, Daryl and Gail Jeannotte believed the fake grass was allowed at their strata complex.   Read the entire article……………………………….

Dear Tony: We are a modest 58 unit low rise building. Our annual meeting was scheduled for March 21st, however, since there was no quorum, the meeting was adjourned to one week later  Read the Q&A……………………………….

Stephen Ross said his family was ’emotionally drained’ from the ‘cracking, thumping and running’ coming from upstairs; his neighbour said her daughter was just playing Barbies.  Read the entire article……………………………….

A B.C. condo owner that was stung with $700 in fines because the company logo on her son’s work van broke the strata’s advertising bylaws has won a legal case.  Chilliwack condo owner Jo-Lynn Loyer took her strata to the B.C. Civil Resolution Tribunal after it dished out multiple fines.   Read the entire article……………………………….

A Burnaby condo building resident says he’s feeling helpless after his building was hit by thieves who plundered their mailboxes.  Late in March, early on a Monday morning, two thieves broke the entry box on his building and in a few seconds opened the front door and proceeded to the mail area, he said.    Read the […]

The process of developing a strategic plan for this community on the shores of Lake Erie took a big step forward Saturday as numerous residents came out to share their concerns, wants and needs for the future.   Read the entire article……………………………….

Alberta condominium owners groups say they’re disappointed and frustrated the government is delaying the long-awaited creation of a body that would help resolve condo battles out of court.  Read the entire article……………………………….

Dear Tony: How do we find out the costs and liabilities of a new strata high rise in a development in Burnaby with several air space parcels, when it is a pre-sales purchase?    Read the Q&A……………………………….

This is a contractual agreement where a buyer agrees to complete the purchase of the strata lot under certain conditions.  Read the Q&A……………………………….

B.C.’s Civil Resolution Tribunal has ruled in favour of a strata property owner in a case where he alleged he had been incorrectly charged $15,742.32 after a sewage backup through his kitchen sink.   Read the entire article……………………………….

B.C.’s Civil Resolution Tribunal says a woman must pay a $50 fine for putting paper in the incorrect recycling bin at her strata complex.  On April 8, 2021, the Lower Mainland strata sent Cynthia Balayewich a letter, alleging a unit occupant had disposed of paper in the glass bin. The strata said its caretaker found […]

A B.C. couple won’t have to pay $3,200 in strata fines after it successfully convinced a Tribunal that they built a pergola and not a carport.  According to an April 13 B.C. Civil Resolution Tribunal, the Fraser Valley strata had fined Terry and Carline Morelli $200 each week for not taking down what it said […]

The Alberta government hopes changing how condominium corporations can charge owners for property damage will better protect residents from escalating condo fees.   Read the entire article……………………………….     and more…………………………………..

A former employee at a luxury condo tower in Richmond has accused the building’s strata of age discrimination.  Nicola Smith was acting head concierge for two years at the Rivergreen complex overlooking the Olympic Oval when she claims she was repeatedly asked by strata president Michael Tse for her birth date.   Read the entire article……………………………….

With more than 1.5 million British Columbians living in strata housing, it’s important for homebuyers to know what they’re getting into.   Read the entire article……………………………….

One of Vancouver’s biggest developers has entered new territory in the evolving world of B.C. condos by creating a penthouse in a separate air-space parcel from the rest of the building, which will put it outside the control of other strata owners, rules and fees.   Read the entire article……………………………….

A B.C. condo owner that was “mean, harsh and rude,” to a gardener has lost a legal challenge against her strata.  The condo owner filed a case with the Civil Resolution Tribunal asking for an order to stop the strata from accusing her of bullying and harassment.    Read the entire article……………………………….

Q: Our strata council is struggling with a challenge from an owner relating to an alteration request on common property.  Read the Q&A……………………………….

‘Our homeowners suffered substantial loss,’ says Shipyards development condo board president following Sept. 22/23 flooding event in Collingwood that saw sewage flood six basements in the development   Read the entire article……………………………….

The issue of condominium project cancellations are the subject of a public consultation by the provincial government.  This consultation is of interest to the thousands of Ontarians who have had their dreams of home ownership shattered because developers are permitted to cancel condo projects at will, with no oversight.   Read the entire article……………………………….

Water damage is a nightmare no condo owner wants to experience and you might be surprised to learn homeowners can be on the hook for the cost of repairs to their strata unit – even if a leak originated in another unit or a common area.    View the report……………………………..

While the city wants to assess how to bring existing buildings into the green bin program, it also wants to score a quick win when it comes to new developments.   Read the entire article……………………………….

An ongoing land dispute between a builder and the Town of West Lincoln has left residents of a condo development paying the price.  A vacant piece of land attached to a condo development on Carter Drive in Smithville is at the centre of a growing issue. The builder, DeHaan Homes, owns it but wants to […]

A Vancouver strata owner won’t be getting his floor replacement or other plumbing expenses from his strata corporation after B.C.’s Civil Resolution Tribunal decided the problem originated in his suite.   Read the entire article……………………………….

Question: I am seeking for advice to dissolve our condo complex involving two units (one building) after a major fire claim. The unit most affected by the fire was completed rebuilt and the value has increased as well. To avoid any conflict of interest in the future, is there a way to dissolve our two-unit […]

The controversy surrounding digital voting platforms that make it possible for board members and property managers to spy on owners’ votes ahead of a meeting has left industry members wondering what’s next for protecting the integrity of condo governance in the age of technology.   Read the entire article……………………………….

Legislation introduced today, April 6, will give provincially regulated companies, co-operatives, societies and condominium corporations the option to continue meeting virtually or with a mix of in-person and virtual participants.   Read the entire article……………………………….

Q: Our strata corporation just completed a $1.8 million repair on balconies and roofing.  The property management company provided us with a detailed summary of the project, which ended on budget, but several owners have requested an audit of the special levy account.  Is there a specific threshold or value where an audit is a requirement […]

Wesgroup Properties is refuting the claims of a new condo owner who said that his parking stall did not meet the City of Vancouver’s size requirements.  Read the entire article……………………………….

People who bought units in an Ontario condominium development said they were shocked when the developer raised prices and demanded more money despite them having signed contracts.  Read the entire article……………………………….

B.C.’s Civil Resolution Tribunal has upheld a Vancouver strata corporation’s decision to hold a revote for a $1.3-million special levy for a $1.9-million project.  “The applicants disagree with the outcome of the revote in this dispute,” tribunal member Kate Campbell said in an April 4 decision. “I find there is nothing in the evidence before […]

While often thought of as outdated, a B.C. man is being forced to carpet his apartment after losing a fight with the strata over the noise his hard floors are creating.  Despite Ahmed Shafey argument that carpet would exacerbate and aggravate his allergies, the strata ordered him to remove his 15-year-old laminate flooring and replace […]

B.C.’s Civil Resolution Tribunal has ruled a strata council cannot collect a bylaw fine from an owner renting out a unit unless both the tenant and owner have been notified of an alleged bylaw breach.   Read the entire article……………………………….

Cracked pipes inside the wall and faulty electrical wirings are common examples of latent defects in a residential property.  To explain, latent defects are deficiencies that are not seen or easily discovered through a reasonable inspection.   Read the entire article……………………………….

After two years of dispute, the B.C. Civil Resolution Tribunal has given a little relief to an Osoyoos couple who claimed they faced racial abuse and violence which was caught on camera.   Read the entire article……………………………….

B.C.’s Civil Resolution Tribunal has ordered a man who refused to pay his strata corporation fees to pay up.  A B.C. strata corporation took Ronald Jay Blackall to the tribunal alleging he owed $6,848 primarily in strata fees. It sought an order that he settle his outstanding bill and pay promptly in the future.   Read […]

Q:  Our strata corporation is undertaking some major construction planned upgrades. The work is projected to take two years. On our behalf, one of our council members has agreed to manage the project, coordinate communication with owners, and approve invoices for payment   Read the Q&A…………………………………..