City of Victoria 55+ Properties for Sale

A beautifully renovated unit can still be part of a strata facing expensive common-property work. Buyers should review council minutes, annual and special general meeting minutes, financial statements, contingency reserve funding, depreciation reports and insurance information.

Building-envelope work, windows, balconies, elevators, piping, roofing, parkades and mechanical systems can create substantial capital costs. Understanding what has already been completed and what remains planned is essential.

In a smaller 55+ building, a major project can affect each owner differently than in a large strata because the cost is divided among fewer units.

Buyers should also examine bylaws affecting pets, smoking, rentals, renovation work, flooring, parking, storage and use of common amenities. These can matter as much to daily enjoyment as the age restriction.

For townhouses, clarify which exterior components are common property and which are an owner's responsibility. Roofs, windows, decks, fences, landscaping and exterior doors can be treated differently from one strata to another.

If accessibility matters, physically test the route from parking to the suite, elevator dimensions, entrance thresholds, bathroom layouts and any stairs rather than relying on a general description such as “senior friendly.”