Strata fines are they legal

maximus

Active member
Aug 18, 2005
290
35
28
I just wondering if anybody knows about strata laws,I smoke 420 on the balcony and I am getting a fine from strata.
 

milemiles

Well-known member
Jul 29, 2018
422
577
93
Unless something fishy is going on, anyone who lives there has agreed to abide by the strata rules. If you want to get rules changed, get yourself on the strata council. Welcome to adulthood.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lukom and finglong6

masterpoonhunter

"Marriage should be a renewable contract"
Sep 15, 2019
3,024
5,075
113
Go over your strata rules, if there is a clause about no smoking on your balcony, you are in the wrong. if not, point that out to them and ask them when the rule changed and to send you the minutes of the AGM where that happened. If you don't pay the fine strata can put a lien on your unit and collect the fine when it sells. If you are renting, your landlord gets the fine notice and no doubt will come back to you.
Went though this shit a few years back with an investment property I had. After a few notices of fucking bullshit from the strata council I sold it. AS noted, if you don't like the rules, and if you think you can work with the rest of the council, try to get on it. Thing is more often than not those on council are the self righteous so good luck.
 
  • Like
Reactions: happymoments

Forum mod

Moderator
Jan 1, 2018
2,952
14,783
113
They are completely legal and when you bought the place (or rented it from the owner) you agree to follow them.

You will need to smoke up down the street, there's a small park right next to my building that is full of pot smokers almost 24/7, nearly all from our strata, as they are very militant about smoking on the property.
 

EuroSZabina

Well-known member
May 6, 2008
859
374
63
Vancouver/Coquitlam
I'm pretty sure it's not legal to smoke anything on the patio and you have to go outside to a designated spot but shouldn't they give you a warning for first time ?
 

Ame123

Well-known member
Nov 13, 2020
401
302
63
People in my investment building smoke on there patio with no problem actually it smells better then some peoples cooking.And my brother is council chair and a lot of people get fines and don’t pay and when they sell, they still don’t pay, so a lot of fines are not enforceable . They would not let my tenants put an air conditioner in the window, but now that law has been throwing out the window.
 

Equity Market investor

New West ( energy sector)
Apr 9, 2009
1,249
572
113
I live in a strata building and the simple answer is --- There is NO official answer to this except ---- Read your buildings strata agreement. It takes 3/4 votes to determine whether a building allows it or not.

My building permits it as long as it's done on their balcony.
 

steverino

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2004
1,598
1,108
113
Read the bylaws as they have to detail the process for fines to be initiated. The process is important in terms of determining if the fine was levied appropriately and therefore legal.
 

SensualProvider

New member
Oct 7, 2013
9
7
3
How do they know it's you smoking ? do they have proof ?
A smell can come from any condo.
So unless they have a picture or ?
Then they have nothing.
 

Crookedmember

I Don't Member
Sep 2, 2017
1,530
2,045
113
Some dullard in my building back in April was smoking his 420 in the bedroom of his 15th floor suite. Fell asleep, started a fire, sprinklers went off, flooded the 15th floor down, destroyed suites, took out an elevator (still waiting for parts), made a mess for hundreds of people. Repairs will take the next two years.

So now the strata has banned smoking/vaping anywhere on the property.

Personally, I would like to see castration as well as fines.
 
  • Like
Reactions: westwoody

lukom

Bobs and Vagenes Poacher
Dec 8, 2010
2,322
1,168
113
Don't be a smart ass. Take the loss, pay the fine, learn your lesson, and move on. You can waste your time disputing it in court, which in turn will waste strata resources and money, which you won't want to happen. That money is better used towards maintaining the property, such as repairing the roof, replacing carpets, not legal fees. This is what the fees you're paying for go to.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mclovinit604

Mclovinit604

Philogynist
Sep 10, 2014
197
100
43
I don't smoke , so I don't worry about it.
The point I am making is how does strata prove it was
coming from a certain condo?
Without proof how can they fine anyone.
The complaint is often witnessed by another tenant or owner. Stratas do not take time to fine frivolously.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Crookedmember

here4fun

Active member
Apr 2, 2008
160
64
28
As long as their is a no smoking bylaw then the fine is legal and enforceable. If you ignore the fine, it will be collected when the unit is sold. The time to fight it is when you first get the fine, if you do not act within the timelines your options become very limited. File a notice with the Strata council to dispute, they have to have a hearing. If you don't like the result, in BC, you file with the Civil Resolution Tribunal. The dispute process can vary slightly depending on the strata bylaws and province. Also if it is on native leased land the process is different
 

Bobert1969

Fuck Now or After Dinner, It's Still Paying For It
Aug 19, 2010
3,687
6,603
113
The council also has the right to refine you every two weeks so the fines will accumulate. As @here4fun said, it isn't collected till you sell (or the landlord sells) as a lien is placed against the property so that the fines will have to be paid before the sale can go through.
 
Vancouver Escorts