# Three Strata Costs Rising for BC Stratas in 2026 > BC stratas face new and rising costs in 2026, from a PST expansion to a new electrical planning report. Here are three to plan for. Published: 2026-05-16 Author: Julian (OpenStrata Team) Topics: Strata councils, BC strata basics, Residents ## Key takeaways - From October 1, 2026, BC's 7% PST applies to services many stratas use, including accounting, engineering, and security. - Many stratas must obtain a new electrical planning report by the end of 2026 or 2028, a fresh compliance cost. - Reserve fund contributions are climbing for many stratas as depreciation reports push planning for major repairs. ## What is changing in 2026 BC stratas are facing several new or rising costs in 2026, and planning for them now avoids surprises at budget time. Three stand out: a PST expansion that adds tax to common strata services, a new electrical planning report many stratas must obtain, and rising contributions to reserve funds as buildings plan for major repairs. One piece of good news first: strata insurance premiums have actually eased in 2026, even though deductibles remain high. > Note: This article is general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Tax rules and deadlines can change and depend on your strata's circumstances, so confirm details with a qualified professional and the BC government's guidance. ## 1. New PST on strata services From October 1, 2026, BC's 7% PST applies to several professional services stratas commonly use. Accounting and bookkeeping, including your year-end review, and security services are taxed at the full 7%. Engineering services, including depreciation reports, are taxed at an effective rate of about 2.1%. For most residential stratas, the management fee itself is widely expected to stay exempt. We cover the details in [how the new PST could affect your strata's budget](https://openstrata.ca/blog/how-pst-affects-strata-budget-2026/index.md). ## 2. The electrical planning report Many BC stratas must now obtain an electrical planning report, a new required expense. For stratas in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and the Capital Regional District, the deadline is December 31, 2026; for the rest of BC, it is December 31, 2028. The report assesses your building's electrical capacity for things like EV charging and heat pumps, and only a qualified professional can prepare it. We explain it in [electrical planning reports for BC stratas](https://openstrata.ca/blog/strata-electrical-planning-report-bc-deadline/index.md). ## 3. Rising reserve fund contributions Across BC, many stratas are increasing contributions to their contingency reserve fund. Depreciation reports, which project the cost and timing of major repairs, are prompting councils to set aside more so that big-ticket items like roofs, building envelopes, and elevators are funded when the time comes. Underfunding simply pushes the cost into a future special levy, which is harder on owners. Planning ahead through the reserve fund spreads the cost more evenly. ## What about insurance Insurance is the exception to the upward trend. After several hard years, premiums have softened in 2026 for many well-maintained buildings. However, deductibles, especially for water damage, remain high, so a single claim can still be costly, and owners should keep personal coverage that matches the strata's deductible. See [what's happening with BC strata insurance in 2026](https://openstrata.ca/blog/bc-strata-insurance-2026/index.md). ## Planning with a clear picture Budgeting for several changes at once is easier when your strata's financial records, contracts, reports, and past budgets are in one place council can actually find them. OpenStrata keeps this information together, so council can plan the next budget with the full picture rather than piecing it together from email. It does not change any of these costs; it makes them easier to plan for. ## Questions and answers ### What new costs do BC stratas face in 2026? The main ones are the PST expansion on services like accounting, engineering, and security from October 1, 2026; a new electrical planning report due by the end of 2026 or 2028; and rising reserve fund contributions driven by depreciation reports. ### Do stratas have to pay PST in 2026? Stratas will pay PST on newly taxable services such as accounting, engineering, and security from October 1, 2026. For most residential stratas, the management fee itself is widely expected to remain exempt. ### Is strata insurance going up in 2026? Not for many buildings. Premiums have eased in 2026, though deductibles remain high. Insurance is a rare area of relief compared with other rising strata costs this year. ### How can a strata plan for rising costs? Build known changes into the operating budget and reserve fund planning early, keep good records so nothing is missed, and get professional advice for tax or engineering questions specific to your building. ## More from OpenStrata - [All BC strata guides](https://openstrata.ca/blog/index.md): Browse every published OpenStrata guide. - [OpenStrata features](https://openstrata.ca/features/index.md): See how the platform supports BC strata councils.