A house divided against itself cannot stand and sometimes owners of a divided house cannot stand together, either. Last week, the Civil Resolution Tribunal — a small claims court that also mediates strata disputes — issued its third ruling in as many years to quarrelling Kelowna neighbours, each owning one half of a duplex: Dana […]
Saskatoon firefighters find faulty systems at condo building, spend hours overseeing repairs (SK)
The Saskatoon Fire Department spent around five-and-a-half hours at a condo building Friday night to oversee the repair of fire and life-safety systems they discovered weren’t working properly. During a recent call to a highrise at 1416 20th St. W., Saskatoon firefighters became aware of issues with the fire alarm system, sprinkler system and fire […]
Poorly worded bylaw sees Kelowna condo owners lose strata dispute (ON)
Two Kelowna condo owners have found out the hard way that vacation rentals are allowed in their building even though the strata’s bylaws suggest that suites cannot be rented on a short-term basis. In an effort to get the strata council to take action against owners renting their suites as short-term vacation rentals, condo owners […]
Toronto condo owner says she’s ‘got nowhere’ after months reporting banned short-term rentals (ON)
A downtown Toronto condo owner says despite reporting banned short-term rentals operating in her building for months, the bookings continue — and include self-isolating international travellers who she alleges sometimes flout Canada’s mandatory quarantine order. Read the article……………………………..
Condo Smarts: Get it in writing — it’s in everyone’s best interest
Dear Tony: Our strata corporation has just approved $125,000 from our contingency fund for roofing replacement. We received estimates from only one company, and several owners are concerned that we have not detailed the project correctly and did not get at least three bids before proceeding. Read the Q&A………………………………..
Neighbours seek $1K in B.C. strata dispute over squirrel feeding
Several residents of a B.C. trailer park have failed to get their neighbour fined after they took him to a strata tribunal in an effort to have him barred from feeding the squirrels. Read the article…………………………………
Hundreds of homeowners in Skyview Ranch being sued for unpaid annual fees )AB)
Hundreds of homeowners in the northeast community of Skyview Ranch have been handed lawsuits alleging they violated homeowner association rules. The residents are being sued by the Skyview Ranch Homeowners Association (HOA) for hundreds of dollars each to collect unpaid mandatory annual fees. According to multiple statements of claim filed by the HOA over a […]
Permanent residents of Summerland resort must move or face major fee increase (BC)
Loreen and Ed Knelsen bought a unit in the south building of the resort in December 2009, which has been their permanent residence since that time. Then on Dec. 11, 2019, they received a letter from their strata council, telling them their fees would increase by $10,800 a year if they did not put their […]
Richmond condo owner wins compensation over second-hand smoke (BC)
Pui-Ling Yee claimed the strata failed to investigate her complaints about second-hand smoke and aromatherapy scents entering her unit from a neighbour’s unit. Read the article…………………………………
Condo resident wants change as the ‘Bayview Squawker’ goes all day long (BC)
“If you open the window, you’re pretty much bound to hear it. If you go out on your deck, you’re pretty much bound to hear it,” said Pfeifer, who lives in one of the Bayview condos on Saghalie Road. The noise Pfeifer is talking about is a squawking sound that comes from a device on […]
Estates residents waiting for pavement (AB)
A condominium association at Hilliard’s Bay continues to plead with Big Lakes County to pave a main road. At its regular meeting Jan. 13, council responded to a letter from Hilliard’s Bay Estates Condo Association. “We want to sit down and talk with them about the project,” Reeve Ken Matthews says. Read the article……………………………………
Condo Smarts: LED conversion smart, but council must seek owners’ permission (BC)
Dear Tony: Our strata council entered into a contract to change all of our lighting in common areas to LEDs to increase light levels and reduce the cost of electricity. They did not obtain the authorization of the owners at a general meeting, and have declared there will be no additional expense, as the contractor […]
Why a pandemic isn’t a good enough reason for B.C. strata councils to make quick changes
A Victoria seniors condo building has been reprimanded after it refused to let its housekeeper clean a condo because the owner had attended a funeral where no social distancing took place. In a Jan. 20 Civil Resolution Tribunal decision, the strata council at Rosebank Gardens argued the situation happened in the very early days of […]
Maintenance fees too high? Get involved with your condo
End user condominium purchasers can be surprisingly oblivious to not only their rights owners, but also how good governance can reduce both their short- and long-term monthly maintenance fees. “Even current owners don’t know how condo corporations are run,” Read the article…………………………….
Condo Smarts: Making a case for lighting upgrades (BC)
Dear Tony: Our strata council entered into a contract to change all of our lighting in common areas to LEDs to increase light levels and reduce electricity costs. They did not obtain the owners’ authorization at a general meeting for this expense and have declared there is no additional expense as the contractor has agreed to […]
Estates residents waiting for pavement (AB)
A condominium association at Hilliard’s Bay continues to plead with Big Lakes County to pave a main road. At its regular meeting Jan. 13, council responded to a letter from Hilliard’s Bay Estates Condo Association. “We want to sit down and talk with them about the project,” Reeve Ken Matthews says. Read the article…………………………………
Apartment and Condo Residents Asked to Take Food Waste Diversion Survey (ON)
The City of Kingston is seeking the input of apartment and condo residents in regards to its decision on making the Green Bin program – separating food waste and organics from regular garbage – mandatory in apartments/condos. Read the article………………………………….
B.C. landlord ordered to pay strata $15K after tenants rent condos on Airbnb
A B.C. landlord has found himself on the hook for $15,000 in strata fines after his tenants rented out his condos on Airbnb. The order is, however, a fraction of the $52,200 in fines the landlord got from the strata. Read the article………………………………….
Condo Smarts: Noise complaints on rise as people stay home during pandemic (BC)
Dear Tony: With so many people at home now, we have an increasing number of noise-related complaints. In our mid-sized Nanaimo apartment building constructed of wood, normal sounds like washing machines, flushing toilets, cabinets closing and people walking around are on the increase. Read the Q&A…………………………………..
Richmond Hill homeowner raises concerns about lack of oversight for condo fees after 9 per cent hike (ON)
It turns out there are no limitations on increases in Mehrzad Namdari’s condominium fees, or anybody else’s in Ontario. The Richmond Hill homeowner found out the hard way after being hit with an unexpected nine per cent hike on his condo fees this year. Read the article……………………………….
18.5 % of Toronto Condos Increased Maintenance Fees 20% and Higher for the First 3 Years after Registration (ON)
The province’s auditor general revealed that condominium industry of Ontario does not adequately protects condo owners. CondoBI investigated tendencies of GTA condominiums’ maintenance fees change for the first 3 years Read the article……………………………………
Condo Smarts: Methods to streamline electronic general meetings (BC)
Dear Tony: I have appreciated your column in The Province for a long time — it’s very informative and straightforward. I am the president of our building, and last year we successfully used Zoom for our Annual General Meeting, with roughly 100 people attending by computer, tablet and phone. We used the “Raise Hand” for […]
B.C. condo owner wins $2,000 damages for noises by neighbour’s toddler
Around June last year, condo owner Helen Tran left a note on the door of neighbours living above her. In the note, Tran asked them to keep the noise down. The woman was specifically concerned about the noises being made by the toddler there. Read the article………………………………..
Surrey woman told by strata to remove her dog deemed ‘too tall’ by the bylaw (BC)
A Surrey resident is being asked to get rid of her furry companion, a nine-month-old Golden Retriever mix named Scout. Rabiya Merani told CTV News Vancouver she was surprised to learn that her dog’s size was violating a strata bylaw. “I got a letter that said that she was too tall and that she would […]
Condo Smarts: Sound planning ensures smooth virtual meetings (BC)
Dear Tony: Last year, our strata successfully used Zoom for our AGM, with roughly 100 people attending by computer, tablet and phone. We used the “raise hand” system for voting, and the meeting went quite smoothly (after a lot of preparation). Last year’s AGM was relatively simple in regards to issues and new board members […]
Condo bylaws should protect against privacy breaches (AB)
Question: I am the president of our condominium. It is the policy of our board that all board members sign a confidentiality agreement. We have a board member who refuses to sign the confidentiality agreement, and we believe that they like to share confidential board information with other owners. Can we exclude this board member […]
B.C. strata insurance market could take years to correct: BCFSA
It may take years before British Columbia’s “unhealthy” strata insurance market normalizes, according to the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA). In its final report to government, the BCFSA cautioned that there is no simple fix for a market that has seen premiums and deductibles jump by double- and triple-digit percentage increases in a relatively short […]
A Look Back at 2020
Our Top Five Blog Stories from 2020 Read the article……………………………………..
Neighbourhood watch: Homeowner associations ensure appearances aren’t slipping in the suburbs (AB)
In 1986, the Whitemud Creek Homeowner’s Association was a rarity in Edmonton. Tucked between Rabbit Hill Road and the Whitemud Creek Ravine, the neighbourhood was initially planned as a gated community — to this day a guardhouse still stands at its entrance. According to the research Donna LaFleche could dig up, when the city kiboshed the […]
Strata council member slammed for filing legal action against homeowner without other members’ consent (BC)
A White Rock man has received a judicial roasting for falsely claiming to speak on behalf of a strata council before a quasi-judicial tribunal. Henry Peter Rose was a member of his strata council when he launched a claim at the Civil Resolution Tribunal for $2791.52 against Roderick Louis, alleging unpaid strata fees. Read the […]
‘Someone is going to get hurt’: security concerns at Winnipeg 55-plus condo (MB)
Residents of St. Andrew’s Place, a 55-plus condo building in Winnipeg, are speaking out about some unwanted guests in their building. Dave Comeau, whose mother lives in the building, said he’s noticed a lot of people squatting in the last couple of months. Read the article………………………………….
Condo complex evacuated after fire in southeast Calgary (AB)
Residents in two southeast Calgary condo buildings were forced from their homes early Sunday morning. Read the article……………………………………
No easy solutions to complex problem of high condo insurance premiums: B.C. report
A Crown corporation that regulates British Columbia’s private-sector insurance companies says an average 40 per cent increase in condo insurance premiums resulted from various factors including risks that insurers face from earthquakes, w Read the article……………………………………
City fixes Cameron Heights fence after deaths of several deer and years of complaints (AB)
“The city also installed orange snow fencing to the top of the fence as a temporary measure to reduce the danger to wildlife by helping them better see the limits of the fence until the permanent retrofits could be completed,” she said. The news comes as a relief to homeowner’s association president Melanie Wilson who […]
Woodpecker problem: B.C. strata owner fails to prove $65,000 claim for bird damage on property
Woodpeckers of the northern flicker variety drilled holes on the exterior of a B.C. strata building where Watson owns a unit. By the way, the northern flicker is a protected bird species in Canada. According to Watson, the strata council did not address the issues he raised regarding damage and the supposed losses he incurred. […]
Condo Smarts: Recent ruling affects fee increases (BC)
Dear Tony: Our strata corporation normally has its annual meeting 60 days after our fiscal year-end at the end of February — this gives us time to review our financials in advance of the next year and provide an accurate report to the owners with our notice. Read the Q&A…………………………………..
Changes to Occupiers’ Liability Act will have ‘significant impact’ on condo law, says lawyer (ON)
Recent amendments to the Occupiers’ Liability Act changing how slip-and-fall claims can be brought against condo corporations are good news for condo corporations and insurers, says Rodrigue Escayola, Gowling WLG civil litigator and condo lawyer. Read the article………………………………………..
Mississauga residents fight to have pipeline valve removed from entrance to neighbourhood (ON)
The Gordon Woods Homeowners’ Association, whose 350 members work to preserve the character of their neighbourhood, has sent a letter to Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan asking him to review approval by the Canada Energy Regulator that allowed the company to build the valve compound at its current location. Read the article……………………………..
Couple ordered to remove rainbow doormat and flag after neighbours complain (BC)
A couple living in a North Vancouver condo say their strata is letting harassment and discrimination go unchecked after they were told this year to remove a rainbow doormat and rainbow flag, or face fines. Read the article……………………………
Condo Smarts: Understanding ‘best pricing’ insurance terms (BC)
Q: Our 78-unit townhouse complex in the Interior renewed its policy in November with no claims for the last five years, and our deductible went to $100,000, and our policy has gone from $55,000 a year to $129,000. In October, our broker told us that this was beyond their control with the hard market and the […]
Illegal reno threatens West Van townhouse structure: lawsuit (BC)
The District of West Vancouver and a pair of residents are headed for court over alleged illegal renovation work that may be threatening the structural integrity of a townhouse complex at West Royal Towers. Read the article…………………………………..
Condo watchdogs lack teeth, says Ontario’s Auditor General
Ontario’s auditor general is raising concern about the inspection regime covering retirement homes, fare refunds for GO train users and consumer protection for condo owners. Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk’s annual report, released Monday, includes value-for-money audits of 13 government programs and agencies, inlcuding Metrolinx, the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority, and the agencies overseeing the condominium […]
Underinsurance leads to whopping bill after fire at condo building (BC)
After a fire 16 months ago, Derek Wubs still has no home and no answers. What he does have is a $37,000 bill he’s struggling to pay for his burned-out Chilliwack condo, and a warning for others. “I was under the belief that paying my strata fees would result in the appropriate building insurance being […]
Couple keeps Christmas display after condo company fight (ON)
Residents at a condo complex in Lagoon City will be able to keep their Christmas decorations up after all. Diane Beaumont and Ken Marshall had been locked into a dispute with the condo management company over their display of inflatable characters. On Saturday, Marshall said they’d come to an agreement to move them 100 m […]
Condo owners surprised to discover new insurer, new property manager in place (AB)
Question: I live in a condominium complex for people over the age of 55. The board neglected to notify owners of a change in the insurance company and deductible. The new insurance certificate was not provided to owners. Further, the board changed management companies with no notification to owners. We found out about the change […]
Condo Smarts: Council should take steps to reduce potential for fraud (BC)
Dear Tony: I am the acting treasurer for our strata corporation in the Fraser Valley and took over a year ago. In the process of setting up a series of maintenance contracts that we use to approve monthly expenses, I discovered a payable over the previous five years — from 2013 to 2018 — for […]
Emily Yu, owner of B.C. townhome-turned-hostel, officially moves out (BC)
She had been listing the three-bedroom unit as a hostel that could sleep 15 people through several online platforms, prompting numerous complaints from neighbours. Short-term rentals were allegedly in violation of strata bylaws. She was found in contempt of court in 2018, and later ordered to pay about $95,000 to the province and more than […]
Insurers in B.C. ditch pricing method linked to skyrocketing condo premiums
Insurance companies in British Columbia have agreed to end a pricing practice that has been identified as one of the key factors in skyrocketing property insurance premiums for condominiums. Earlier this year, the B.C. Financial Services Authority said premiums have gone up by 40 per cent on average for a number of reasons. Read the […]
Augustina Condo Association Challenges (SK)
The season of giving is right around the corner. On November 24th, the Humboldt District Hospital Foundation (HDHF) received $300 from the Augustina Condo Association. Evelyn Sarauer and Joan Hergott dropped off the donation after collecting their recycling refund. Read the article……………………………….
Illegal reno threatens West Van townhouse structure: lawsuit (BC)
The District of West Vancouver and a pair of residents are headed for court over alleged illegal renovation work that may be threatening the structural integrity of a townhouse complex at West Royal Towers. In a court petition filed in October, Philip and Raven Garrow accuse the district of unlawfully putting a stop-work order on […]