Be wary of strata living

Strata living realities in a gated, walled compound should make you think twice before making the move into one.

Sure it's a very convenient location and up until a couple of years ago it had many more benefits to be enjoyed but the last couple of strata councils turned it into a place best described as well, let's just say not enjoyable.

A strata councils' function is not to police or enforce rules and bylaws until there is a written complaint sent to council where it is discussed and a written notification is sent to the alleged perpetrator.

Some council members and committee members march around the complex looking for "infractions" and beam with satisfaction, pat themselves on the back and then seek out recognition and praise.

Volunteering is an admirable act until it turns into a bully pulpit for some individuals with authoritarian personalities.

That is the case in this complex where a few women with control issues will do and say anything to maintain their status and control. Two of these women couldn't wait to get on council and within minutes of being elected took the opportunity to use this new found power to get what they really wanted.

In one case material gain and the other the attention and recognition she desperately sought. In fact after only a few short weeks of holding this council position a new term was coined in her dishonour. Doing the "strata strut".

The Castanet forum offered suggestions to help solve this problem which is apparently a fact of life in most strata corporations.

-Vote in reasonable and honorable people to take on the responsibility sounds right but the friendly smiling face who volunteers isn't always what you get. Believe me.
-Get on council and make changes from within is an impossibility. You are only 1 vote.
-Make your concerns known to council is laughable for the power mongers overrule common sense and decency. And in answer to my concerns they lied.
-Take up a petition to remove these militants. Most don't want to get involved out of fear or disinterest.
-File a complaint with the Civil Resolution Tribunal takes time, money and more than one participant. Besides, one of the CRT criteria is that before they will even consider your complaint you must make an appeal before council first!

So standing in front of three smirking despots with hat in hand and head bowed makes me want to laugh and vomit at the same time. The final solution is to move but it sure as hell won't be because of three or four tyrannical women who lie and cheat and lie some more.

So if you think strata living is for you, think again and again and again and again and.

John G. Kish