• Read more about Does a proxy prohibition still apply after changing regulation modules?
• Add new comment

At our AGM in 2001, owners passed a special resolution to prohibit all proxy voting at general meetings. At the time, our scheme operated under the BCCM Standard Module Regulations. The resolution has never been rescinded or replaced by a new special resolution.

In 2022, owners approved the adoption of the BCCM Accommodation Module Regulations. Does the 2001 special resolution prohibiting proxy voting still apply now that the scheme has moved from the Standard Module to the Accommodation Module?

• Read more about Do you need a by-law to bill water based on sub-meter readings?
• Add new comment

We are a complex of 15 single-storey units with individual water sub-meters and a main meter. The council reads the sub meters and main meter every two months and gives the readings to our strata manager for billing and payment to the Water Corporation.

We'd prefer the strata manager charge each owner based on their sub-meter usage. A recent leak in one lot increased that lot's usage and pushed the Water Corporation bill into a higher tier. Our unit entitlements are equal, and the strata manager spread the higher-tier cost across all owners.

• Read more about Who can organise online voting in an owners corporations?
• Add new comment

I have heard that owners corporations can vote using an online voting link instead of a paper ballot. How does an owners corporation set up online voting? Is the voting link only provided through the strata manager, or can lot owners access it directly?

Who can access the electronic voting results? Is it common for strata managers to charge an extra fee to set up and run online voting?

• Read more about Which Regulation Module applies to my body corporate?
• Add new comment

• Read more about Can a strata committee recover overspending through a no debate email vote?
• Add new comment

I live in a six unit over 55s strata scheme in NSW. Our strata committee overspent the administrative fund budget, and the treasurer stated the owners corporation was insolvent.

The strata manager then issued a notice to hold a general meeting by “other means”, which in this case was an email vote. The notice only allowed owners to tick a box to approve or disapprove the motion. It did not provide an opportunity to discuss how the amount was calculated, what it would fund, or how to avoid a repeat of the overspending.

• Read more about Can owners challenge a $90k security upgrade approved at an AGM?
• Add new comment

At the recent AGM, a motion was passed to spend $90K+ on a security upgrade, which includes a sizeable special levy to raise some of the funds. No details about the cost estimate or scope of works were provided to owners.

• Read more about Are council of owners decisions made by majority vote?
• Add new comment

• Read more about Can a council of owners restrict access through a fire door for security reasons?
• Add new comment

Recently, we had a break-in into our underground garage. It looks like they gained access through the fire escape door on the street level and descended down the steps into the garage. They stole a number of items over 2 hours. The door on the street is accessible by key. The lock on this door has been changed and the strata council have denied new keys to owners. This is inconvenient as the access is next to the bin room so you would normally put your rubbish in the bin and then use the access door to descend into the garage.

• Read more about Can a strata company maintain a lot owner’s garden at shared cost without a by-law?
• Add new comment

Our 5 lot Strata company maintains Lot No 2 roses. The roses are not on common property. This item has been raised at our annual general meeting as to who’s responsibility it is to maintain the roses, as the roses have been considered part of the entry statement.

The cost to maintain these roses is excessive. Owners are required to decide on whether the strata company maintains the roses or not. If yes, we are strongly encouraged to lodge a by-law. I was the owner who raised concerns and I'm worried I will be outvoted. I am a new owner.

• Read more about Can a strata scheme charge residents to use common property washing machines?
• Add new comment

Our scheme has washing machines. Over time the strata company has introduced and now increased the price of using the machines. The maintenance of the machines has been outsourced to a contractor.

When I purchased my unit there was no mention of any additional costs above my levies. There is no bylaw about additional costs associated with the washing machines.

Can residents be charged a fee to use items of common property? Where can I find information about the decision making process to adopt this practice in our building?