Dear Tony: Our 200-unit strata is searching for a new management company and one of our requests was for the companies to provide us with a proposed contract for services and fees. In every proposal except one, the companies have provided the Strata Property Agents of B.C. contract.
The contract has a number of terms and conditions that our strata council is not prepared to accept, but the companies tell us this contract cannot be changed because it is a standard industry contract. If we are not permitted to negotiate the contract, then how do we get services and conditions that are fair for our strata corporation as well as the management company?
Carter J., Vancouver
To begin with, there is no such thing as a standard industry contract for strata-management agreements in B.C. A contract was created for the strata agents of B.C., and while that contract may have some copyright value, nothing prohibits amendments being attached to the contract when a strata corporation is negotiating a new contract, or renegotiating an existing contract.
It is important for both the strata corporation and the management agent to negotiate terms and conditions that are in the interests of both parties. For strata corporations with existing strata-management agreements, every time your company wants to renegotiate a term or fee in the contract, it’s an opportunity to reopen negotiations on terms and conditions of the contract.
Everything in the contract is open to negotiation, unless real estate or strata legislation requires a specific condition. The whole basis of contracts is an exchange of services, products and money. What will you give us? What service will you provide? What terms and conditions apply to this contract? All in exchange for how much you will pay, and what authority you are delegating in the contract.
The termination and assignment of contract clauses is often the most contentious.
The Strata Property Act sets the default or worse condition scenario to terminate a strata management agreement, requiring the strata to pass a 3/4 vote at a general meeting and with 60 days’ notice.
The strata corporation may negotiate whatever it feels is prudent.
It could be a majority vote of owners at a general meeting, or a unanimous vote of council, circumstances that result in termination, or any other condition, provided both parties agree.
In the event a company sells, it also sells its book of business to the next company. Assignment-of-contract clauses are also disputed and there is no standard form.
You have the ability to determine whether your business can be transferred to another company, or the contract terminates at point of sale. Every strata corporation has the right to negotiate whatever it believes is in the best interest of its strata, which is its principal duty to the owners.
The best and often only time for negotiations is before you sign.
Remember, your council is made up of volunteers, not experienced contract negotiators. Retain an independent lawyer with experience in strata-management agreements to help your strata understand and negotiate your contracts.
No one complains when you do this right. Everyone complains when something goes wrong.
Tony Gioventu is executive director of the Condominium Home Owners Association (CHOA)
