For Current Homeowners
Finally understand your own strata
The documents that govern your fees, your renovations, and your rights are dense and easy to ignore — until they aren't. SearchStrata turns your strata's paperwork into clear answers.
You already own your unit — but most owners have never actually read the depreciation report, the reserve fund schedule, or the rules they're bound by. SearchStrata lets you ask plain questions and get answers from your own documents, so you're never caught off guard at the next AGM or by the next fee notice.
What gets missed
- ⚠Fee increases and special levies you didn't see coming
- ⚠Bylaws about pets, rentals, and renovations you're not sure apply to you
- ⚠A reserve fund and depreciation report you've never actually read
Make sense of your fees and levies
Understand where your strata fees go, how healthy the reserve fund is, and whether a special assessment is on the horizon — in minutes, not an evening of reading.
Know the rules before you act
Planning a renovation, a rental, or a new pet? Ask what your bylaws and rules actually say, with the relevant clause cited so you can act with confidence.
Walk into the AGM prepared
Catch up on recent minutes and decisions before the meeting, so you can ask the right questions and vote with the full picture.
How It Works
Gather your documents
Collect the minutes, financials, bylaws, and reports your strata has sent you — or request them from your strata manager.
Upload and analyze
SearchStrata reads everything and explains your fees, reserve fund, rules, and any upcoming costs in plain language.
Ask whenever you need
Have a question before a renovation or an AGM? Ask it and get a sourced answer from your own strata's documents.
Common Questions
- I already own my unit. What would I get out of it?
- You can quickly understand where your strata fees go, whether the contingency reserve fund is healthy, whether a special levy is likely, and what your bylaws say about pets, rentals, and renovations — without reading hundreds of pages yourself.
- Can it show me what the bylaws say about renovating or renting out my unit?
- Yes. Ask about a renovation, a rental, or a pet and SearchStrata points you to the relevant bylaw or rule with a citation, so you can read exactly what it says for yourself. For how a rule applies to your specific situation, confirm with your strata or a qualified professional.
- How do I get my strata documents?
- Most owners already receive minutes and financial statements from their strata or strata manager. You can also request the bylaws, depreciation report, and reserve fund details, then upload them all to SearchStrata.
- How much does SearchStrata cost?
- SearchStrata has a free tier that covers up to 3 properties with basic reports. Paid plans are Pro at $29 CAD per month for unlimited properties and detailed reports, and Agent at $79 CAD per month for white-label reports and team seats. No credit card is required to start.
- How accurate are the answers, and can I verify them?
- Every answer and red flag cites the exact page in your strata documents where the information appears, so you can open the source and confirm it yourself. SearchStrata reads the documents you upload rather than relying on general web knowledge.
- What documents can I upload?
- You can upload a strata or condo package as a PDF or ZIP up to 200MB and hundreds of pages, including meeting minutes, financial statements, bylaws and rules, the capital-planning report (a depreciation report in BC or a reserve fund study in Alberta), insurance certificates, and the information certificate (BC Form B or an Alberta estoppel certificate).
- Does SearchStrata work for BC strata and Alberta condo documents?
- Yes. SearchStrata is built for Canadian strata and condominium documents, supporting both BC strata packages and Alberta condo document packages. The instruments differ by province — BC's Form B and depreciation report correspond to Alberta's estoppel certificate and reserve fund study — and SearchStrata reads either.
Latest reading for homeowners
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How to Work Effectively With Your Strata Council: A BC Owner’s Guide for Everyday Living
Living in a BC strata means your council shapes daily life, from maintenance priorities to bylaw enforcement. Learn how to communicate, raise concerns, and collaborate with your strata council to foster a healthier community.
Understanding Noise, Nuisance, and Quiet Enjoyment in Your BC Strata
Are you unsure what noise is allowed in your BC condo? Learn how bylaws, the Strata Property Act, and practical norms shape your rights and responsibilities as a strata owner when it comes to everyday sounds and neighbour disputes.
How to Spot Early Signs of a Special Levy in Your BC Strata
Worried a special levy might be on the horizon for your BC condo? Learn the early warning signs, how to read strata documents for clues, and what steps owners can take to plan ahead.
Where Your Strata Fees Go: A Practical Guide for BC Condo Owners
Wondering what your monthly strata fees actually cover? We break down how BC strata corporations use owner contributions, why fees rise, and where to find details about your building’s spending priorities.
Reading Your Strata’s Depreciation Report Like an Owner (Not a Buyer)
If you already own a BC strata unit, your building’s depreciation report isn’t just a buyer’s due diligence tool—it’s a map of upcoming repairs, costs, and how council sets priorities. Here’s how to read yours to stay ahead of maintenance and special levies.
How to Request Records From Your BC Strata (and What to Expect)
BC strata owners have a legal right to access key building records, but the process can be confusing. Learn what you can request, how to make a defensible request, and what to expect in return.
Make your strata documents readable
Start free and get sourced answers from your strata package in minutes. No credit card required.