For strata councils
British Columbia
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Strata Management Company
Choosing a strata management company is one of the most consequential decisions a council makes — the right fit can run for years, the wrong one creates constant friction. Before you sign, these are the questions that separate a good match from a costly mistake.
About your assigned manager
You are not really hiring a company — you are hiring the specific person who will manage your building. Ask:
- Who exactly will be our assigned strata manager? Get a name, not just a company promise.
- How many other buildings does that manager handle? An overloaded manager means slow responses no matter how good the company is.
- What happens when our manager is on vacation or leaves? Continuity matters — ask about backup coverage and handover.
- How long have your managers typically been with the company? High turnover is a warning sign.
About responsiveness and communication
- What is your typical response time to council and owner inquiries?
- How do owners reach you — phone, email, a portal? And during what hours?
- How are after-hours emergencies handled? Confirm whether there is genuine 24/7 coverage and who responds.
- How often will council receive financial statements and updates?
Worth probing: Slow communication is the single most common complaint councils have about their management companies. Spend time on this set of questions — it predicts your day-to-day experience more than almost anything else.
About fees and what's included
- What is the monthly management fee, and how is it calculated?
- What is included in that fee, and what costs extra? Common extra charges include document preparation, additional meetings, and after-hours callouts.
- Are there fees owners pay directly, such as for Form B / Information Certificates when selling?
- How and when do fees increase? Ask about their history of fee changes.
- Is there a setup or onboarding fee for taking us on?
About experience and fit
- Do you manage buildings of our size and type? A company used to large high-rises may not suit a small townhouse complex, and vice versa.
- Can you provide references from other strata corporations you manage?
- Are you familiar with the specific challenges our building faces — age, amenities, ongoing projects?
- What languages do your staff speak? If your ownership is multilingual, this matters for owner engagement.
About the contract
- What is the term of the agreement, and what notice is required to cancel?
- What is the process and timeline for transitioning our building to your management?
- What happens to our records if we decide to leave in the future?
About compliance
- Can you confirm your BCFSA licence and that your managers are licensed?
- How do you stay current with changes to the Strata Property Act and regulations?
- How do you handle conflicts of interest — for example, if you also recommend contractors?
A final tip
Interview at least two or three companies before deciding. The contrast between them is often more revealing than any single conversation — you will quickly notice which managers answer directly, which dodge, and which clearly understand buildings like yours. Trust that signal.
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