Dear Condo Smarts: For the first time I have just agreed to be elected to our strata council, and to my surprise was elected as president. After one month of constant harassment and abuse from two owners, I now know why.
These two owners are constantly calling, e-mailing, faxing and sending notes. They are demanding to know at all times what is going on in the strata and immediately want copies of all the strata business. Now no one wants to stay on council and everyone is ready to resign.
Are there some secrets to surviving council ?
David J.
Dear David: Think of your strata council as an elected body in much the same manner as you elect a city council, except strata councils are generally volunteers in a simplified political system.
Managing how you conduct business and communicate with your owners is often more time-consuming than the day to day affairs of your strata, but that's the key. This is the business of the strata, so conduct it as a business.
Property managers also experience the same time-consuming frustration with aggressive, demanding individuals. The Act and bylaws give you some direction though. If a person wants access to information, they make the same written request like all owners. The strata must provide copies of those documents, if required by the Act, within 14 days of the request, and the strata may charge up to 25 cents per page per copy.
If they want a hearing with council, as prescribed by your bylaws, they should formally request a hearing process with council.
Perhaps the history of your strata has created these problems, so it might be time to amend your bylaws to include very specific procedures that address contacting council, hearings and distribution of council minutes.
As owners, they have the right to access the information. They do not have the right to abuse your generosity in volunteering for their benefit.
- Tony Gioventu is executive director of the Condominium Home Owners Association. Send questions to him c/o New Homes section, Times Colonist, 2126 Douglas St., Victoria, B.C. V8T 4M2 or by e-mail at [email protected].