Any owner, tenant, or a person authorized by an owner or tenant has the right to inspect and obtain copies of the strata corporation's records.
The request must be made in writing to the strata corporation (usually via the Strata Council or the strata manager).
The request must identify the specific records the person wishes to inspect or obtain copies of.
The time limit for the strata corporation to comply with the request depends on the type of record being requested:
A. Bylaws and Rules Only
Current Bylaws and Rules
Within 1 week of the written request.
S. 35(1)(a)
B. All Other Records
All other records (Minutes, Financials, Form B, etc.)
Within 2 weeks of the written request.
S. 35(1)(b)
Note on Accessibility: The strata corporation must make the records available at a reasonable time and location for the inspection.
The strata corporation must allow inspection of the records for free.
However, the strata corporation is permitted to charge a reasonable fee for providing copies of the records.
The Regulation sets the maximum amount the strata can charge for copies. Currently, this is usually capped at 25 cents per page.
While the general rule is full disclosure to owners, the strata corporation must not allow inspection or provide copies of records if the record concerns excluded matters under the Strata Property Act, primarily related to privacy.
Excluded matters include:
Records relating to the enforcement of bylaws and rules, if disclosure would reveal personal information (e.g., the name of an owner who received a warning letter or fine, or details of a specific bylaw contravention).
Records relating to an employee of the strata corporation.
Records relating to the Strata Owner Developer that are not required to be turned over to the strata corporation (e.g., internal business details).
The strict adherence to these time limits for record access helps maintain transparency and is a key area of compliance under the Strata Property Act.