B.C. condo owner wins dispute over cockroach infestation [Video]

A B.C. condo owner who was blamed for a cockroach infestation in her building and charged thousands of dollars for the cost of eradicating the bugs must be refunded, the civil resolution tribunal ruled.

The dispute between Alanna Hurren and her strata was settled last week, with the tribunal finding Hurren should not have been made to foot the $4,588.50 pest control bill stemming from an infestation that began more than three years ago.

“In about early 2021, the strata became aware of complaints of cockroaches within some strata lots and asked a pest management company to treat them. The infestation grew to impact many strata lots resulting in a pest management company attending the strata many times throughout 2021 and 2022,” tribunal member Maria Montgomery wrote in her decision.

In B.C., the common assets of a condo building are owned by a strata corporation and managed by a strata council, which the tribunal noted in its decision – while also acknowledging …