BC Tribunal Dismisses Noise Claim but Awards $1,192 in Two-Year Neighborhood Basketball Hoop Dispute

A British Columbia homeowner has been awarded $1,192.34 following a protracted two-year neighborhood dispute over a shared alleyway basketball hoop, info.vanpeople.com reported.

Tribunal Rejects Noise Claims Over Alleyway Hoop

The dispute began in May 2022 when a resident installed a portable basketball hoop in the shared rear lane behind two adjacent residential units so local children could play. An adjoining homeowner objected to the installation, filing a claim with the Civil Resolution Tribunal against both the neighbor and the strata management committee. The complaining resident sought $5,000 in compensation for property damage, safety hazards, and noise disturbance, alongside an order to have the hoop removed.

During the proceedings, the strata management committee defended the setup, noting that children only played during daytime hours and that the heavy base prevented the structure from tipping over while remaining easily movable in an emergency. Another resident confirmed that other neighbors raised no objections to the equipment. In examining the noise allegations, the tribunal noted that reasonable people living in multi-family housing developments must expect normal sounds of children playing. Video footage submitted from a doorbell camera captured standard basketball bouncing and children’s voices rather than excessive disturbances. Consequently, the tribunal dismissed the $5,000 compensation demand for noise and alleged property damage.

Strata Rule Violations and Unfairness Findings

Despite dismissing the noise complaints, the tribunal ruled in favor of the applicant on two specific counts.

The final monetary judgment of $1,192.34 breaks down into $1,000 awarded as damages for significant unfairness stemming from the strata’s inaction, with the remaining balance covering related tribunal filing and administrative fees. Despite the applicant succeeding on the obstruction and bylaw enforcement issues, the tribunal declined to issue an order forcing the neighboring family to dismantle or remove the basketball hoop from the alleyway.