BC's Strata Crisis: Realtors Demand Overhaul of Outdated Property Law

VANCOUVER, BC – February 09, 2026 – Two of British Columbia's leading real estate organizations have issued a stark warning to the provincial government: the foundational law governing strata properties is broken, and it’s failing the more than 1.5 million people who call a strata home. The Association of Interior REALTORS® (AOIR) and the BC Real Estate Association (BCREA) are jointly calling for a full, comprehensive legislative review of the Strata Property Act, a piece of legislation they argue is dangerously out of step with the modern housing market.

In a joint letter delivered to the BC Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs, the associations contend that the Act, which has not seen a comprehensive review since its inception over a quarter-century ago, is buckling under the pressure of a rapidly evolving real estate landscape. They are urging for systemic reform before the government proceeds with any further piecemeal regulations, highlighting a system plagued by document delays, opaque fees, and a growing number of governance failures.

The Cracks in the Foundation

At the heart of the issue is a law drafted before the widespread adoption of digital technology and the dramatic rise of strata living as a primary form of affordable housing. Today, strata properties are a cornerstone of BC's housing supply, yet the rules governing them remain stuck in the past. This disconnect is creating significant friction for homebuyers, sellers, and the volunteer strata councils tasked with managing what are often multi-million dollar residential corporations.

Prospective buyers frequently face an administrative gauntlet when trying to obtain crucial documents like the Form B information certificate, which details a strata's financial health, potential assessments, and legal issues. The press release highlights that issues with obtaining these documents—including disputes on cost, long wait times, and incomplete packages—have become increasingly normal.

"Meaningful reform must begin with a full review of the Strata Property Act," said Seth Scott, AOIR Director of Government Relations and Communications. "REALTORS® work with strata corporations and documents every day, and modernizing the legislation is essential to ensuring buyers are able to continue having accurate, reliable, and accessible information."

The consequences of this outdated framework extend beyond frustrating real estate transactions. BC's Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) is frequently tasked with settling disputes that stem from preventable governance failures, from uneven bylaw enforcement and deferred maintenance to the misuse of insurance funds. These issues often culminate in unexpected and costly special levies, placing immense financial strain on homeowners.

A System Under Pressure

While the provincial government has introduced several amendments to the Act in recent years—addressing issues like electric vehicle charging, rental restrictions, and contingency reserve fund contributions—industry experts argue these are patchwork fixes on a crumbling foundation. The core problem, they say, is that the Act’s one-size-fits-all governance model is ill-suited for the diversity of strata corporations, which range from two-unit duplexes to massive high-rise towers.

The urgency for a full review is compounded by other recent government legislation. The Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, passed in late 2023, is projected to create over 32,000 new small-scale strata corporations within the next decade. This influx could potentially double the number of stratas in BC, placing an unprecedented strain on a system already showing signs of collapse, particularly for smaller stratas that find the current legal requirements impractical and burdensome.

This rapid expansion threatens to amplify existing problems, including the operational bottlenecks that plague the buying and selling process. "The legislation requires significant updates to ensure that document delivery timelines are manageable, and that rush fees are fair and transparent across the province," added Scott, pointing to the need for a system that reflects the speed and digital nature of modern commerce.

A Blueprint for Reform and Education

In their call to action, AOIR and BCREA have put forward a clear, two-pronged solution: a complete legislative review coupled with a robust educational program for strata council members. Their joint letter outlines six key policy recommendations, targeting specific pain points such as Form B costs, delivery timelines, and the need for mandatory education.

Central to their proposal is the creation of a 'Mandatory Strata Training Program,' a detailed initiative designed by BCREA to professionalize the often-overwhelming role of a volunteer strata council member. Modeled on a successful director training program in Ontario but tailored for BC, the proposal aims to empower council members to make informed financial decisions, maintain buildings proactively, and resolve disputes with fairness and consistency.

"Civil Rights Tribunal decisions in BC repeatedly surface preventable governance failures with uneven bylaw enforcement, deferred maintenance, and misuse of insurance," said Jasroop Gosal, BCREA Government Relations Manager. "It's time to fix this with mandatory, no‑cost, multilingual strata council training that sets clear competencies and publicly registers certified council members."

Gosal emphasized that this evidence-based approach, backed by continuing education and government oversight, is crucial for stabilizing reserve fund planning and, ultimately, rebuilding trust in strata governance. The goal is to move from a reactive, crisis-driven model to one of proactive management, leading to safer, better-maintained properties and a more harmonious living environment for the millions of British Columbians who have invested their life savings into strata living.