Ms. Emily Carter, the strata manager for Strata Plan NW7777 in Prince George, has been asked to clarify how a utility bill for water usage is distributed among owners. The strata plan was developed in 1995 and has 60 residential units. Water is metered centrally for the entire building. The strata corporation's current bylaws state that utility costs are part of the operating budget. How should the water bill generally be apportioned among the owners?

Question: Ms. Emily Carter, the strata manager for Strata Plan NW7777 in Prince George, has been asked to clarify how a utility bill for water usage is distributed among owners. The strata plan was developed in 1995 and has 60 residential units. Water is metered centrally for the entire building. The strata corporation's current bylaws state that utility costs are part of the operating budget. How should the water bill generally be apportioned among the owners?

Answer options:

• Equally among all strata lots. ✅ Based on the unit entitlement of each strata lot.
• According to actual consumption measured by individual sub-meters in each strata lot.
• By a formula determined by the strata council on an annual basis.

Correct answer: Based on the unit entitlement of each strata lot.

Explanation: Section 99 of the Strata Property Act specifies that operating expenses, including utilities forming part of the operating budget, must be paid by owners in proportion to the unit entitlement of their strata lots.