When you purchase a Condo in Vancouver you are automatically member of the owner's association (Strata). As such, you are entitled to vote on decisions before the association (Strata council) regarding changes in by-laws, development an repair, and other matter.
A strata development consists of strata lots, common property and common assets. The Strata property act creates a democratic structure for the operation of a strata corporation. On July 1 2000, the Strata Property Act, as amended, replaced the Condominium Act.
A strata corporation must manage the common property and common assets of the strata corporation for the benefit of the owners.
A strata corporation must repair and maintain its common property (building structure, building exterior, chimneys, stairs, balconies, windows, skylights, fences and other things attached to the exterior of the building) as well as its common assets. Depending on the bylaws, the corporation may also have a duty to repair and maintain limited common property or features in a strata lot.
A strata corporation must obtain property insurance on the common property, including any buildings shown on the strata plan, the common assets and any fixtures built or installed on a strata lot by the developer as part of the original construction of that strata lot. In addition, the strata corporation must maintain insurance against liability for property damage and bodily injury.
Every year the strata corporation must review the adequacy of its coverage and report about it to the owners at the annual general meeting.
The strata corporation must prepare minutes of every general meeting and every strata council meeting, including the result of all votes. The strata corporation must keep copies of all meeting minutes for at least 6 years.
A strata corporation must prepare all the following records:
- Minutes of General meetings and council meetings, including the result of any vote,
- A list of council members,
- A list of owners with their strata lot address, mailing address, strata lot number as shown on the strata plan, parking stall number, and unit entitlment,
- A list of names and addresses of mortgagees who have filed mortgagee's request for notification (form C),
- A list of names of tenants,
- A list of assignments of voting or other rights by landlords to tenants,
- Books of account showing money received and spent and the reason for the receipt or expenditures,
- Any other record required by the regulation.
Each Strata lot has one vote and to vote, one must be the owner of a strata lot.
Most decisions at a general meeting require a majority vote, a 3/4 vote, or unanimous vote, depending on the circumstances.
- to approve the first annual budget,
- to amend a proposed budget at the Anual general meeting,
- to remove one or more council member from council,
- to approve a resolution to cancel a starta management contract,
- to approve a significant change in the use or appearance of common property,
- to approve a resolution for the strata corporation to acquire land,
- to approve an expenditure from the contigency reserve fund,
- to approve a special levy,
- to amend by-laws in a strata plan,
- to approve a change in the number of strata lots to be rented or the rental period set out in the developer's disclosure statement.
Every strata corporation must have 2 funds: an operating fund and a contigency reserve fund. The strata corporation must account for each fund separately and all owners must contribute to the funds through their strata fees.
Must be established to pay for common expenses that usually occur one or more times each year. common expenses are those relating to the common property and common assets of the strata corporation.
Must be established to pay for common expenses that usually occur less often then once a year or not al all. It is in effect a fund for the strata corporation unsual expenses. Must be of at least 25% of the total annual budgeted contribution to the operating fund for the current year.
- the opening and current balances in the operating fund,
- the opening and current balances in the Contigency reserve fund,
- details of the corporation's income from all sources,
- details of expenditures out of the operating fund, including details of any unaproved expenditures,
- income and expenditures, if any, by special levy.
- the opening balances in the operating fund and the CRF,
- the estimated income from all sources other than strata fees,
- the estimated expenditures out of the operating fund,
- the total of all contributions to the operating fund and the CRF,
- each strata lot's monthly contribution to the operating fund and CRF,
- the estimated balance in the CRF at the end of the fiscal year.
All strata corporations with five or more strata lots must obtain depreciation reports. Strata corporations may no longer defer getting a depreciation report by holding an annual 3/4 vote. Strata corporations will have time to meet this requirement.
Strata corporations are legally required to repair and maintain common property. A depreciation report tells a strata corporation what common property and assets it has and the projected maintenance, repair and replacement costs over a 30-year time span.
Common property is not just buildings. Common property and assets can also include landscaping, roads, recreational amenities and many other items. All strata corporations including bare land strata corporations (sometimes referred to as “strata subdivisions”) with five or more strata lots will also have to obtain depreciation reports on a five-year cycle. Bare land strata corporations are usually responsible for the long-term repair and maintenance of subdivision infrastructure including roads, water, electricity, and sewage.
The depreciation report helps strata lot owners protect their homes and investments and avoid being surprised by unexpected special levies. The report also provides valuable information to prospective buyers, mortgage and insurance providers.
RE/MAX Crest Realty
1195 W Broadway 3rd Floor Vancouver, BC V6H 3X5
