Good Counsel uses cloud based strata management software called PowerStrata Systems Inc. Specifically tailored to the compliancy needs of strata corporations in BC, PowerStrata is a comprehensive strata management software package that streamlines communications between owners, residents, and the management company.

PowerStrata simplifies -

  • Maintenance Management: Streamline maintenance requests and track progress, ensuring issues are addressed promptly

  • Document Management: Access, store, and share important documents (like meeting minutes and financial reports) with ease

  • Communication: Customized portals for owners and residents allow easy tracking to manage payments, requests, and easy access to documents that provide answers to questions owners/residents may have

  • Enhanced Transparency: Financial and maintenance data are easily accessible, allowing owners and residents to view real-time updates on budgets, payments, and the status of maintenance requests

  • Seamless Reporting: With detailed financial and activity reports, you can easily keep track of strata performance and make data-driven decisions

Strata Management - Service Offerings:

Financial Management:

  • Set up of Pre-Authorized Debit (PADs) to collect Strata Maintenance Fees

  • Accounts Payable

  • Bank Reconciliation

  • Bookkeeping

  • Production & posting of monthly financial statements

Meeting Management:

  • General Meetings: Coordination, date selection, venue selection, preparation of agenda (including gathering motions, creating draft budget), running meeting (including chairing, voting procedures & counting), production and posting of minutes.

  • Council Meetings: Coordination, date selection, venue selection, preparation of agenda, running meeting (including chairing & voting documentation), production and posting of minutes.

Correspondence:

  • Notices eg. window cleaning, gutter cleaning, fire safety inspections, dryer vent cleaning, parkade pressure washing…

  • Answering owner questions

Bylaw Enforcement:

  • Dispute Mediation/Resolution

  • Effectively coordinating council agendas, voting & minutes to ensure that proper procedures are followed

  • Issuing bylaw infraction notices

  • Collection of fines

  • payment of strata fees

Tendering Contracts:

  • Seeking out quality trades at a reasonable price to maintain your building

Training:

  • governance

  • IT

  • Bylaws

  • Depreciation Reports

Project Management:

  • Managing onsite trades

  • accompanying trades when conducting dryer vent cleaning, fire safety equipment inspection or other maintenance or repairs

  • Overseeing/Monitoring major projects to ensure value/compliance

Political Advocacy:

  • lobbying government on behalf of the strata corporation to resolve issues eg. troublesome neighbours, crime, noise…

Strata Document Review

Includes a written report detailing information that will help you make an informed decision. Pay someone else to do the Homework.

Reviewing strata documents serves a similar purpose to home inspections. Just as few realtors have the expertise to perform home inspections, likewise, few have the detailed experience to gain helpful insight from reviewing strata documents. Realtors have a duty to report physical defects of a building structure, but have no duty to report defects that may be found when reading the strata documentation. When you are looking to buy a strata, there is a whole host of revealing intricacies within the pages - council meeting minutes, depreciation reports, government legislated requirements, bylaws, financial statements, maintenance reports, warranty reviews etc. The volume of documentation to oversee and delve into can be overwhelming. That’s where someone with an array of knowledge and experience in strata management can be of service.

With Good Counsel Inc.’s extensive experience in governance, policy development, political communications and legislation, we can help interpret and understand the nuances contained in the minutes - for example, turns of phrase or wording that raise red flags (eg. inconsistencies/relational dynamics within the building). We understand the subtleties and details contained in a depreciation report or warranty review that may reveal future costly maintenance and repairs. Buying a home is stressful enough - we help heal the headache, and diminish the hours that go into reading and deciphering pages of technical detail.

Consulting Services for Strata Owners

When you live within a community of other strata owners, tricky situations can arise. Sometimes it’s unclear who is responsible for what… Is the strata owner responsible for this issue? Is the strata council responsible for that payment? Communications and expectations regarding bylaw enforcement can be difficult to navigate. We can help by offering advice that gets timely action and resolution. Our strata management experience and knowledge of the industry can help with what could otherwise be a costly and time consuming situation.

“I really appreciate Good Counsel’s assistance. Derek did a great job - thorough and really good at explaining things.”

Dawn Massey - Strata Buyer