A strata-owned guest suite at a townhouse complex in Langford was allegedly used for sex work over several months, according to a complaint filed with the Civil Resolution Tribunal.

Complainants alleged that a townhouse owner continuously booked the common-property guest suite at Station Villa throughout 2016.

"The applicants say that by June 2016, they were concerned about his use of the guest suite and appearance of his guests occupying the suite," the tribunal wrote in its decision. "At that time, they did some investigation which indicated his guest was a sex worker who was actively using the guest suite to solicit and carry on her trade."

The complainants, who sit on the strata council themselves, also provided photographs, advertisements and web listings to back up their claims, according to the tribunal.

They alleged a man hired by the townhouse owner's guest was told by the woman "an old guy living in the complex had taken her in and provided her with the guest room to conduct her business."

Though the guest allegedly stayed in the suite for months on end, strata rules prohibit owners from using the suite for more than 14 days at a time.

The case prompted the strata council to change its rules surrounding use of the guest suite, such as increasing the cost for renting and revising the minimum and maximum stay lengths.

The owner argued that the evidence from the complainants relied on hearsay and speculation, and requested their claim be dismissed.

He also claimed he wasn't aware of his guest's "commercial activities" and was unaware of complaints about it.

In the end, the tribunal sided with the complainants and ruled that the owner should lose the right to use the common guest suite for one calendar year.

None of the allegations have been tested or proven in court.