A Vancouver condo owner has been fined by the strata council for displaying what they deemed 'colourful curtains' that breached the building's uniform appearance rules. The Civil Resolution Tribunal upheld the penalty, ruling that the owner violated the strata's bylaws regarding window coverings.
Dispute over curtain colour
The owner, who was not named in the decision, argued that the curtains were not excessively bright or distracting, and that the strata's rules were too vague. However, the tribunal found that the strata had a clear bylaw requiring all window coverings to be 'neutral in colour' and that the owner's curtains were a noticeable shade of blue, which did not comply.
Fine upheld
The tribunal ordered the owner to pay the fine of $200, plus the strata's legal costs. The decision noted that the owner had been warned multiple times before the fine was imposed. 'The strata's bylaw is reasonable and enforceable,' the tribunal member wrote in the decision.
Impact on condo living
This case highlights the importance of understanding and adhering to strata rules, which often govern even minor aesthetic choices. Condo owners are advised to review their building's bylaws before making changes to their unit's appearance to avoid similar disputes.
