Editor:
The news regarding the changes to the Rental Act of British Columbia has raised concern and some anxiety for many owners of homes in strata corporation-regulated complexes.
A change in perspective from a relationship between landlords and their tenants is in order.
For many years past this has been, in too many cases, adversarial.
I suggest that the municipal regulators and perhaps the Condominium Homeowners’ Association draft a template outlining ways of receiving and integrating renters into their communities, bearing in mind that this will take place and the impact can be mitigated.
Many members of strata corporation councils do not have the human-resource skills, nor training, to do this effectively.
If such assistance is not forthcoming, councils and member-owners would be wise to meet and make a plan of their own.
A warm welcome and an opportunity to get to know these new folks who will be their neighbours could lead to more compliance, interest in the community, and a willingness to contribute in a meaningful way.
Templates for this way of life are modelled in many Intentional Communities worldwide.
One example is the co-housing model – although not applicable in its entirety, much of their philosophy is helpful.
Both parties must feel that they have a beneficial stake in a co-operative relationship.
Dorothy Randall, Surrey