Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Key Takeaways
- All strata corporations with 5 or more lots must complete an Electrical Planning Report by December 31, 2028.
- A qualified electrical professional must conduct the report, funded by the Contingency Reserve Fund.
- Strata corporations will vote at the AGM to approve the funds for the EPR, requiring a 3/4 majority.
- The introduction of the EPR responds to increased power demands and the need for high-speed EV charging stations.
- Future planning reports may focus on plumbing and water supply concerns.
Introduction
The Strata Property Act legislates that all strata corporations with 5 or more strata lots complete an electrical planning report by December 31, 2028. The report must be completed by a qualified electrical professional as outlined in the regulations. The funding for such a report should come from the Contingency Reserve Fund to obtain an Electrical Planning Report to comply with the new provincially mandated regulations.
Similar to the Depreciation Report, which was an option for each strata corporation when first introduced. The Depreciation Report became a mandatory requirement in January 2024.
HISTORY
The EPR requirement was in place in Greater Vancouver and the Lower Mainland years before it became an option in Whistler. There are several reasons for the introduction of the EPR in BC. Two of the obvious ones are the increased hydro power required within the Province, and strata corporations wanting every owner to have instant access to a high-speed EV charging station. In addition, the EPR should help the strata council manage the electrical capacity of the building and future needs.
The next planning reports will surely be for plumbing and water supply, but that will be in the future.
AGM Vote
In order to pass the vote for the EPR, a motion would need to be passed by a 3/4 vote to approve funds being taken from the contingency fund to pay for the EPR. The following is an example of the motion.
FAQ
No. This is still a choice for the strata corporation. The EPR is not a mandatory requirement until December 31, 2028.
No. This is a separate report. Deadline for Whistler stratas to obtain an EPR is December 31, 2028.
This motion must be voted on and passed by a 3/4 vote at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). It will be noted in the AGM minutes.
Yes and no. It depends on how thorough the buyer is. Some buyers need all the information they can get, and if this is your buyer, yes, they will want the EPR. Not all buyers are the same.
Marion Anderson Personal Real Estate Corporation
Sutton Group – West Coast Realty, Whistler, B.C.
marion@marionanderson.com (604) 938-3885