While I appreciate the difficulty in writing articles like this: QLD Owner Improvements is knowing where to stop and what to leave out, I think it would be useful to do a follow-up about three additional issues regarding improvements/alterations:
If doors and windows are within the Owners Lot (not on common property), is the "minor improvement" value applicable? I understand the impact of adding a security entrance door to Lot Appearance which requires approval but I would like to add Crimsafe to all doors and windows of my lot (well over $3,000) in installed value. Why does a committee ordinary resolution determine my level of security?
Before moving into a townhouse, we have some maintenance and repairs to carry out within our unit. Do we need to get permission from our Body Corporate? We are looking to:-
I currently have an application with my Body Corporate Committee to install hard flooring in place of carpet. The bylaws state that hard flooring must be less than 62 dB and include soundproofing underlay with a 5mm thickness to be installed under any hard flooring.
We have bought into a complex of 5 at a popular beachside resort. An owner has started renovating his unit internally without Body Corporate permission. We are going into the school holiday season and have our unit rented back to back for the next 4 weeks. He has now sort permission and submitted a 10-week schedule to complete the renovation before Christmas.
Two owners are happy for him to go ahead, two owners (who holiday rent) want it suspended until after the school holidays. What can we do? Is an EGM the answer? Jackhammering is due to commence Monday!
As new body corporate owners, we are confused about how body corporate works. When asked about how we apply for a general lot alteration approval oor body corporate has stated that we need to lodge the application via their website and pay a $200 admin fee each time.
According to their website, this fee also applies to almost all other applications. Why can't we find out who is on the committee of our 8 townhouse body corporate and simply send them the application instead?
We live on the ground floor of a fifty-year-old, three-storey block on the Gold Coast.
The owners of the penthouse on level 3 want to retrofit a lift at their own expense because they are ageing. We feel this will compromise the integrity of the sea views and our building.
The penthouse owner said we are required by law to allow him to expedite the installation of a lift, giving them access to their unit. They currently access their unit by a staircase. Is this a legal requirement on behalf of all the other lot owners or can we refuse this request?
I recently purchased a 3 level townhouse in a small complex. We are self-managed by one of the three owners. The person undertaking the manager's role has split their lot into two units by enclosing part of the garage and office/bedroom on the ground floor, creating a separate unit with its own entrance, kitchen/living area, laundry, bathroom and bedroom. The owner now lets out the upstairs three-bedroom townhouse and the separate ground floor unit.