Peter is a skilled tile setter who recently plunged into the Vancouver condo market.  He was eager to buy, renovate and get out while the market was still hot.

He found an apartment with lots of potential in a great building,  moved in and grabbed the first available seat on the strata council.

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

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.

I came across this funny article from Vancouver Magazine. Even though it was published in 2006, still sheds some comic relief of what "Strata Hell" could or does look like. Happy commiserating.

Click to Read Full Article

"Condo owners who threaten murder. Treasurers who steal cash. Welcome to the weird world of strata councils.

The Browns were determined to buy into a condominium with pet restrictions, despite the fact that they owned a cat. Somehow, Casey would have to be allowed. First they asked the strata council for an exemption from the pet bylaw but were refused.  Then they consulted a lawyer who formally threatened the council with litigation and made vague references to precedents, discrimination, claims for damages and the human rights code.

A NEW PROGRAM FOR RESOLVING STRATA DISPUTES
Are you involved in a strata dispute? Need help? Wondering where to go for assistance?

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:

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:
 

I live on the fourth floor in a condominium sandwiched between two units. Sharing my west wall is a pair of Japanese students. To my east lives a young urban couple with two curious cats – a chubby tuxedo cat and a young grey tabby. All three of our units share a long adjoining balcony. Two floor-to-ceiling opaque glass dividers separate me from my neighbors - giving me the privacy I assume I get when I’m in my own home. Or so I thought…