Read Full Article including the case law
http://www.talkstrata.com/files/Canadian_drift_smoke_case_law_March_2007.pdf

The Vancouver Island Strata Owners Association (VISOA) have created a great brochure to help Condo Buyers with some of the finer nuances of the Strata Corporation. According to Tony Davis, Director, VISOA,

"Many of the problems new condo buyers experience are a result of lack of
information about condo living. We have prepared a brochure to help potential buyers make informed decisions."

Early this spring I was doing my volunteer gardening on Melcroft Street. The soil was muddy and sticking to my boots. There were three square bricks leading to a garden hose that for some reason was not to be turned on till late May.

The following question was submitted through our Contact Form and we thought it was important information to share.

Q: Is there a specific reference somewhere that states that all Condo unit owners must have some sort of minimum insurance coverage for their unit?

A: The simple answer is no - there is no requirement. But there are very good reasons why a condo owner should choose to get personal insurance:

Regardless of whether your strata corporation is managed by a professional management company or self managed, it is important to address your strata council in writing if you have a concern that you would like a resolution to. Some common reasons that cause owners to write to their council are:

Many owners have questions about what in fact their strata council does and is supposed to do. Here is a list taken from a resource (Role/responsibilities of the Strata Council) published by the Financial Institutions Commission:

Specific Duties of the Strata Council

The specific duties of the strata council include the following:

You were thrilled when you bought your new condo and could hardly wait to move in. The first thing you did was hang your gorgeous, purple, velvet drapes. Unbelievably, they’d only been up a week when the strata council squawked and told you to take them down.

Naturally you were outraged and ready to do battle. Maybe you should never have bought a place in this */!* building where other people make */!* rules about what you can and can’t do in your own suite.

The following question was submitted through our Contact Form and we thought the Question and Answer may help other strata condo owners.

Q: How do I get on my strata council?

A: Every owner is eligible to sit on council as long as you are the registered owner and are in good standing (have no fees owing). Council members are elected at the Annual General Meeting.

When a strata corporation is created, the corporation automatically acquires the Standard Bylaws in the Strata Property Act (view the Standard Bylaws here).

The strata can delete, add or change the bylaws by holding a special resolution vote at either a Special General Meeting or the Annual General Meeting. If a 3/4 vote is obtained the bylaws are amended and must be filed at the Land Titles office within 60 days of approval.

The following question was submitted through our Contact Form and we thought the Question and Answer may help other strata condo owners.

Q: What resources do we have as owners for help with Strata councils that pick and choose what gets done and won't follow the rules?

A: There are a couple of answers to that question. Because we do not know the exact situation here are a couple of broad statements and ideas: