Strata Depreciation Reports: What REALTORS® and Clients Need to Know

Jan 08, 2021

CATEGORY: Practice Tips
TAGS: Depreciation Reports Strata Fundamentals 1 Strata Properties Strata Property Act

By Ellen Baragon, guest contributor

With more than 1.5 million British Columbians living in strata housing, not to mention all the commercial, industrial and mixed-use stratas in BC, it’s important that REALTORS^® understand a key tool in assessing the condition of a strata property: the depreciation report. Here’s a quick primer on what you need to know and how to learn more.

What is a Strata Depreciation Report?

A strata depreciation report is a thorough written, and sometimes illustrated, physical assessment of the condition of a strata property that identifies current and future issues that need to be addressed with associated cost estimates. According to provincial regulations, a depreciation report must include an inventory and evaluation of a building’s:

structure,
exterior (such as roofs, roof decks, doors, windows and skylights),
systems (such as electrical, heating, plumbing, fire protection and security); and
common amenities (such as fitness room, pool, bike lockers etc).

Collectively, the items listed above are known as "common property" as they are elements that are shared by all owners of individual units within the building.

Why is a Strata Depreciation Report important?

A strata depreciation report helps strata corporations plan for the repair, replacement and renewal of common property and assets, especially those that require considerable outlay of money, such as roofs, windows, elevators, roads or utilities.

They are also an important part of a buyer’s due diligence as they provide insight into future repair and maintenance needs and their associated costs. Realtors should encourage their clients to thoroughly review strata depreciation reports and seek legal or other expert advice before making a buying decision.

Buyers should also understand that a depreciation report covers common property as part of a strata building and not individual units within that building. As a Realtor, be sure to advise buyer clients to get an independent inspection for the specific unit they are considering purchasing.

What isn’t covered in a Strata Depreciation Report?

Depreciation reports don’t normally cover every item in the common property or routine repairs and maintenance. Buyers should still do their own due diligence in having the property inspected as well as obtaining other strata documents, including but not limited to bylaws, rules, regulations, meeting minutes, strata plans, summary of insurance coverages etc. To obtain additional information, Realtors and their clients need to request other strata documents in addition to the depreciation report.

Are Strata Depreciation Reports mandatory in BC?

Under British Columbia’s Strata Property Act and Regulations, strata corporations must obtain a depreciation report unless the strata consists of fewer than five strata lots. The Regulations also require the report to be updated every three years.

Can Strata Corporations opt out?
Strata corporations in BC can waive their requirement to obtain a depreciation report, or defer the renewal of one, if three quarters of the owners pass an annual vote in favour. Voting to waive a depreciation report can backfire however, with the long-term costs of unanticipated repairs and maintenance needs often far outweighing any short-term savings gained from opting out. In addition, prospective buyers are sometimes reluctant to invest in stratas that don’t have a long-range maintenance plan in place and lenders and insurers may consider stratas without depreciation reports greater risks.

Want to Learn More? BCREA Strata Fundamentals

The regulations and policies around strata corporations are complex which is why BCREA offers brokers and Realtors courses on Strata Fundamentals in both virtual and online formats. Strata Fundamentals Courses both virtually (delivered via Zoom) and in online format: