On March 24 and March 27,
council met with owners and property managers to discuss recurring issues
within the complex and to brainstorm ideas to solve said issues. Approximately
20 owners and property managers attended and contributed to the discussions. As
both meetings covered much of the same information, consider this newsletter as
the equivalent of minutes for the combined meetings.
Several units have been
identified as selling, and/or making, drugs. The owners of these units have
been contacted individually and if the problem is not alleviated within a
reasonable timeframe, then the Strata will take steps to have the tenants
evicted. Any occupant who suspects a unit of illicit activity (drugs,
prostitution, etc.) is urged to put their concerns in writing and given to the
office, as well as contact the RCMP.
Some of the biggest issues
and possible solutions voiced at the meetings were:
- Litter – The grounds are constantly covered in garbage. No one is taking pride in their homes.
- Council will look into having more garbage cans placed throughout the complex, including in playgrounds and all common areas.
- Noise after 9pm
- Reminder to all occupants of the noise bylaws
- Signage in playgrounds closing them from 9pm – 8am
- Sewer backups – reminder to all that the strata
will not pay for individual unit’s pipes to be cleared if the blockage is
only in one unit, and if the blockage can be proved to have come from a
specific unit, that unit will be charged the maintenance fees associated
with the clearing.
Insurance costs associated with clogged pipes are astronomical. If we do not get this issue under control, there will be a special assessment done to cover it. - Reminders that plumbing is old and extremely costly to upgrade
- Maintenance already checks the manhole covers daily and more often in times of high water flow (high rainfall or fast snowmelt)
- Repeated notices to remind tenants to keep ALL pipes clear of anything except moderate amounts of toilet paper – NO feminine hygiene, diapers, wipes, foods, or plastics at all!
- Tenants moving from one unit to another after eviction, sometimes using false names
- Strata to supply owners with a legal procedure list for evictions and references
- Benefits of having tenants sign a lease vs month-to-month rentals have previously been discussed – call Anneliese Paasch for more info 250-961-7414 or email annelepa@telus.net.
- Requesting renters sign a release form for their name to be recorded as a good or bad tenant at Strata office to form a referral list
- Owners who are managing their own units are encouraged to contact the RCMP and request “file numbers for cause or evidence” which may be accessed before renting to new tenants or to check existing ones. There are also websites you can check for infractions
i. Courts.ca
(government)
ii. Justice.gov.bc.ca
(government)
iii. Facebook is also
an excellent resource to check your prospective tenants.
- Unlicensed Property Managers – unfortunately, too many unlicensed managers are not well trained in the responsibilities and requirements of property management.
- In the province of BC, all property managers required to be fully licensed by law. Strata will be changing bylaws to better enforce this mandate.
- Abandoned, Off Leash and/or Neglected Pets
- Fines for owners who do no leash their pets
- Reminder to property managers to register all pets with the strata
- Call animal control to have animals removed
- Parking
- Repaint/Replace signage and lines regarding parking spaces. ALL units get ONE parking space only, and visitor spots are first come, first served. Vehicles parked in visitor stalls must be moved every 48 hours. All fire lanes are absolutely no parking anytime, not even for “a minute.”
- Public use of laneways
- We acknowledge the problem, but putting gates on all of the lanes creates a fire escape hazard. Further ideas are welcomed for discussion.
Siding was informally
discussed at both meetings, but will be reported on in detail in another
publication, as there was only a small representation of owners present.
Council feels that these
brainstorming meetings were successful and hope to organize similar informal
meetings in the future.