Purpose of the strata housing website

Learn more on this page about the purpose and limits of the strata housing website and the Province of British Columbia's role.

Learn more on this page about:
Purpose of the strata housing website
Limits of the site (disclaimer)
The Standard Bylaws can be changed
Government's role
Democratic decisions
Support for strata owners and residents
Updating strata legislation
History of the Strata Property Act

Purpose of the strata housing website

An estimated 1.5 million people live in strata housing in B.C.. There are 34,000 strata corporations in B.C. which includes residential, commercial and mixed use ones. All strata corporations operate through elected strata councils and make democratic decisions under the Strata Property Act, regulations and the individual strata corporation's bylaws and rules. Strata councils may be assisted by a strata property manager.

This website provides basic information concerning certain parts of the Strata Property Act and regulations. It is intended as a helpful starting point for strata owners, residents, and strata council members.

The Strata Property Act, Regulations, and the strata corporation's bylaws and rules specify in detail the requirements for governance, finances, voting, meetings and enforcement of bylaws and collection of strata fees (usually monthly) and special levies to fund strata corporations, including operations, repair and maintenance.

Limits of the website (disclaimer)

It is important that users do not rely on the strata housing website as a substitute for getting legal advice.

• The information on this website is not intended as a legal interpretation of the Strata Property Act or regulations, and does not include information about court cases or how the courts have interpreted provisions of the Strata Property Act, regulations, and a strata corporation's bylaws and rules.   

If the information on this website conflicts with the Strata Property Act, regulations or Standard Bylaws please email Housing Policy Branch with the details and references and it will be corrected. A screen shot and the link to the page is very helpful for quick corrections.

The content on this strata housing website is periodically updated and revised to clarify information and reflect legislative changes as per the date noted at the bottom of each webpage. Users are responsible for their use of the content on this website. 

This site also provides numerous links and references to other resources related to strata housing for users' convenience but this does not imply endorsement from the Province.

The Standard Bylaws can be changed

This website also contains references to the Standard Bylaws. The Standard Bylaws are the “default” bylaws for a strata corporation. However bylaws (including the Standard Bylaws) can be amended (changed) or repealed (deleted) and new bylaws can be enacted (created) by the Owner Developer, the strata corporation or a section as the case may be. Users cannot assume that the Standard Bylaws automatically apply to their strata corporation or section; learn more in Bylaws and rules explained.

Government's role

The provincial government provides the legislative framework for strata corporations, strata owners and strata residents. The provincial government is responsible for creating and updating the Strata Property Act, the Regulations, the Standard Bylaws and forms such as the "Form B: Information Certificate" and the "Form F: Certificate of Payment".

The provincial government does not provide legal advice but there are several options to obtain legal advice.

Strata disputes that are not resolved within the strata corporation may be referred to the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT), arbitration or court. Learn more about options for resolving disputes within strata corporations.

Democratic decisions

The approximately 34,000 strata corporations in B.C. operate under elected strata councils and make democratic decisions under the provincial Strata Property Act, regulations and the strata corporation's bylaws and rules.

The same governance framework, and legal obligations, apply to all stratas, from simple duplexes with only two strata lots to much more complex developments. Like other Canadian provinces, strata corporations are self-governing. 

Support for strata owners and residents

Support for strata councils and residents includes:

• Strata property managers: strata corporations may also employ the assistance of a licensed strata property manager and other staff and contractors.   
• Province's strata housing website: the provincial government provides basic information and links to additional resources on this website.
• Subscribing for updates: people can subscribe for occasional emailed updates on changes to strata legislation and the Province's strata housing website.  
• Strata homeowner associations: there are also strata associations that offer services to members including workshops, educational materials and consulting. Information is also freely available on their websites.
• The Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT): strata disputes that are not resolved within the strata corporation may be referred to the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT), arbitration or court. The Civil Resolution Tribunal is an online dispute resolution mechanism for most strata disputes. Learn more about options for resolving disputes within strata corporations.

Updating strata legislation

The Government of British Columbia regularly updates strata legislation.

• Strata legislation changes since 2011 are listed on the strata legislation changes webpage.
• People may also subscribe for occasional emailed updates on strata legislation and changes to the Province's strata housing website.

In 2019, with support from the Province, the BC Law Institute (BCLI) finished a five year review of the Strata Property Act and regulations with many opportunities for public review and comment. 

Suggestions and concerns with respect to strata legislation can also be made to Housing Policy Branch, Ministry of Housing.

History of the Strata Property Act

The B.C. Legislature enacted the Strata Titles Act in 1969. A second Strata Titles Act replaced the first in 1974. The name of the legislation has changed several times over the years. It was changed to the Condominium Act in 1979.  In 2000, the Strata Property Act replaced the Condominium Act. 

The Ministry of Finance had responsibility for strata legislation until July 2009 when responsibility for strata legislation was transferred to the Housing Policy Branch in the Office of Housing and Construction Standards. The Housing Policy branch has been with several ministries and as of December 2022 is now part of the Ministry of Housing.

Find it fast one clickable page with all the strata housing pages.

Subscribe for occasional emailed updates to strata legislation and the Province's strata housing website.

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. The content on this website is periodically reviewed and updated by the Province of British Columbia as per the date noted on each page: May 30, 2023.