One of the things that can sometimes cause confusion in strata living is understanding who actually makes the decisions. This becomes especially important when conflict escalates or an owner disagrees with a decision. Maybe you’ve received a fine. Maybe a vendor didn’t do a satisfactory job. Maybe there’s an outstanding levy or fee. Or perhaps a decision has been made that affects you personally and you don’t agree with it.
These can understandably be stressful and frustrating situations for strata owners. And very often, the person delivering the message is your strata manager. So, naturally, it can feel like the strata manager is the person making the decision.
But that’s a myth.
Your Strata Manager Is Not Your Strata Council
A strata manager acts as an agent for the strata corporation. We work closely with strata councils, provide practical guidance, share our experience, help councils understand their responsibilities, and support them in carrying out their decisions. But the strata manager is not the strata council.
The council is responsible for making many of the decisions involved in running the strata, within the authority provided by the Strata Property Act, regulations, bylaws and decisions made by the strata corporation.
Your strata manager is there to help the council navigate that responsibility. At Fort Park, we see our role as providing practical advice and experience so council members have the information they need to make thoughtful decisions for their strata community.
Sometimes the Best Decision Isn’t the Most Popular One
This is where strata living can become challenging. A decision that is in the best interest of the building or strata corporation may not always be the decision an individual owner would prefer.
As strata managers, our first responsibility is to properly serve the strata corporation we represent. That includes helping councils manage the building responsibly, follow applicable rules and regulations, plan for its long-term needs and protect its value. The goal is also to help improve the strata living experience for everyone who calls the building home.
That means decisions shouldn’t simply be based on someone’s personal opinion or wishes. Council has to consider the bylaws, applicable legislation, the circumstances involved and the interests of the strata corporation as a whole.
So What Does a Strata Manager Actually Do?
Think of your strata manager as an advisor, guide and agent. We bring experience from working with strata communities and dealing with the practical situations that arise every day. We can explain options, provide recommendations, coordinate next steps and help the council understand the processes and requirements involved. In other words, we help give the council the information and practical guidance it needs to make better-informed decisions. But ultimately, the council makes the decisions within its authority.
So, if you receive a message from your strata manager about a council decision you disagree with, remember: the person delivering the message isn’t necessarily the person who made the decision.
Don’t Agree With Your Council? Join the Conversation.
If you repeatedly disagree with the direction or decisions of your strata council, there is another option we often encourage owners to consider: Join council.
Putting your name forward at your next AGM gives you an opportunity to become part of the ongoing conversation.
Instead of participating primarily through annual meetings or responding to decisions after they’ve been made, serving on council allows you to work alongside your fellow council members, better understand the issues facing your building and contribute directly to the decisions being considered.
Because one of the best ways to impact the conversation is to be part of it.
At Fort Park, we’re here to provide councils with practical guidance, experience and support so they can make informed decisions — with the long-term interests of their strata community and building in mind.
Contact our team if you need help managing your strata in BC.