Exterior electrical outlet

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The duty to repair and maintain an outside electrical socket is usually the strata's, but you would have to exercise some due diligence to be sure.

First, check your strata plan to confirm the strata lot and limited common property designations and boundaries. If you don't have the strata plan, make a s.36 request for a copy.

Second, read the definitions of common property and common expenses in s.1 of the SPA.

By taking those 2 steps you should be able to find your answer in the SPA, if you read it...

"common property" includes wires for electricity if they are located within a floor, wall or ceiling that forms a boundary between a strata lot and the common property, or if they are located wholly or partially within a strata lot if they are capable of being and intended to be used in connection with the enjoyment of the common property. READ THIS DEFINITION CAREFULLY! This is what makes it the strata's responsibility.

"common expenses" means expenses relating to the common property or required to meet any other purpose or obligation of the strata corporation.

s.72 says that The strata corporation must repair and maintain common property... READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY ALSO!

s.91 says, "The strata corporation is responsible for the common expenses of the strata corporation."

I went online to BC Laws and put the Table of Contents of the SPA in my Favorites for quick answers to most questions.

Having said all that, keep it simple. Follow the advice of others, and check the breakers in your panel and the reset button on the plug. If that doesn't fix it, you can report that result to the strata when you request repairs and you shouldn't have to worry about a chargeback to you.

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Well, in consideration of the s.6.9 of the SPR provision for user fees, I agree with NAME that attempting to offload strata responsibilities for CP with AOL's is unusally foolish and unjustified. If trying to offload the strata's responsibility with an AOL creates an electrical hazard or increased insurance risk, or if the agreement was induced by fraudulently misrepresenting the law, then the AOL could also be found to be an illegal, unenforceable contravention of the standard bylaw governing use of property. It could interfere with the strata's insurance coverage too if the building burns down.
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I disagree. The breaker may be an electrical service located wholly within a strata lot, but if it is used in connection with the enjoyment of the common property electrical outlet, that makes the breaker common property as defined in s.1 of the SPA, and the repair is a common expense that the strata is responsible for.

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Yes, if the issue is the breaker or reset button, and you didn't check those after being told, then the strata may be able to charge you for the plug repairs under s.133 of the SPA for creating a nuisance in contravention of the standard use of property bylaw. Common sense may be the best practice.

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An electrical outlet, water tap, building envelope, or retaining wall isn't the same as a patio in my opinion.

If the electrical outlet was designated on the strata plan as LCP, then the strata could pass a bylaw making it the responsibility of the unit owner.

Don't you think it would be foolish to do so though?

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