Living in a strata

Strata living is a popular choice in British Columbia with an estimated 1.5 million strata residents. Living in strata housing has unique roles and responsibilities; it is not the same as renting an apartment or owning a home which is not part of a strata corporation.

Learn more on this page:
Strata legislation applies to all stratas
Stratas: more than condos
Stratas are self-governed
Strata bylaws and rules
Strata fees

Strata legislation applies to all stratas

Strata living requires owners and residents to follow the Strata Property Act, regulations and the strata corporation’s bylaws and rules.

This legislative framework applies to all strata corporations in British Columbia, including single family homes in bare land strata corporations ("strata subdivisions") as well as duplexes and triplexes if they are strata-titled.

Strata housing: more than  condos

Strata housing is often referred to as condos or condominiums. However, strata housing not only includes apartment-style condominiums but can also include: duplexes, townhouses, fractional vacation properties, even single family homes in bare land strata corporations (“strata subdivisions”).

There are many different kinds of strata developments including industrial, commercial, residential, bare land or a combination called mixed-use.

It is important for people who are purchasing strata housing or renting strata housing to understand the legal requirements and what that means for them.

Stratas are self -governed

Strata corporations are self-governed. The strata corporation is made up of all the strata lot owners. Strata lot owner responsibilities include approving an annual budget and electing a strata council. The strata council may be assisted by a strata property manager or the strata corporation may be self-managed.

It is up to the strata owners, residents and the strata council to ensure compliance with strata legislation, bylaws and rules and use the tools available to resolve any disputes. 

Strata corporations can also have sections which will have their own budgets and section executive and may their own bylaws and rules for matters that pertain solely to the section. For example a strata corporation may have a residential section with apartment-style condos and a commercial section with a restaurant.

Strata bylaws  and rules

A strata corporation must have bylaws and may also have rules. Strata owners, residents and visitors must follow the strata's bylaws and rules. It is important to understand the strata's bylaws and rules before moving into a strata. Learn more about strata bylaws and rules. Sections may also have bylaws for matters that pertain solely to that section.

Strata corporations can have bylaws which: restrict the age of residents to 55+, establish quiet hours, ban smoking in common areas or in all parts of the strata corporation including within strata lots (personal residences), allow certain types of pets, restrict or ban short-term rentals of residential units. Strata bylaws can even specify the type of window coverings which are allowed. 

There are often alteration bylaws which require strata lot owners to get written permission from the strata council before making changes to their strata lot, such as moving walls, changing flooring or making plumbing or electrical changes.  

Strata corporations and sections can fine strata owners and residents who don’t follow the bylaws and rules. There is a set of Standard Bylaws issued by the Province as the "default bylaws" for a strata corporation. However, a strata corporation's or section's bylaws can be set by the developer or changed (created, deleted or amended) by a 3/4 vote of the owners.

Bylaws and rules affect the strata lot owners’ rights and responsibilities and how the strata corporation operates. Bylaws are usually not the same for every strata corporation or section. It is important to understand what the bylaws and rules are for that strata corporation before buying or renting a strata lot.

Strata fees

To pay for shared common expenses such as insurance, gardening, cleaning, snow removal, repair and maintenance of common property strata owners must pay strata fees.

In addition to strata fees, sometimes owners will be required to pay special levies for matters affecting the strata corporation, including the repair and maintenance of common property and assets like replacing the roof or upgrading an elevator.

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

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

Disclaimer: the information on 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.