Strata GovernanceJuly 9, 2026 · 7 min read

Your Rights as a Strata Owner in BC

As a BC strata owner you have real, enforceable rights — to vote, to records, to a hearing, to rent out your unit, and to fair treatment. Here's the plain-English list.

As a strata owner in BC, you have real, enforceable rights under the Strata Property Act — including the right to vote, to see the strata's records, to request a hearing, to help call a special general meeting, to rent out your unit, and to be treated fairly. Here's the plain-English rundown of what you're entitled to.

The right to vote and be heard

You are entitled to notice of every general meeting, and to attend and vote. Most decisions pass by majority vote of those present in person or by proxy; bigger decisions need a 3/4 vote, and a few need a unanimous vote. You can also nominate items and speak to them.

One caveat: your bylaws may suspend the right to vote (except on unanimous-vote matters) while you're in arrears on strata fees or fines. Stay in good standing and your vote is protected.

The right to stand for and serve on council

Any eligible owner can run for council. Council members are elected by the owners at the AGM, and you don't need special qualifications — just a willingness to serve. If you want a say in how your building is run, this is the most direct route.

The right to see the strata's records

The strata must keep a defined set of records (section 35) and make them available to you on request (section 36) — generally within two weeks. These include:

Minutes of council and general meetings, including the results of votes
The bylaws and rules
Budgets and financial statements
Contracts the strata has entered into
Correspondence sent or received by the strata and council
The depreciation report and any engineering or building reports

A strata can charge a small copying fee, but it can't simply refuse. Records are your window into how decisions and money are being handled.

The right to request a Form B or Form F

When you're selling, refinancing, or just want a snapshot of the strata's finances and rules, you can request an Information Certificate (Form B) — it must be provided within one week and includes strata fees, the amount in the contingency reserve fund, any special levies, and current bylaws and rules. A Certificate of Payment (Form F) confirms you owe the strata nothing that would let it file a lien, and is typically needed to complete a sale.

The right to request a hearing

Under section 34.1, you can demand a hearing before council. Put it in writing, and council must hold the hearing within four weeks. If you're seeking a decision, council must give it to you in writing within one week of the hearing. This is a powerful tool when you feel you're being ignored.

The right to help call a special general meeting

If owners holding at least 20% of the votes sign a written demand (section 43), the strata must hold a special general meeting within four weeks. This lets owners force a vote on issues council won't take up — including replacing council members.

The right to due process before you're fined

A strata can't just mail you a fine. Section 135 requires that, before imposing a fine or penalty, council must give you written particulars of the complaint, a reasonable chance to respond, and a hearing if you ask for one. Skip these steps and the fine is generally invalid. You're also entitled to consistent enforcement — the bylaws should apply to everyone, not just to you.

The right to rent out your unit (Bill 44)

Since November 2022, Bill 44 has removed strata rental-restriction bylaws across BC. A strata can no longer ban or cap long-term rentals, and old rental-restriction bylaws are no longer enforceable. Age-restriction bylaws are also gone, with one exception: a genuine 55-and-over (seniors) bylaw is still allowed.

Two things Bill 44 did not change: stratas can still regulate short-term rentals (think Airbnb) through bylaws, backed by the province's Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act, and they can still enforce reasonable bylaws about conduct, noise, and occupancy.

The right to fair treatment

If the strata or council treats you in a way that is oppressive or unfairly prejudicial, you have a remedy. The Civil Resolution Tribunal — and the Supreme Court under section 164 — can overturn decisions that are "significantly unfair" to an owner. This is the backstop when a council enforces a rule against you alone, or makes a decision that unreasonably singles you out.

Where your rights end

Ownership in a strata is shared living, so your rights come with limits:

You must follow valid bylaws and rules, and pay your strata fees and any special levies properly approved by the owners.
You must give the strata reasonable access to your unit for repairs, inspections, and emergencies.
You can't veto decisions made by the required majority just because you disagree.

The deal is straightforward: broad rights over your own lot and a real voice in the community, in exchange for playing by rules the owners set together.

Frequently asked questions

Can my strata stop me from renting out my unit in BC? No. Since Bill 44 (2022), strata rental-restriction bylaws are no longer enforceable, so a strata can't ban or cap long-term rentals. It can still regulate short-term (Airbnb-style) rentals and enforce reasonable conduct bylaws.

What records am I entitled to see as an owner? Meeting minutes, bylaws and rules, budgets and financial statements, contracts, strata correspondence, the depreciation report, and more — generally provided within two weeks of a written request. A Form B must come within one week.

What can I do if my strata treats me unfairly? Request a hearing, escalate to the CRT for an order, and — if the conduct is oppressive or unfairly prejudicial — ask the CRT or court to set aside the decision as "significantly unfair."