48 .- Sunday, November 4, 1990 ~ North Shore News LIFESTYLES TEWS photo Cindy Goedman AMERICAN ARTIST Sam English signs one of his new works at the Deep Cove Gallery. The renowned painter was in town last week to unveil new limited edition prints. HELP’S AT HAND HELP’S AT Hand, a _ weekly feature by North Shore Com- munity Services, answers questions about and disctisses such topics as government policies and pro- grams, benefits, consumer and legal rights, taxation and public services. Answers published in this coi- umn are intended only as a gener- al guide and shou!d not be applied to specific individual cases without further consultation. ee? Question: I have been reading the recent information in this col- umn about strata units with great interest because 1 am hoping to become an owner of one. I gather that severat units in the complex where [ am thinking of buying are rented and I was wondering whether 1 should be concerned about this. Can you teil me what rules and regulations | can expeci to encounter with regard to ren- ting and also issues such as pets and parking? Answer: The strata corporation may make a rule restricting the number of units that can be rented out by their cwners. This can cause two problems. Ii the number of units that can be leased is small, you may not be able to rent your condominium. If your circumstances change and you need to move out, you may be forced to seli or fet your unit stay empty. On the other hand, if the strata council allows a large number of rentals, most of the complex may be filled with renters rather than owners. Usually someone who is renting will not care as much about keeping the property in good shape and the entire project can become run down. Recently out of province in- vesiors have been purchasing numerous units in a single devel- opment. Obvieisiv one owner cannot live in nore than one unit and the balance would be rented out. In this shuation, you not on- ly have a large percentage of renters in the project, you also may have an owner who does not live in the area and may be un- concerned in maintaining the con- dition of the common property. One of the most common prob- lems encountered in strata cor- porations is the issue of pets. It is possible for the strata council to restrict pets entirely. Obviously if you wish to keep a pet you must ensure that the bylaws permit this. On the other hand, in a con- dominium project that allows pets there are often problems with noise and the mess that animals can cause. If you are not a pet lover you may wish to look for a con- dominium that does not allow pets. There is always a risk that the prohibition against pets could be changed but if a majority of the owners approve the current rules, it is unlikely they would be changed in the near future. If your strata lot does not have a specific parking space allotted to it you must ensure that the general parking area is large enough and close enough to your con- dominium. You shculd also be sure that there is sufficient park- ing available for guests and any tecreational vehicles you may have. When you own a condominium you must pay a monthly maintenance fee to cover your part of the common expenses. Be- fore you buy, you sneuld find out about the budget that has been set up by the strata council. You want this budget to be large enough to ensure that all the common property is properly looked after. There must be enough money to have the lawns cut and the parking lots and other common areas cleaned. There should be funds set aside to cover major expenses such as re-roofing or other necessary renovations. You must pay your portion of the required inonthly amount so be aware of what this ccst is be- fore you buy. The proportion that you pay ig usually based on the relative size of your unit, but this isn’t always the case and shouid be confirmed before purchasing. The strata corporation will be responsible for insuring the entire building but you should have your own insurance for the contents of your unit. In addition to all of the previous matters which are unique to condominiums, you must also consider all of the usual questions which arise in any ceal estate pur- chase. The purchase of a condorninium ean be a sound financial invest- ment and an excellent way to live. However, you must give the pur- chase a great deal of thought and consult with financial and Iegal advisors before you sign anything. For a copy of the pamphlet Housing Options — Buying a Condo prepared by Eliot Road- burg, Berrister and Solicitor, con- tac. North Shore Community Ser- vices at 985-7138. e@@e@o North Shore Community Ser- vices, a United Way agency, is located at 1060 Rocsevelt Cres., North Vancouver, B.C. V7P IM3, telephone 985-7138. This columa is prepared with financial assistance from the Notary Foun-. dation. AN EVENING WITH RENOWNED CLAIRVOYANT DAVID YOUNG Tuesday, Nov. 6, 1990 Time: Place: Ballroom Lonsdale Quay Hole! 123 Carrie Cates Court North Vancouver Ticket Information 931-5860 Advance Tickets $10 Availabie Mon., Nov.6 — lépm ai Lonsdale Quay Hotel or phone 931-5860 MONDAY NIGHT CAPILANO MALL WILL BE OPEN MONDAY NIGHT UNTIL 9:00 PM CHECK OUT OUR IN-STORE SPECIAL f CAN'T SEEM TO GET COMFORTABLE} ON THAT BED OF YOURS? TRY THIS BED OF OURS. The Thamasville Powerbed ives you the right angle on comion. Just press a bution and move your head and feet to any position you choose. It sure beats pounding pillows and ralting around trying to get settied. But you have no idea just how wonderful the Thomasville Powerbed is untit you try it here, at J. 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