"Minister of HSD"

(Please copy, edit and mail)

  • [Date]
  • [Strata owner address]
  • The Honourable Rich Coleman
  • Minister of Housing and Social Development
  • Room 128
  • Parliament Buildings
  • Victoria, BC V8V 1X4

Dear Mr. Coleman,

Re: Bill 8 Leaves Strata Owners Without Key Protection

[Strata owner’s personal strata experience].

     BC strata property legislation was last given a comprehensive review in 1998. In spite of Bill 8 BC strata legislation is out of date and is not working well for people like me who must live in a strata development.

      Although Bill 8 may improve clarity and access to dispute resolution mechanisms and improve disclosure of strata information, many serious issues remain. Some of them are:

  • 1. Lack of provisions to deter or prevent strata disputes, including:
  •      a. Lack of prosecution of strata developers acting contrary to law,
  •      b. Absence of an enforceable code of ethics and conduct for strata property managers that advise and sometimes control strata councils,
  •      c. Lack of a publicly available authoritative source of legislation interpretation to enable strata corporations to operate according to law, and
  •      d. Lack of specific offences and penalties for those who refuse to act according to law.
  • 2. The backlog of existing cases in the Provincial Court that will now have the added burden of resolving strata disputes under Bill 8, and

  • 3. [This list of concerns to be amended by the strata owner.]

      The inadequacies of Bill 8 clearly reflect the government’s failure to engage in any transparent form of public consultation and its dismissal of unsolicited input from strata owners. Closed-door meetings between government officials and a selection of real estate industry insiders are “private” consultation and not “public” consultation. I am very disappointed that you have not shown sufficient respect for strata owners to involve them in the process of developing the legislation that affects them and their largest investments, their homes.

      I urge you to commence a public consultation process and a comprehensive review of strata legislation.

Sincerely,

[Strata owner name]