Can You Hold Parties in the Condo?

A condo may be the ideal space in a concrete jungle like Vancouver, but not exactly the right venue for a party. At least, it depends on how many guests you’re having and how rowdy they are. For instance, a small condo unit should be every indication that it's a less-than-ideal venue for a party of, say, 30 people.

Not a single condo bylaw foregoes the concept of "nuisance" in common law. This is defined as a condition that prevents owners from enjoying their properties in certain ways. The noise of an after-dark party is just one example. Nuisance can range from barbecue smoke clouding a neighbor's property to someone's stuff blocking your front door.

Even though the Strata Property Act offers details about strata nuisance, it's normally up to the condo's bylaws to identify activities that are considered as such. In this case, is a private party considered a nuisance? You need to answer a lot of questions since the matter is open to interpretation. For instance, is the party likely to create disruptive noise?

The nuisance clause is just one of many things you need to check when looking for a condo. Always clear this up, along with other house rules, with the condo association to avoid conflict with other residents.