Strata Lot

A strata lot is an individual unit within a strata development — such as a condominium, townhouse, or bare-land strata parcel — created when a strata plan is deposited at the Land Title Office under the Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c. 43. Each strata lot receives its own indefeasible certificate of title under the Land Title Act, RSBC 1996, c. 250, and is subject to its own property tax assessment by BC Assessment. The strata-lot owner holds title to the strata lot, while the strata corporation holds title to the common property and common assets under the Strata Property Act.

The exact boundary of each strata lot is defined in the registered strata plan deposited at the Land Title Office. The boundary may extend to the centre of party walls, the interior face of finished surfaces, or another specified line, depending on what the strata plan states. This boundary determines the division of maintenance and insurance responsibility between the strata-lot owner and the strata corporation under sections 68 to 73 of the Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c. 43 — verify the specifics of any particular strata plan with a BC lawyer or notary before acting.

No. Under the Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c. 43, the strata corporation (not individual strata-lot owners) holds the indefeasible title to the common property and common assets. Each strata-lot owner has the right to use the common property in accordance with the Strata Property Act and the strata corporation's bylaws, but ownership of common property vests in the strata corporation as a statutory entity.

Unit entitlement is a number assigned to each strata lot in the registered strata plan that determines the strata lot's proportionate share of common expenses, the number of votes at general meetings, and the strata lot's share of any distribution of assets on wind-up of the strata corporation under the Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c. 43. The unit entitlement is typically based on habitable area, but the strata plan may use another formula. The exact unit entitlement and the formula used are set out in the registered strata plan — verify the details of any strata plan with a BC lawyer, notary, or at the Land Title Office before acting.

Yes. Under section 72 of the Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c. 43, a strata-lot owner must repair and maintain the strata lot, except for the portion the strata corporation is required to repair and maintain under section 72(2) or (3). The division of responsibility depends on the boundary shown in the strata plan and on whether the item is common property, limited common property, or part of the strata lot — verify the specifics of your strata plan and bylaws with a BC lawyer or notary before acting.

The Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act, SC 2022, c. 10 (a federal Act), prohibits most non-Canadians from purchasing residential property in Canada, including BC strata lots, subject to specific exceptions and an extension currently in force through January 1, 2027 (as of 2026-07-27 — verify current). BC's Additional Property Transfer Tax (under the Property Transfer Tax Act, RSBC 1996, c. 378) also imposes an additional 20% tax (as of 2026-07-27 — verify current) on foreign entities and taxable trustees purchasing residential property. Verify eligibility and exemptions with a BC lawyer and a licensed tax professional before acting.

Yes. Each strata lot has its own property tax folio number issued by BC Assessment, and the strata-lot owner is responsible for paying property tax directly to the municipality or taxing authority. The strata corporation pays property tax on the common property and common assets. Eligibility for the BC Home Owner Grant (under the Home Owner Grant Act) applies to qualifying strata-lot owners — verify current grant thresholds and eligibility with a BC lawyer, notary, or the BC Ministry of Finance before acting.

A strata lot is the individual unit to which a strata-lot owner holds indefeasible title, while common property is the land, building elements, and facilities that are not part of any strata lot and to which the strata corporation holds title under the Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c. 43. The registered strata plan defines the boundaries of each strata lot and identifies which portions are common property. Limited common property is a subset of common property designated for the exclusive use of one or more strata lots, but title remains with the strata corporation — verify the specifics of any strata plan with a BC lawyer or notary before acting.

Amending the boundaries of a strata lot or subdividing a strata lot generally requires an amendment to the registered strata plan under the Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c. 43, and compliance with the Land Title Act, RSBC 1996, c. 250. Such amendments typically require a resolution passed by a 3/4 vote or unanimous vote at a general meeting (depending on the nature of the change) and must be filed with the Land Title Office. Verify the applicable voting threshold and procedural requirements with a BC lawyer or notary before acting.

Title insurance is not legally required to purchase a strata lot in BC, but many lawyers and notaries recommend it to protect against title defects, survey issues, fraud, and certain risks not covered by the certificate of indefeasible title issued under the Land Title Act, RSBC 1996, c. 250. Whether to purchase title insurance, and which policy, is a decision to verify with your BC lawyer or notary based on the specifics of your transaction. The cost and coverage of title insurance vary by insurer and transaction — verify current details with a BC lawyer or notary before acting.