When Is a Statutory Building Scheme No Longer Enforceable? Unfortunately, the answer to that question is, “it depends”. A statutory building scheme is a document that is registered on title to properties within a subdivision imposing terms that limit what a homeowner can do with his or her property. Statutory building schemes can be very…
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Does your Strata have an owner not paying their strata fees? Strata Corporations can now collect full legal fees when collecting on a strata lien. A strata corporation should not have a buildup of arrears from owner(s) as it can be a great burden on many strata corporations when one or more owners are not…
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An owner sued the strata corporation and the strata corporations’ property manager alleging she suffered injuries as a result of inhaling toxic paint fumes when a painting company engaged by the strata corporation repainted the common property hallways and stairways in both of the strata buildings: Wingrave v. Pure Painters Inc. ,2018 BCSC 58. The owner’s…
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When purchasing any real estate, the onus falls on purchasers to investigate the state and quality of the property they intend to buy. When considering units in apartments, condo buildings, townhouses, and even duplexes, purchasers should ensure they have a subject condition in the Contract of Purchase and Sale allowing them to review and approve…
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Electric vehicle (“EV”) charging stations are on the rise. Many strata owners are requesting the installation of charging stations. Recently, we have seen charging stations pop up around the city of Kelowna and throughout the Okanagan. those stations can be found here. An EV car can be charged by just using a regular 120 V…
Read MoreIf you live in a condo, townhouse, or other strata property, or if you’re thinking of buying one, you may want to get familiar with the term ‘special levy’. A special levy is money collected from strata lot owners for a specific purpose and for a common expense. They are often collected when a large…
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Every strata council is at some point placed in the unenviable position of having to chase an owner for unpaid strata fees or special levies. Too often, strata councils drag their feet in enforcing such non-payment, not wanting to play the bad guy who has to put pressure on an owner who may be in…
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One of the challenges faced by Strata Corporations is the addition of first time strata owners that have lived in a single family home their entire life. These owners move into a strata complex without an appreciation of the change in lifestyle this represents. Generally speaking, the strata concept is communal living in which the…
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Headlines were made recently by a landlord’s attempt to find out which tenant/dog owner allowed his pooch to leave some “surprises” in a rental building stairwell. The landlord sent all dog owners living in a Burnaby apartment building a letter (along with a plastic bag) and demanded doggie DNA in the form of stool samples…
Read MoreEvery strata council is at some point placed in the unenviable position of having to chase an owner for unpaid strata fees or special levies. Too often, strata councils drag their feet in enforcing such non-payment, not wanting to play the bad guy who has to put pressure on an owner who may be in…
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