Strata glossary

Strata legislation in B.C. uses some words and terms with specific meanings that users should understand.

Links to some legal definitions are listed below; some other terms and words are also listed for the convenience of users, as per this website's purpose and limits.

Legal Definitions

Legal definitions can also be affected by judicial decisions and court cases. Getting legal advice can be very helpful.

Below is a list of legal definitions from the Strata Property Act and strata regulations.

• The Strata Property Act, sections on Definitions and Interpretation: 1, 199, 217
• Bare Land Strata Regulation, section on Interpretation: 1.1
• Bare Land Strata Plan Cancellation Regulation, section on Interpretation: 1
• Strata Property Regulation, sections on Definitions and Interpretation: 1.1, 4.01, 8.1, 8.2, 9.1, 12.1, 14.1, 14.2, 17.1 

Glossary of other terms and words

A few more words and terms are listed below for the convenience of users which are not referenced in the links above.

Condo or condominium

Condominium is the word used for strata properties in other provinces. In B.C., condo or condominium is often informally used  to refer to apartment-style strata housing. However there are many different kinds of stratas including single family homes in bare land strata corporations ("strata subdivisions"). Many different types of property can be strata-titled. There are commercial strata corporations, industrial, mixed-use and residential. Strata-titled properties can include: duplexes, marinas, horse stables, hotels and more.

Depreciation reports

Information provided to strata owners and prospective purchasers for projected strata repairs, maintenance and costs for the next 30 years. Other provinces refer to depreciation reports as reserve fund studies.

Land Title Office 

The Land Title Office (LTO) is a frequent reference in B.C.'s strata legislation, the BC Land Title & Survey Authority (LTSA) is the current organization.

Reserve Fund Studies (RFS)

The term used in other provinces for depreciation reports.

Strata

B.C. is the only jurisdiction in North America to use the term strata instead of condominium. B.C. follows the example of the Australian state of New South Wales. In 1961 New South Wales was the first jurisdiction to introduce strata (condo) legislation.

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Find it fast a handy site map listing all the Province's strata housing webpages.

The information on this website about strata housing is provided for the user’s convenience as a basic starting point; it is not a substitute for getting legal advice. Learn more about the site’s purpose and limits. The content on this website is periodically reviewed and updated by the Province of British Columbia as per the date noted at the top of each page.