Are you a strata council member, property manager, or condo owner struggling to manage difficult personalities in your building? This episode features experienced strata lawyer Phil Dougan (Citadel Law) in conversation with Thomas Beattie (OctoAI), diving deep into the best practices, legal considerations, and real-life strategies for handling bullies, hoarders, and other challenging owners in BC strata communities.Key topics covered:- Types of problem owners and the psychology behind their behavior- Step-by-step legal process for bylaw enforcement (Section 135)- Why rigorous documentation and due process protect your council- The difference between powers and duties – and why it matters- Tips for balancing firm enforcement with fairness and empathy- How proactive leadership and preventative legal advice can save thousands- When to escalate to the CRT or Supreme Court for injunctions- Compassionate approaches to issues like hoarding or mental illnessLearn how council members can enforce bylaws effectively, uphold their duty of care, and create a safe, supportive community—without endless litigation or burnout.LEARN MORE► Discover OctoAI’s strata intelligence solutions: https://octoai.com/► Learn more about Citadel Law: https://citadellawyers.ca/

Get ready to rethink everything you know about strata general meetings, because the future is hybrid, and it's already here. Join Ryan Grant of Property Flute and Thomas Beattie of OctoAI for a session packed with eye-opening stories, actionable tips, and a few hard truths about why the "old way" of gathering just doesn't cut it anymore. Ryan will reveal what it takes to run meetings that are secure, transparent, and actually get people engaged, whether they're sitting in the room or dialing in from the beach.Learn how hybrid governance brings councils and owners together (no, really!), hear case studies from BC stratas already thriving on this model, and step-by-step advice to make your next AGM painless for every participant and those running the show. It’s not just evolution. It’s a revolution in how strata communities make decisions, connect, and build trust. Join us and help lead the change!LEARN MORE► Discover OctoAI’s strata intelligence solutions: https://octoai.com/► Learn more about Property Flute: https://propertyflute.ca/

Join Kelly McFadyen of Condominium Lending Group and Thomas Beattie, CEO of OctoAI, for a candid conversation on how condo loans can provide a path to funding projects...without the need for special levies.Kelly brings deep experience in navigating financing options for strata communities, while Thomas offers a forward-looking perspective on how data and technology are reshaping decision-making in condo governance. Together, they’ll explore how loans are another tool to help communities tackle major repairs, upgrades, or energy initiatives while spreading costs fairly and protecting liquidity.If you’re a council member, strata manager, or owner looking for practical alternatives to levies, this discussion will show you how to align project financing with long-term planning and community stability.LEARN MORE► Discover OctoAI’s strata intelligence solutions: https://octoai.com/► Learn more about Condominium Lending Group: https://condolending.com/

Who’s really in charge, your strata council or your strata manager? Too often the lines get blurry, and that’s when conflicts, delays, and headaches begin.Join Sean Jordan, founder of StrataPress, and Thomas Beattie, CEO of OctoAI, for a webinar that clears the air on “who does what” in strata governance. You’ll get straight answers on council authority versus manager responsibilities, plus real-world tips to prevent role confusion and keep things running smoothly.This session helps you:- Avoid common power struggles and misunderstandings- Set clear boundaries while building collaboration- Improve communication, transparency, and trust across your communityPlus, the Top 5 complaints from strata managers on how strata council's treat them!If you’ve ever wondered where a manager’s role ends and a council’s begins, this is your chance to get clarity and walk away with tools to make your strata work better.LEARN MORE► Discover OctoAI’s strata intelligence solutions: https://octoai.com/► Learn more about StrataPress: https://stratapress.com/

Insurance premiums for strata properties don’t have to be a mystery. Paul Murcutt, Senior Vice-President at BFL CANADA Realty, joins Thomas Beattie of OctoAI for an actionable look at how your strata can position itself as a preferred risk, directly impacting insurance costs and coverage flexibility.Drawing from the expertise of British Columbia’s largest strata insurance broker, this session delivers:- Practical checklists for fire safety, water damage prevention, seasonal maintenance, and incident reporting that make proactive management easier.- How consistent inspections, transparent incident reporting systems, and clear property management policies can reduce overlooked risks and defend your claims.- Savings opportunities such as BFL's Flowguard program, which offers discounted premiums if water detection and shutoff systems are installed.- The benefits of stakeholder engagement and creating a culture of prevention, accountability, and shared responsibility throughout your building community.- Documentation best practices that help strata councils negotiate better insurance terms and stand out in a competitive insurance marketplace.- Critical seasonal strategies that keep your strata prepared and resilient.Whether you’re on strata council, your condo board, a property manager, or an engaged owner, this session will deliver clear, actionable tips to foster long-term peace of mind, lower your insurance costs, and help your condo community reduce risk and cost.LEARN MORE► Discover OctoAI’s strata intelligence solutions: https://octoai.com/► Learn more about BFL CANADA Realty: https://www.bflcanada.ca/real-estate-insurance-services/

Unlock the secrets to building successful vendor relationships in the strata management world! 🎉 Join us as we chat with Jaclyn Jeffrey, a writer and former strata manager with insider insights on how vendors can connect effectively with busy strata managers, stand out with authentic communication, and win council approvals smoothly.In this video, you'll learn:✅ What a strata manager really does behind the scenes✅ How to approach and communicate with strata managers like a pro✅ Why price isn’t always the key — value and trust matter more✅ Proven tips on making your vendor proposals shine✅ How to handle follow-ups without being pushy✅ The importance of reliability, humor, and genuine connections✅ Real-world stories and lessons from the strata trenchesWhether you're a vendor looking to grow your strata business or just curious about how these complex relationships work, this video will give you valuable tips and perspectives to succeed in this unique industry.LEARN MORE► Discover OctoAI’s strata intelligence solutions: https://octoai.com/► Jaclyn Jeffrey: https://www.harddeparture.com/

Join Thomas Beattie of OctoAI and Adam Enns, Senior Account Executive at Integrity Risk Reduction, for an in-depth exploration of water leak detection technologies and their critical role in protecting strata properties from costly water damage.In this video, Adam shares his extensive experience deploying advanced leak detection systems in residential and strata buildings, including real-world examples of how these solutions prevent significant losses and improve insurance outcomes. Learn about flow sensors, rope sensors, automatic shutoff valves, and innovations like Leak Shield for plumbing pipe protection.By the end of this video, you’ll understand the causes behind common water leaks, the technology options available, how these systems integrate into strata buildings, and the insurance and financial benefits they provide. Whether you manage a strata or reside in one, this webinar offers essential insights on reducing risk, protecting property values, and enhancing peace of mind.LEARN MORE► Discover OctoAI’s strata intelligence solutions: https://octoai.com/► Integrity Risk Reduction: https://www.integrityriskreduction.com/► Learn more about Leak Shield Technology: https://leacshield.com/

Jonathan Fenn of Reserve Sense joins Thomas Beattie of OctoAI to discuss depreciation reports. Whether you are an owner, buyer, strata council member, property manager or Realtor, learn about the red flags and what you need to know. Jonathan is a domain expert, having been course author at UBC and worked in the field for a decade as Certified Reserve Planner and Consultant. He is now revolutionizing how Reserve Fund Studies are ordered, created, and utilized. What you don't know, might cost you!

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► Discover OctoAI’s strata intelligence solutions: https://octoai.com/

► Learn more about Reserve Sense: https://www.reservesense.com/