I recently put forward some changes to our contract with our strata managing agent. They rejected the changes and told us they were preparing a new contract.
For strata contracts, what is a "fair term", and when is a term unfair?
Our strata building was built in 1968. I'm having trouble with foot traffic and floor-impact noise from the unit above vibrating through the concrete slab.
Our building doesn't have dropped ceilings to give any added protection. Is there a minimum carpet underlay density requirement that the upstairs owner must install to stop this noise from affecting my unit?
Our levies are going up significantly to boost our capital works fund, which has around $30,000 in it. Owners have just finished paying a special levy of $3,000 per quarter for other common property works.
I feel this is unreasonable, disproportionate and unfair. The block was built in the 1970s and work is needed, but smaller increases over time would be more sensible and manageable. Are increases like this justifiable, and what do you suggest?
I'm on our executive committee in the ACT, and I've been watching what's happening in NSW with the introduction of mandatory training for strata committee members.
I understand the NSW training is specific to that state. When might similar training, and a requirement for committee members to complete it, come to the ACT?
Our building manager's report is tabled at committee meetings. Should it also be circulated in full with the minutes?
Our committee has refused to let the body corporate manager upload these reports to the portal for owners to access.
We live in a rural community titles scheme, and each lot has an exclusive use area assigned to it. Our by-laws require owners to maintain any exclusive use area attached to their lot. Another by-law requires lots to be mowed to one height if there is a building on the lot, and to another height if there isn't.
One owner has let the grass on their exclusive use area grow up to one metre high, when it should be no more than 150mm. They have also planted trees over sewerage infrastructure on the exclusive use area without approval.
Many problems in strata governance, like committee members acting in their own interest or owners struggling to get a fair hearing, have persisted for decades despite previous legislative changes.