When Kyle and I first bought our place, we only had one hesitation: Strata.

Sure, that means everyone has to play according to the same set of rules, but sometimes, it’s easier not having any, or at least not have a strict set of rules. You already have to follow City Bylaws, but adding another set of underlying rules on top of that can push the limit.

One example: City bylaws say that one residence cannot own more than two dogs and two cats. Our strata bylaws only allow one dog and one cat.

Of course, there’s always exceptions made to the rules, both with City and Strata bylaws. There are some people in our complex who have two dogs, and I’m sure there’s some who have two cats.

But then there’s the people who just ignore the rules.

Example: Our strata bylaws say that you must have your dog on a leash at all times while on “community” property (Basically, anywhere outside of your own fenced area). When Kyle and I first moved in, there was a little old lady who would let her toy poodle out on the community grass (without a leash) to do its business. As a result, it came wandering over to our fence and started barking at Daphne. Because we have a completely fenced yard, it was no big deal and the woman came and got her dog. However, if we DIDN’T have a fenced yard and Daphne WAS leashed, she still probably would’ve gotten into a scrap with this tiny dog, of course making her look like the bad guy even though the lady wasn’t following the rules. UGH!

Now, I think the old lady gets that there’s a giant dog a couple doors down and I haven’t seen the dog since. Thankfully, I didn’t have to complain to the strata board that her dog was running about sans leash.

Another example: The unit next to us has no one living in it because the lady passed away a couple months ago. The unit on the other side of that unit (so two doors up from us) seems to think that they can use that parking spot as their own. Strata bylaws say you’re only allowed to park in your unit’s assigned parking, in visitor parking, or on the street.

So far, Kyle and I have been trying to ignore it. Sure, we’ve thought about complaining. We’ve also thought about using the spot ourselves but choose not to because knowing our luck, that will be when someone complains.

Our problem is, do we complain, making potential enemies with the neighbours (they’re young and kinda douchey, so we wouldn’t really care), or do we ignore it? Being new and all, we’re apprehensive to raise a stink because we don’t want to be labeled as the Complainers.

What would you do? Ignore it or mention it to the Board?

Really, they’re not hurting us, but it’s not very respectful to park in your neighbour’s driveway, dead or alive.

Does anyone else live in a Strata complex? What are your rules like?