Last reviewed October 2020 by the Clicklaw Editors

NOTE: COVID-19 has affected the operation of strata corporations. Check out the bulletins from the Condominium Home Owners Association of BC for new and updated guidelines. 

Strata housing is often referred to as condos or condominiums. However, strata housing can also include duplexes, townhouses, fractional vacation properties, and even single family homes in bare land strata corporations (“strata subdivisions”). The BC Strata Property Act and the strata corporation's bylaws and rules determine your rights and responsibilities as a strata owner.

Good starting points include:

• Owning a Condominium, from People's Law School, provides an overview of what is involved in being a strata title owner, what a strata corporation does, and what laws apply to condominiums.
• The provincial government website has information about strata housing that includes "Understanding Stratas", "Operating a Strata", "Resolving Strata Disputes", and "Renting, Building and Selling Strata".
• COVID-19 Bulletins, from the Condominium Home Owners Association of BC, has new and updated guidelines regarding strata corporations' management.  

Do you have a dispute?

• The Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) helps you resolve strata disputes. It will direct you to use the Strata Solution Explorer for finding relevant legal information and self-help tools. If you aren’t able to resolve your dispute using this tool, it will lead you to the CRT’s online application form.

Need more help?

• Lawyer Referral Service can help you find a strata lawyer for a free initial consultation of up to 30 minutes.

See our related common questions:

• See all common questions about housing, tenancy & neighbours

tags

condos, strata properties, property owner, condominium owner rights, Strata Property Act, coronavirus, COVID-19, covid19