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Watch part 7 of 16 of our video series on Maintenance Planning for Strata Corporations by FirstService Residential.

Watch part 4 of 16 of our video series on Maintenance Planning for Strata Corporations by FirstService Residential.

Safety is everyone’s business. But it is of particular importance to strata management companies and council members. A secure strata means a happier and safer community, and that is what is most important to owners and residents.

Leveraging its expertise in Strata management, FirstService Residential hosted a seminar for Strata Council Members on the topic of Budgeting for Stratas on April 29, 2014. The event featured a panel discussion with FirstService Residential industry experts Gerry McRobert, Regional Director and Sean Ingraham, Director of Business Development.

Strata management leader FirstService Residential hosted a seminar for Strata Council Members on Energy Saving Solutions on May 6, 2014. The event featured a panel discussion with guest speakers Jeff Chiu (Community Network Manager, BC Hydro), Wes Nienaber (Key Account Manager for Condominiums, FortisBC), Colton Aston (Program Manager, FortisBC), and Danna Maclean (Power Pros Electrical).

As the Strata management leader, FirstService Residential hosted a seminar for Strata Council Members on the topic of Strata Insurance The event featured a panel discussion with guest speakers Paul Duchaine (Vice President of Claims, Real Estate Division of BFL Canada) and Jamie Bleay (Lawyer, Access Law Group)

Summer finally here, and its time to hit the road! Many families will be going to beaches, the mountains, on cruises, and more. Here are some simple tips to help ensure your home remains safe and well maintained while you are off enjoying the summer sun.

In this 2025 guide, we’ll break down what BC depreciation reports are, what their purpose is, costs, and update requirements.

For a Strata resident, the lifestyle experience doesn’t begin when they step into your unit. It begins when they set foot in the main entrance – and are greeted by the front desk representative. For guests, the front desk representative sets the tone for their entire perception of the Strata property. For residents, the front desk representative is a touchstone throughout their day, every day. It’s an important role to fill.

Safeguarding a strata corporation’s operating and reserve funds is one of the main fiduciary duties of all board members, not just the treasurer. This means strata councils must protect the financial interests of the strata corporation and its members.

Conflicts between smokers and non-smokers are on the rise. Here’s how to prevent a full-blown inferno.

Your strata council is working on next year’s budget. You know how important the budget is, what it means to the future of your strata. You know that your fiduciary responsibility is the most important commitment you make to your fellow homeowners. And you’ve planned , and figured, and followed all the budgeting steps , but you’re still staring at the one thing NO strata council wants to do: an increase in strata fees. Before finalizing that increase, take a long, hard look at cost containment strategies that can save your strata money and help optimize your operating budget.

It’s budget season! Are you stressed? The word ‘budget’ can be scary, so thinking about creating next year’s budget is daunting for many strata corporations. We’d like to change that.

Dive into what it takes to create a strategic plan.

As a homeowner, you want to live in a place that accentuates your style – from a beautiful sense of arrival or exquisitely decorated building lobby, complete with freshly pruned trees and lush landscaping – but unless your strata council has strategically planned out your strata’s budget, you can forget all of that.

On January 21, 2016, the Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI) hosted a seminar in Burnaby, British Columbia on the topic of the Powers and Duties of a Strata Corporation & the Role of the Strata Council . Download the PowerPoint inside.

Did you know that only 40 percent (estimated) of BC homeowners have personal insurance? This figure is even lower for tenants. Whether living in the unit or as an investor, unit owners should always make sure their personal assets and liabilities are adequately protected by their own personal insurance policy.

With more and more people offering their homes for short-term vacation rentals, what can strata councils do about it? Let our experienced strata property management team explain.

All Strata Corporations are different from one another as they are comprised of a unique group of Council Members with different backgrounds. Just as Strata Corporations differ, so do the special committees that fall under the Strata. You can have as many different types of experiences with committees as there are kinds of committees themselves.

The relationship between a strata corporation and its property management company is similar to most relationships in your life: its success hinges on effective communication.

It takes a lot to build a great community. You need committed residents, a dedicated strata council, and a clear understanding of everybody's roles and responsibilities.

Here is a helpful infographic on how to prepare your home for time away this summer. Here are some simple tips to safeguard your home and property, and to reduce energy bills while you are off enjoying your vacation.

So, your council has been self-managing your strata, and now you’re ready to hire a strata management company. Good decision! At first, you feel relief and then... panic sets in. This is a big decision. How do you go about finding a reputable company that will dedicate itself to ensuring the safety and happiness of you and your neighbours? How do you know you’re making the right choice?