Property Management

November 6, 2025 Published by British Columbia Chapter - By Brent Laing

Managing A Strata? Here Is A 12-Point Property Watch Checklist!

From CCI BC Strata Connection Magazine, Volume 05, Fall/Winter 2025

Strata properties benefit from periodic walkarounds. With cold snaps, heavy rainfalls, and windstorms becoming more common, many strata councils and unit owners are left vulnerable, especially in buildings without on-site managers or regular property checks. Adopting a proactive approach to property checks allows strata councils to identify potential issues before they escalate, aligning with insurance industry expectations for preventative management.

Understanding Property Checks vs. Home Inspections 

It’s important to note that property checks are not the same as home inspections. While property checks can identify potential issues, they do not provide a full evaluation of a building's structural integrity or code compliance. Instead, any issues found during checks should be reported to professional services for further inspection and management, ensuring the building remains safe and well-maintained. 

Identifying the Key Issues with Strata Properties

Strata buildings are not only vulnerable to the changing climate but also to the natural wear and tear that occurs over time. Many strata properties in British Columbia are aging, which increases the need for vigilance and monitoring of key systems such as plumbing, roofing, and electrical wiring. 

Without routine checks, small issues that arise due to aging infrastructure or environmental stressors can go unnoticed until they become full-blown crises. 

• Frozen Pipes and Sprinkler Systems: During cold weather, unheated or poorly insulated spaces can experience pipe bursts or malfunctioning sprinkler systems. Routine checks can identify early drips before they cause significant damage.
• Flooding and Water Damage: Water in the parkade may indicate clogged drainage systems. Regular checks are essential to ensure that gutters and drains are functioning properly.
• Deteriorating Infrastructure: Ask your professional contractors what you can do to monitor any critical systems. Many strata councils are unaware of the severity of issues until a crisis erupts, which can lead to costly repairs and insurance claims. 

Why Regular Property Checks Are Critical

Strata councils often rely on property management companies to handle maintenance and emergency response. However, most property management companies focus primarily on administrative tasks like strata requirements, changing legislation and financial management.

A few of them are under contract to conduct regular, thorough walkarounds of the properties they manage. 

As a result, it is often up to the strata councils themselves to identify and respond to problems before they escalate. Without consistent monitoring, even minor issues can spiral into major crises that affect both common areas and individual units. Regular property checks are the first line of defense against these risks. 

• Unnoticed Areas of Concern: Property checks frequently uncover issues that were previously overlooked by strata councils, residents, and management companies. Catching these issues early can prevent major disruptions and protect property values.
• Vacant Units: Many owners leave their units unoccupied for extended periods, particularly during winter. These vacant units are often the source of undetected damage, such as frozen pipes, leaks, or mold, that can spread to other parts of the building. 

Example Checklist for Strata Property Checks of Common Areas 

To help strata councils and property managers maintain common areas, here is a sample checklist for routine property checks. This list serves as a starting point. Each property may require a customized checklist based on its unique layout, seasonal needs (e.g., frozen pipe checks in winter), and specific features.

Exterior Checks

• Entry / Exit Doors: Ensure doors are secure and show no signs of damage.
• Security Features / Gates: Confirm that the security gates and other features are functioning properly and are free of damage.
• General Building Exterior: Look for any visible signs of damage to the building's exterior.
• Roof: Check that the roof is clear of debris and shows no signs of damage.
• Downspouts/Drains: Ensure downspouts and drains are clear and free of water pooling.
• Landscaping: Look for any potential hazards in landscaped areas, such as fallen branches or overgrown vegetation. 

Common Area Checks

Stairwells: Confirm stairwells are clear of obstacles and damage. Waste & Recycling: Ensure waste and recycling areas are clean and undamaged. Fire Extinguishers: Verify that fire extinguishers are fully charged and show no signs of tampering or damage. Mechanical Room: Check that the mechanical room is secure and that no equipment is damaged. Electrical Room: Ensure the electrical room is secure and all systems are intact. Exit & Motion Lights: Confirm all exit and motionactivated lights are functioning correctly. 

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Brent Laing, founder of Property Watch Certified Systems, created the first digital platform for professional property checks, drawing on over a decade of experience running West Coast Property Watch. After years protecting vacant and unattended homes and tackling insurance compliance challenges, he saw a gap in the market and built Property Watch to help homeowners and strata corporations manage risks tied to absences, vacancies, and environmental changes.