Stratas & housing co-ops
If you live in strata housing or a housing co-op or are thinking of moving into one, there are specific challenges and duties to think about. These include budget decisions and handling any disputes that come up.
Explore the links below to reliable online guides and tools and to organizations in BC. They have been chosen by librarians at Courthouse Libraries BC.
Selected resources
Click on a topic to see a list of resources.
Dial-a-Law: Buying a Condominium
Buying a condominium is a lot like buying a house. But there are also important differences. Learn the key things to consider before making an offer to buy a condo.
Strata Owners
Strata owners can use this resource to learn more about their legal roles and responsibilities.
Changes to Strata Legislation
Strata legislation is regularly updated. This page summarizes changes to the legislation since 2011, including being able to cancel the strata plan with an 80% vote of all owners.
Find a Housing Co-operative
Search for co-op housing in BC by location, number of rooms, whether they're accepting applications, whether pets are okay, and so on. You can add your favourite co-ops to a shortlist that is emailed to you.
Co-operative Housing Guide
Provides an overview of what housing cooperatives are, how they’re governed, and rights and responsibilities of members of a co-op. Also includes information on the legislation for co-ops, forming and running one, an overview of small claims court, and provincial and territorial fact sheets.
Dial-a-Law: Co-operative Housing: Members’ Rights & Duties
Explains co-op housing, the law and rules that apply, how co-ops are governed, the rights and duties of co-op members, if members have a dispute, ending a person’s membership, if a person disagrees with a decision to end the membership, and leaving the co-op and recovering unpaid housing charges.
Resolving Strata Disputes
Learn about how strata disputes can be resolved: within the strata corporation, through arbitration, or by going to court. Learn also about the Civil Resolution Tribunal, the first-ever online tribunal for strata disputes in Canada.
Solution Explorer: Societies and Cooperative Associations
This tool helps people manage and resolve disputes about BC societies that are incorporated with the BC Corporate Registry, and housing and community service co-ops. If you can’t resolve your dispute using this tool, it will lead you to the CRT’s online application form.
LSLAP Manual: Strata Law
This chapter is from the manual used by law students handling cases at LSLAP’s legal clinics. It provides an overview of the current state of strata property law in BC, including details on a strata development, governance of a strata corporation, and common issues.