Strata property management services

Last updated on August 31, 2021

A strata corporation (or section) can hire a strata management company for assistance in operating the strata.

Learn more on this page:
Strata management services
Limitations of a strata manager
Sections and a strata property manager

Strata management services  

A strata property manager is a licensed professional who works for a strata management company. A strata property manager makes it easier for the strata council to operate a strata or section. The manager can handle paperwork, prepare for meetings, take minutes, hire qualified services and much more. 

Strata management companies offer a wide range of services. A strata corporation (or section) may choose to pay for a few services like record keeping or for a full range of strata management services.

Strata management services can include:

Limitations of a strata manager

Under the Strata Property Act and regulations a strata manager or strata management company cannot:

  • act as an arbitrator in an arbitration proceeding without the consent of all parties
  • keep strata corporation records beyond four weeks after the termination of the contract
  • act as a proxy holder for any voter in the strata corporation
  • hold a hearing on behalf of the strata council

Under the Standard Bylaws (which can be amended), a strata manager cannot:

  • determine if a person has contravened a bylaw or rule
  • determine if a person should be fined or determine the amount of a fine for the contravention of the bylaws or rules
  • determine if a person should be denied access to a recreational facility
  • spend strata corporation money for a specific expenditure without a strata council resolution authorizing the specific expenditure or
  • spend strata corporation money for general expenditures without a delegation of a general spending authority by a strata council resolution. The resolution must set out the maximum sums that can be spent, the purposes for which money can be spent and any conditions that have to be met before money can be spent.

Sections and strata property managers

It is important to note that a strata corporation and a section are distinct bodies and the section will have its own executive in addition to being part of the strata corporation.

A section’s interests may differ from other sections’ interests and the interests of the strata corporation. In April 2013, the Real Estate Council of BC (RECBC) issued information bulletins clarifying the responsibilities of strata management companies managing sections to acknowledge and protect these different interests. (Please note: as of August 1, 2021 RECBC is now part of the BC Financial Services Authority).


References:
Strata Property Act, sections: 4, 10, 24, 30, 32, 33, 34.1, 37-39, 135, 144, 179, 194
Strata Property Regulations: 7.2, 8.2, 18.1
Real Estate Services Act and Rules
Standard Bylaws (which can be amended): 20 and 21

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 on each page: August 31, 2021.