By Tony Gioventu, Executive Director
Condominium Home Owners' Association (CHOA)
www.choa.bc.ca
Strata Bullying is an all too frequent occurrence. A simple Google search for the term strata bullying will yield at least three pages of results, including blogs and legal advice.
There are stories of people feeling harassed in their own home, a feeling that their home isn’t their home. People live in an aggressive community where the Annual General Meeting (AGM) becomes an ‘Us versus Them’ proxy war to be given information and a voice in their own home.
Strata corporations tend to hire management firms to manage the building, “keep the peace” and uphold the BC Property Act. However, there is an overwhelming number of cases where a property manager does not abide by the Property Act and further divides a community by favouring Council members and residents who support their agendas.
To all owners of strata properties: Don’t let councils or managers get away with trivializing the legislation, your bylaws or prudent basic business principles.
It will eventually place your community and your investments at risk.
We see bullying in all forms in strata communities, often enabled by the strata councils and fuelled by the intent to control by the property manager. The grasp for power is matched by unscrupulous behavior.
So what are the solutions? Compliance with all legislation and honest disclosure to the owners of the strata business is the first step. The Strata Property Act is not a guideline.
If a strata council or manager is abusing the legislation for their control, it’s time for replacements. Strata councils and managers who don’t tell the truth will eventually spend all of your strata funds and energy on defending lies. They will make every effort to demonize owners who are trying to “out” their behavior. Character assassinations, derogatory treatment, libelous council minutes all form part of the chain of abuse. Bullying perpetuates when owners stand by. Breaking the hold certain groups of owners have on strata council, and all owners becoming involved in the strata business is the only solution. The seeds of apathy are sown every year at the AGM, when less than half of the owners ever attend to exercise their votes.
As an owner, protect your community and your investment. Participate, encourage the constant renewal of council, encourage a transparent culture, attend meetings and take an interest in your properties.
Condominium Home Owners' Association (CHOA)
www.choa.bc.ca
Strata Bullying is an all too frequent occurrence. A simple Google search for the term strata bullying will yield at least three pages of results, including blogs and legal advice.
There are stories of people feeling harassed in their own home, a feeling that their home isn’t their home. People live in an aggressive community where the Annual General Meeting (AGM) becomes an ‘Us versus Them’ proxy war to be given information and a voice in their own home.
Strata corporations tend to hire management firms to manage the building, “keep the peace” and uphold the BC Property Act. However, there is an overwhelming number of cases where a property manager does not abide by the Property Act and further divides a community by favouring Council members and residents who support their agendas.
To all owners of strata properties: Don’t let councils or managers get away with trivializing the legislation, your bylaws or prudent basic business principles.
It will eventually place your community and your investments at risk.
We see bullying in all forms in strata communities, often enabled by the strata councils and fuelled by the intent to control by the property manager. The grasp for power is matched by unscrupulous behavior.
So what are the solutions? Compliance with all legislation and honest disclosure to the owners of the strata business is the first step. The Strata Property Act is not a guideline.
If a strata council or manager is abusing the legislation for their control, it’s time for replacements. Strata councils and managers who don’t tell the truth will eventually spend all of your strata funds and energy on defending lies. They will make every effort to demonize owners who are trying to “out” their behavior. Character assassinations, derogatory treatment, libelous council minutes all form part of the chain of abuse. Bullying perpetuates when owners stand by. Breaking the hold certain groups of owners have on strata council, and all owners becoming involved in the strata business is the only solution. The seeds of apathy are sown every year at the AGM, when less than half of the owners ever attend to exercise their votes.
As an owner, protect your community and your investment. Participate, encourage the constant renewal of council, encourage a transparent culture, attend meetings and take an interest in your properties.
| Conflicts in Strata Corporations and the Bullying Dynamic.pdf |
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