Legal Resources

Find websites and materials written in plain language.

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Legal FAQ Sheets: 2021 BC Flood & Extreme Weather

Access Pro Bono
These FAQ sheets answer frequently asked questions related to issues faced by people affected by weather emergencies in BC (wildfires, flooding, and landslides). They are organized into these areas of law: employment law, family law, insurance law, landlord-tenant law, and strata (condo) law.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Find a Housing Co-operative

Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC)
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.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo features a red chevron shape resembling a rooftop above the acronym "CMHC" and its French equivalent "SCHL," with a small maple leaf in between the two acronyms.

Co-operative Housing Guide

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
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.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Cooperative Associations

Government of British Columbia
Co-operatives (co-ops) offer a range of supports like housing, food, or health care. They are owned and operated by the people who use these essential products or services. Provides information on how to start, maintain, and dissolve a co-op.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Dial-a-Law: Co-operative Housing: Members’ Rights & Duties

People’s Law School
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.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Solution Explorer: Societies and Cooperative Associations

Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT)
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.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Changes to Strata Legislation

Government of British Columbia
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.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Buying a Home in BC

People’s Law School
This publication is for those who want to buy a home in British Columbia. It goes through the steps of the process, from making an offer to closing the deal. It also explains the common legal documents involved — in language you can understand. The information is current to November 2019.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with six rectangles and a circle in six bright colours to represent people, and "People's Law School."

Dial-a-Law: Buying a Condominium

People’s Law School
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.
Last reviewed March 2024