Tag Archives: Canada

Urban planners push condos, but families want detached houses (Canada)

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities In case you missed it, I published a page on IAC that documents the pros and cons of higher density, mixed use communities promoted by fans of New Urbanism. It’s a must read for home buyers, business owners, and investors, before buying a home or condo, or signing a residential or commercial lease in a mixed-use or high density community. But our Canadian neighbors to the North also feed Continue ReadingUrban planners push condos, but families want detached houses (Canada)→

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Guess what, America? Other countries have same condo & HOA problems!

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  By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Some readers of IAC may be unaware that association-governed communities exist in other countries of the world. Most of them are condominium associations, but may be called by different names such as “strata” or “horizontal properties.” Detached homes in association-governed neighborhoods are called “villas” in many parts of the world, and, because there’s usually no ownership of individual parcels of land, their communities are more equivalent to condominium Continue ReadingGuess what, America? Other countries have same condo & HOA problems!→

Cooperative board says, according to rules, siblings cannot share bedroom

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Canadian cities such as Vancouver share a common problem with U.S. cities – a severe shortage of affordable housing. The typical young family with children simply cannot afford to buy – or even rent – the rare detached single family home in Vancouver. Densely packed housing such as condominiums – known as strata in British Columbia – and co-op apartments are the norm. City living spaces tend to be Continue ReadingCooperative board says, according to rules, siblings cannot share bedroom→

British Columbia’s innovative approach to strata (condo) disputes

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Last year, the Canadian Province of British Columbia established an accessible, affordable judicial option for resolving disputes, known as the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT). (see previous blog) Now that the CRT has been operational for 9 months, I followed up with my contact in B.C. to find out how the new system is working. According to J. Garth Cambrey, Vice Chair – Strata, Civil Resolution Tribunal: …we opened the Continue ReadingBritish Columbia’s innovative approach to strata (condo) disputes→