Maintaining strata buildings and assets
Every strata owner and council member should understand the benefits of a comprehensive renewals program, including what work is required, when it should happen, and how the strata could pay for it. Ask questions, know when to seek experts, and use your depreciation report to help you develop a long-term plan. Learn more about depreciation reports.
- Maintenance Matters 15: The Impact of Delayed Maintenance and Renewals on Buildings
- Guide: Managing Renewals Projects in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
- Seminar slides (RDH, 2019): From Depreciation Report to Renewal – Six Steps to Successful Renewals
- Seminar slides (RDH, 2019): Do Frugal Stratas Waste Money?
- Seminar slides (RDH, 2019): Older Strata’s Advice to Younger Stratas
- Seminar slides (RDH, 2019): Essential Asset Management Tools
- Seminar slides (Lesperance Mendes Lawyers, 2017): Managing Major Repairs
- Seminar slides (Unity Services, 2015): Strata Maintenance and Procurement – A Directed Approach
Balconies, roofs, and building envelope
The building envelope includes components such as roofs, walls, balconies, windows, and doors. It’s important to be proactive rather than reactive in the maintenance and care of buildings. Proactively maintaining buildings will extend its service life, result in lower long-term costs, potentially reduce the number of special levies needed, maintain property values, reduce the frequency of insurance claims, and minimize disruptions to residents.
- Maintenance Matters 1: Paints, Stains, and Coatings
- Maintenance Matters 2: Maintaining Your Roof
- Maintenance Matters 3: Avoiding Condensation Problems
- Maintenance Matters 5: Sealants
- Maintenance Matters 6: Decks and Balconies
- Maintenance Matters 7: Building Envelope Maintenance and Renewals Planning
- Maintenance Matters 8: Cladding
- Maintenance Matters 9: Exposed Wood Structures
- Maintenance Matters 10: At-Grade and Below-Grade Assemblies
- Maintenance Matters 11: Creating and Implementing a Building Envelope Maintenance and Renewals Program
- Maintenance Matters 17: Replacing Podium Waterproofing
- Maintenance Matters 22: Balcony Overloading and Weight Restrictions
Energy efficiency
Learn about the requirement to obtain an electrical planning report. Get tips on reducing the energy consumption in multi-unit residential buildings including solar panels (solar photovoltaic (PV) systems), upgrading to LED lighting, and more extensive energy-savings projects like building enclosure improvements.
- Video: Electrical Planning Reports for BC Strata Corporations
- Video: Electrical Planning Reports – A Guide for Professionals Working with BC Strata Corporations
- Maintenance Matters 23: Electrical Planning for Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
- Maintenance Matters 12: Reducing Energy Use in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
- Consumer Guide: Solar Photovoltaic Systems for Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
- Consumer Guide: Energy Efficient Lighting Technologies for Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
- Seminar slides (2016): Vancouver Island’s First Solar Strata Part 1 / Part 2
- Seminar slides (2016): LED Lighting Retrofits for Stratas
- UBC – RDH Building Science Report (2020): Designing Climate Resilient Multifamily Buildings
- UBC – RDH Building Science Report (2021): Future Climate Design for Multifamily Buildings
Hazardous materials and asbestos
As of January 1, 2024, asbestos abatement contractors must be licensed to operate in BC. Was your building constructed before 1990? Do you or your strata council know whether the building materials contain asbestos? In the video below Ted Letourneau, BSc., ROH, a Senior Occupational Hygienist at Island EHS, explains what every strata owner and council member should know about asbestos.
- Video: Renovations in Stratas – What You Need to Know About Asbestos (slides available to members)
- WorkSafeBC find a licensed contractor in the Asbestos Abatement Licence Registry
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
Learn about operating and maintaining air handling units (MUAs), guidelines to help ensure heat recovery ventilator (HRV) based systems operate as intended, the basics of maintaining ducts to avoid interior damage from condensation build-up, and more.
- Maintenance Matters 14: Avoiding Exhaust Duct Problems
- Maintenance Matters 16: Maintaining Your Heat Recovery Ventilation System
- Maintenance Matters 19: Make-Up Air Units and Corridor Pressurization
- Video: Cooling Systems for Strata Owners – Heat Pumps & Other Cooling Options for BC Condos & Townhouses (slides available to members)
- BC Housing: Detailing Guide for Heat Pump Penetrations in Existing Buildings
Water systems and water leaks
Identify the water systems in your building, what maintenance is required, and how to reduce water leaks and minimize damage.
- Maintenance Matters 20: Managing Internal Water Systems
- Maintenance Matters 21: Preventing Water Leaks in Your Home
Windows and doors
Aging appearance, rising energy costs, drafts, condensation, and comfort issues are all reasons to maintain windows and doors.
- Maintenance Matters 4: Residential Windows and Exterior Doors (maintenance)
- Maintenance Matters 13: Window and Door Replacement
- Maintenance Matters 18: Repairing and Replacing Window Wall Systems
- Video: How New Windows Can Save Money and Lives in Stratas (slides available to members)
Member-only Resources
Log in to your account to access the following resources. *Indicates a resource for corporate members only.
- Renovations in stratas – What you need to know about asbestos (slides)
- Cooling systems for strata owners – Heat pumps & other cooling options for BC condos & townhouses (slides)
- How new windows can save money and lives in stratas (slides)
- Strata alterations – Everything you ever wanted to know (28-page article by Shawn M. Smith, Cleveland Doan LLP)
- Indemnity Agreement for strata lot and common property alterations
- Coming soon: Maintenance check list for strata corporations*
