What the software actually does
Strata management software is a digital tool that helps a strata corporation keep its documents, communication, requests, meetings, and records in one place. Instead of important information living across personal inboxes, paper binders, and scattered folders, the strata gets one reliable home for it. The goal is simple: less repetitive admin for council, and one dependable place for residents to find answers and submit requests.
Who uses it in a BC strata
In British Columbia, the people who touch this kind of tool include:
Volunteer council members, who handle documents, meetings, and decisions.
Owners, who need notices, financial statements, bylaws, and the depreciation report.
Residents, including tenants, who submit maintenance requests and look up community information.
Professional strata managers, in cases where a strata works with one.
Common features to expect
Tools vary, but most aim to cover a similar core. Typical features include a document library with clear versions, a way to post and store notices for meetings, request tracking so nothing is lost, a searchable record that survives council turnover, and permissions so the right people see the right things. Good tools work from a phone browser without forcing residents to download an app.
How it differs from email and drives
Email and shared drives store messages and files, but they do not organize information around the tasks people actually need to complete. Requests get buried in threads, the current version of a document is hard to identify, and knowledge walks out the door when a council member steps down. We cover this comparison in detail in a dedicated strata portal versus email and Google Drive.
How it differs from property tools
Property management software is generally built around a management company's operations, such as managing many buildings, billing, and back-office accounting across a portfolio. Strata management software is built around a single strata community and the people in it. The two can coexist, but they answer different questions. If your strata runs without a management company, see our guide to the best software for a self-managed strata.
Does every strata need it?
Not every strata needs dedicated software, and a very small, stable building may get by with simple tools. The case grows stronger as a strata gets larger, as council turns over, or as owners start asking for documents the council struggles to locate quickly. OpenStrata is a BC-focused strata management platform for volunteer councils, owners, and residents, designed around the way a strata actually works.
Frequently asked questions
Trying to make strata management easier?
OpenStrata helps councils organize documents, requests, notices, and resident communication in one place.
Note: This article is general information only and is not legal advice. For legal questions, consult a qualified strata lawyer or the relevant BC government resources.