Welcome to your guide on Vancouver condo repairs. You own a unit in Yaletown or the West End. Something breaks. You need to know who pays the bill. Strata rules are complex. This post simplifies them. Use these facts to save money and time.
Start by checking your strata plan. Locate your unit boundaries. Identify common property.
1. Drywall and Paint Repairs
Water leaks happen in East Vancouver towers. A pipe bursts behind your wall. The strata fixes the pipe. This pipe is common property. The strata then repairs the drywall. They leave the wall ready for paint.
You pay for the final finish. Buy the paint. Apply the primer. Paint the wall to match your room. If you caused the leak, you pay for everything.
Hire a professional for a seamless look. Randall the Handyman handles drywall repairs in Kerrisdale and Kitsilano.
Pricing:
- $120 for the first hour.
- $85 for each additional hour.
2. Faucets and Plumbing Fixtures
Your kitchen faucet leaks in your South Vancouver condo. The faucet is inside your strata lot. It serves only your unit. You own the faucet. You pay for the repair.
Buy a new fixture. Call a handyman. Install the faucet. Test for leaks.
Strata only pays for shared pipes. If the leak is under your sink, it is your responsibility. Replace old washers or install a new unit to prevent water damage.
3. Windows and Screens
Windows are the building envelope. The strata corporation usually maintains them. They fix the glass. They repair the seals. This keeps the building weather-tight in North Vancouver rain.
Screens are different. Most bylaws make owners responsible for window screens. Check your specific bylaws.
If you break the glass from the inside, you pay. If the seal fails naturally, the strata pays. Open a maintenance request with your property manager. Wait for their vendor.
4. Balcony Cleaning and Maintenance
You have a balcony in Yaletown. This is Limited Common Property (LCP). You have exclusive use. You must keep it clean.
Sweep the deck. Wash the surface. Clear the drain. Do this once a month.
The strata handles structural issues. They repair the concrete. They fix the railings. They paint the exterior walls.
Do not use a pressure washer. This damages the waterproof membrane. Use a soft brush and mild soap. Contact your strata before doing any major work.
5. Flooring and Baseboards
You live in a Westside condo. Your laminate flooring buckles. This is your strata lot. You own the floor.
Remove the old flooring. Level the subfloor. Install new planks. Replace the baseboards.
If a strata pipe caused the damage, you still pay for the floor. The strata insurance covers the structure. Your own condo insurance covers your improvements.
Always keep extra flooring pieces. This makes small repairs easier.
6. Lighting and Electrical Fixtures
The light fixture in your dining room flickers. This fixture is your property. It is not common property.
Turn off the breaker. Remove the fixture. Install a new LED light. Turn on the power.
Strata pays for hallway lights. They pay for garage lights. They do not pay for your interior lamps or ceiling fans.
Hire help for smart home device setup in Burnaby or Richmond.
Pricing:
- $120 for the first hour.
- $85 for each additional hour.
7. Appliances
Your dishwasher leaks in a Main St apartment. Appliances serve only your unit. They are not part of the building systems.
You pay for the repair. You pay for the replacement.
Check your hoses regularly. Look for cracks. Tighten the connections. A small leak leads to big strata chargebacks.
If your appliance floods the unit below, you pay for their repairs. Ensure your insurance is active.
How to Start Your Repair
- Identify the problem.
- Determine the location.
- Check your strata bylaws.
- Contact your property manager if it is common property.
- Call Randall the Handyman if it is your responsibility.
We serve Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, North Vancouver, and West Vancouver.
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