Strata council 101: Positions, duties, and more

What is a strata council?

A strata council is a group of owners elected to manage the day-to-day business of a strata corporation in British Columbia. The council speaks and acts on behalf of all owners, handling operations, finances, and maintenance of common property. Under the Strata Property Act, the strata council is responsible for carrying out the duties of the corporation between annual general meetings. Council members are generally owners who volunteer their time and are elected by other owners at a general meeting. Typical strata council sizes range from three to seven members, depending on the strata bylaws, though larger strata corporations sometimes elect more.

A strata council acts collectively rather than individually. This means no single council member has authority outside of properly convened meetings. The group operates under the strata corporation’s bylaws, rules, and the provincial statute, with the goal of keeping the property well maintained and the community running smoothly.

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or real estate advice. Laws change frequently and vary by province. Readers should consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to their individual circumstances.
 

Duties of a strata council

The main duties of a strata council are defined in the Strata Property Act and the corporation’s bylaws. These include:

• Managing and maintaining common property and common assets.
   
• Enforcing bylaws and rules adopted by the strata corporation.
   
• Preparing and approving the annual budget for the community.
   
• Collecting strata fees and special levies from owners.
   
• Keeping accurate records of minutes, correspondence, and finances.
   
• Effectively communicating with owners.
   
• Contracting for repairs, maintenance, and professional services as needed.
   
• Calling and organizing general meetings for owners, including annual and special meetings.
   
• Working with the strata manager and professional advisors such as accountants, engineers, and legal counsel.

Every decision a strata council makes should align with the corporation’s governing documents and the Act. Regular communication, consistent processes, and organized documentation make it easier to handle these responsibilities effectively.
 

Strata council positions and duties

President

The council president is responsible for the successful operation of the community. They set the agenda, chair the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and council meetings, maintain order, and keep the discussion on topic. The president is responsible for the daily execution of the corporation's business and is the primary council contact for the strata manager.

The person that takes on the role of president needs to be a strong communicator that is not afraid to delegate tasks and mediate when disagreements among other council members may arise. The president will be working closely with various people and different personalities, so they need to be a team player who has good leadership skills and is also approachable, fair, and open.
 

Vice president

The vice president supports the president and steps in when the president is unavailable. Depending on the council’s size and structure, the vice president may also take on specific oversight roles, such as managing strata committees. In some communities, the vice president works closely with the strata manager to prepare meeting materials or review correspondence before it’s circulated to owners.

Because they can be working on multiple projects at any given time, the person that serves as vice president of the strata council needs to be organized and comfortable with being flexible. Being a good multitasker would also be an asset.
 

Secretary

The secretary manages official records, correspondence, and meeting minutes for the strata council. They also see that owners receive notices for general meetings, budgets, and elections. In practice, this role helps keep the administrative side of the council running efficiently. When working with a professional management company, the secretary often reviews and confirms that documents prepared by the strata manager are accurate before they’re distributed. Once approved, the management company makes them available to those who need them for real estate transactions, mortgages, insurance, and legal purposes.
 

Treasurer

The financial health of a strata corporation is important to all owners. No one wants to see the monthly contributions increase due to mismanagement of the funds. The treasurer is the council member most involved with preparing the budget draft, which is reviewed, adjusted, and approved by the strata council. Then it is the treasurer who closely monitors the monthly financial reports provided by the management company and confirms that the expenditures align with the budgeted amounts. Realistic budgets and fiscal management are imperative.

The person who takes on the treasurer role needs to be detail-oriented and organized. An interest in finance or even some experience with financials would be a nice bonus, but it is not a requirement.
 

Strata manager

Contracting a reputable, experienced management company dramatically reduces the strata council's workload. The strata manager is the council's link to the management company. They attend council meetings and act as a resource to the council as they set rules, determine maintenance requirements, and manage the common property in compliance with the bylaws. The strata manager implements the decisions of the strata council, supported by an administrative team that includes an administrator, accountant, and full-service office.

There are several things you should consider when hiring a strata manager. Most importantly, you need to understand your community's needs so that you can clearly articulate them to the strata manager. A council and strata manager who share common goals and agree with the community's needs will foster the right kind of relationship to get things done successfully.
 

How FirstService Residential supports strata councils in BC

At FirstService Residential, we partner with strata councils across British Columbia to simplify management and improve how communities operate. Our local team handles the details — organizing meetings, preparing minutes, managing budgets, coordinating maintenance, and keeping owners informed — so council members can focus on leadership and decision-making.

With smaller manager portfolios and support from in-house experts in accounting, building maintenance, and insurance, we deliver guidance backed by depth of experience. Whether your strata is a high-rise, townhome, or mixed-use property, we tailor our services to meet your community’s needs. Contact FirstService Residential today to learn how we can help your strata council succeed.