General information only — not legal, tax, financial, or real-estate advice. Verify with a licensed BC professional before acting.
Unit entitlement is a number assigned to each strata lot in a strata plan that determines the lot's share of common expenses and, in certain votes, its voting weight at general meetings, as established under the Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c. 43. A lot's proportionate contribution to strata fees is calculated by dividing its unit entitlement by the total unit entitlement of all lots in the strata corporation. The figures are set by a BC land surveyor at the time the strata plan is created; changing them requires a significant approval process under the Strata Property Act — verify current details with a BC lawyer or notary. Because unit entitlement directly governs ongoing financial obligations and voting rights, buyers are advised to review the strata plan and current budget documents before completing a purchase.
Under the Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c. 43, unit entitlement is a number assigned to each strata lot on the strata plan filed at the Land Title Office. It determines each lot's proportionate share of the total contribution to the strata corporation's operating fund and contingency reserve fund (strata fees), and its voting power at general meetings. The unit entitlement is set by the original surveyor based on factors such as habitable area and cannot be changed without an amendment to the strata plan, which requires approval under the Strata Property Act.
Under the Strata Property Act and the Strata Property Regulation, the British Columbia Land Surveyor who prepares the strata plan determines the unit entitlement for each strata lot. The calculation is based on the habitable area of each lot (or another formula permitted by regulation) and is included on the face of the registered strata plan. Verify the specific calculation method used for any particular strata plan by reviewing the registered plan and consulting a BC lawyer or notary.
Under the Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c. 43, changing unit entitlement requires an amendment to the registered strata plan, which is a significant legal procedure. Generally, it requires a unanimous vote resolution of the strata corporation (approval by all owners) because it affects each owner's proportionate interest in the common property and liabilities. Verify the precise requirements and procedure with a BC lawyer or notary before attempting to amend unit entitlement.
Yes. Under the Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c. 43, each strata lot's contribution to the operating fund and contingency reserve fund (strata fees) is calculated in proportion to its unit entitlement relative to the total unit entitlement of all strata lots. For example, a lot with unit entitlement of 50 in a building where all lots total 1,000 pays 5% (as of 2026-07-27 — verify current calculation for your strata) of the total fees. This proportionate share is mandatory unless the strata corporation has passed a bylaw to allocate expenses differently, subject to the rules in the Act.
Yes. Under the Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c. 43, each strata lot is entitled to vote at general meetings in proportion to its unit entitlement, unless the strata corporation's bylaws provide otherwise. A lot with 100 unit entitlement in a building totalling 1,000 has 10% (as of 2026-07-27 — verify current) of the total voting power. Verify your strata corporation's bylaws and the Act for any special voting rules applicable to your property.
Unit entitlement is shown on the registered strata plan, which is filed at the BC Land Title Office under the Land Title Act, RSBC 1996, c. 250. The strata plan is a public document and can be obtained by ordering a copy from the Land Title Office or through a BC lawyer or notary conducting title searches. It is a standard item to review during the pre-purchase due diligence process.
Yes, in most cases. Under the Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c. 43, each strata lot has a share in the common property and common assets proportionate to its unit entitlement. This share also determines liability for common expenses and the strata corporation's debts. Verify the precise interest by reviewing the registered strata plan and consulting a BC lawyer or notary.
Under the Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c. 43, a strata corporation may pass bylaws to allocate certain expenses on a basis other than unit entitlement, subject to the requirements and limitations in the Act. For example, user fees for specific amenities or expenses limited to certain types of strata lots may be allocated differently if permitted by bylaw and the Act. Verify whether any such bylaws exist by reviewing the strata corporation's registered bylaws and consulting a BC lawyer or notary.
Yes. Under the Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c. 43, special levies approved by the strata corporation are allocated to each strata lot in proportion to its unit entitlement, unless a bylaw provides otherwise. A lot with higher unit entitlement will pay a proportionately higher share of any special levy. Verify the strata corporation's bylaws and the resolution approving the levy to confirm the allocation method.
Yes. Reviewing the unit entitlement on the registered strata plan is a standard step in pre-purchase due diligence because it directly affects ongoing strata fees, voting power, and your proportionate share of common property and liabilities under the Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c. 43. Obtain a copy of the strata plan from the Land Title Office and have a BC lawyer or notary confirm the unit entitlement and its implications for your purchase.
Verify the specific statutory language, thresholds, deadlines and current guidance directly with the governing authority: