APRIL - HAPPY EARTH MONTH!

Did you do your part on April 22nd, Earth Day? All of April is largely considered Earth Month with events and projects promoting greener living. So what can you do as a condo homeowner? Living greener and healthier is a challenge we live with daily. We have some tips and useful links below to get started.

Living healthier and breathing clean air has been a hot topic discussed on our forums. Second hand smoke is a huge nuisance for many. On March 31, 2008, new tobacco legislation came into force which includes smoking bans near public doorways, open windows, air intakes, indoor public places, and work places. How this is interpreted concerns those who live in multi-unit dwellings like apartments, condos, and other strata buildings. We want to know how you feel about it.

TalkStrata.com is still growing and we need more help. We are looking for contributors, especially writers and lawyers, or lawyers who write. Know anyone? Please pass this along. Contact info@talkstrata.com

Welcome to our new subscribers to TalkStrata.com. Please visit our Forum often and post any questions or share your experiences related to strata. Thank you to our current users. We appreciate your contributions and feedback.

Keep posting,

The TalkStrata.com Team

Whether having a conflict with your neighbour, being fined for a noise violation, or wondering how your strata fees are being spent, TalkStrata.com is the place to start your search. Post your questions, share your experiences, learn how strata councils work and understand what all the bylaw "talk" is about - bookmark TalkStrata.com.

NEWEST ARTICLE: Anti-Smoking Legislation and the Condo Owner

The new anti-smoking legislation introduced April 1, 2008 in the province of B.C. prevents smokers from lighting up within 6 meters of common areas in public buildings like doorways, and open windows, as well as bus shelters. In Vancouver, the ban also includes restaurant patios and smoking rooms. The new legislation also prohibits tobacco sales in public buildings and limits the display and promotion of tobacco in establishments that are accessible to youth.

There has been much talk as to whether this ban includes strata complexes and other multi-family dwellings. I think it is safe to say that the ban includes common areas like lobbies, hallways and elevators which many stratas have already addressed in their own bylaws.

Read Full Article

POST YOUR COMMENTS: "Canadian Case Law on Drifting Second-hand Smoke in Multi-Unit Dwellings"

TalkStrata.com wants to hear your feedback on this topic. Read the following article on the issue of second-hand smoke in apartment buildings. Thoughts?Please post your comments here.

http://www.talkstrata.com/files/Canadian_drift_smoke_case_law_March_2007.pdf

This document is intended to clarify the often confusing debate about smokers' versus non-smokers' rights related to drifting second-hand smoke in multi-unit dwellings (MUDs). On this issue, some would argue that tobacco control advocates who talk about smoking bans in MUDs cross the line by infringing on the rights of smokers in their own homes. We often hear that a person's home is their castle, and what they choose to do behind closed doors is no one's business but their own.

Read Full Article

ENERGY SAVING TIPS

For Apartment & Condos
Managing energy costs is a hot topic for many apartment and condo developments. Especially for those that share a common bill for appliances like in-suite gas fireplaces. For some simple ways to use less energy in your strata block or apartment complex, read full article here

For Homeowners (in general)
There are so many energy saving tips and how-to's out there. Save money while reducing your environmental impact. As strata homeowners we can:

* use water wisely (wash laundry in cold, flush toilet less, load a full dishwasher) * conserve energy (turn the lights off, turn off your computer when not in use, turn down the heat)
* reduce waste (recycle paper, bottles, plastics, use a reusable bag for groceries)
* choose transportation alternatives (take the bus, skytrain, walk, bike)
* make greener shopping choices (buy locally, organic, uses less packaging)

Here are some fun links to live green:
Top 10 Tips to Green Condo Life
http://www.talkstrata.com/node/164

Power Smart Tips for Apartments: BC Hydro
http://talkstrata.com/files/power_smart_tips_apartment.pdf

Earth Day Canada’s Top 10 actions to help the environment
http://www.earthday.ca/pub/resources/top10.php

NEW USER POLL QUESTION: How green is your strata?

Talkstrata has posted a new poll on the front page. These informal polls are used to create news interest pieces to share with the strata community, so please enter your vote today

ASK A PRO

Ask a Real Estate Pro
Aislynn Radley is a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker and an active real estate investor. She works with first time homebuyers to help them start their real estate portfolio and expand it over time to create wealth. She also works with real estate investors to help them add the right properties to their real estate holdings. She assists people in buying and selling strata properties and is well versed in strata issues as they relate to real estate. Ask your question HERE

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