Introduction
This assignment is part of the course English 301 – Technical Writing at UBC and is an introduction to the use of tone and definitions. The assignment’s goal is to show how writers and professionals should use different definitions when speaking with different audiences. Where a simple definition may be appropriate for someone who has a high level of experience with the subject matter, it may not be appropriate for an audience that has little knowledge of the term. In this assignment, we break down the term “Strata Corporation” to a fellow UBC student.
The situation
A Strata Manager is explaining the concept of a Strata Corporation to a student who has not owned a property or lived in a strata before.
Parenthetical Definition
A Strata Corporation (a legal entity that acts on behalf of all of the owners of the building) is able to pass bylaws and rules to govern the activities of the individuals living in the strata.
Sentence Definition
A Strata Corporation is a legal entity comprised of all of the owners of the individual units within a strata corporation which can pass bylaws and rules to govern the activities of the individuals living in the strata.
Expanded Definition
A Strata Corporation is a legal entity comprised of all of the owners of the individual units within a strata corporation which can pass bylaws and rules to govern the activities of the individuals living in the strata.
The Strata Corporation acts in the same capacity as any other corporation does in business. It sets a budget, has monthly and annual financial statements, elects a board of directors otherwise known as a “Strata Council” from within the owners of the building, and is required to have an Annual General Meeting (AGM). At the AGM, the members of the strata corporation, who are “The owners of the strata lots” (Office of Housing and Construction Standards) vote on various agenda items such as bylaw revisions, special funding levies, or other large capital expenditures. “A strata corporation is a legal entity with all of the powers of a natural person who has full capacity. This means that it can sue or be sued, enter into contracts and hire employees.” (Office of Housing and Construction Standards)
The below visual depicts a number of strata’s in downtown Vancouver, B.C. which are shown primarily as high rise buildings. Strata Corporations can come in many forms such as Townhouse complexes, high-rise and low-rise buildings, small apartment complexes and even commercial uses such as retail strips, office buildings or even warehouses.
(Wikipedia)
Owning a unit in a Strata Corporation is different than owing a single-family home in many ways. Firstly, the title you receive will differ. Freehold properties, “In many cases, detached homes (single family dwellings that are not attached to another persons dwelling unit)” (shown below) (Rennie) are those that “you own the property (the land and the structure) including the right to reside in it…”. (Rennie) Strata properties on the other hand will come with a strata title and “…essentially have a form of joint ownership.” (Rennie) over common facilities and land such as courtyards, pools, saunas, athletic facilities or games or amenity rooms. You will also need to pay a fee to the strata which will help “…pay for the general maintenance of the property.” (Rennie)
In essence, A Strata Corporation is a group of owners pooling funds to take care of repairs and maintenance of common property. Anything inside an owners unit would still be the responsibility of the individual owner.
Works Cited:
“Downtown Vancouver.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Dec. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downtown_Vancouver. Accessed 29 January 2022.
Office of Housing and Construction Standards. “Strata Corporations.” Province of British Columbia, Province of British Columbia, 10 Dec. 2020, www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/strata-housing/operating-a-strata/roles-and-responsibilities/strata-corporations#:~:text=A%20strata%20corporation%20is%20a,members%20of%20the%20strata%20corporation. Accessed 29 January 2022.
Rennie Team. “Different Types of Ownership.” Rennie RSS Listings, Rennie, 2019, rennie.com/rennie-post/types-of-ownership-freehold-strata-leasehold. Accessed 29 January 2022.
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