Leaking bathroom from previous owner: Who is liable for damage?

By admin,

My bathroom tiles are leaking due to bad renovation by the previous owner, resulting in wall damage in the hallway and terrible mould in the bedroom wardrobe.

I’m not sure if they got strata permission…

If there is damage in the apartment downstairs, am I responsible?

Who pays when OC repairs cause damage inside a lot?

By admin,

The owners corporation engaged a company to repair our leaking shower. During the repair, the company damaged our shower screen. Their quote to the OC identified this might happen and that it would not be the company's responsibility. The OC accepted the quote and engaged the company but will not accept responsibility to fix the shower screen. My insurer says it's the OC's responsibility.

Recovering levy arrears on utility lots when they are sold

By admin,

Our strata scheme has several utility lots that can be sold separately from the habitable lots. The annual levy for these accessory lots is approximately $85 pa. An owner has paid no fees for over 5 years with an outstanding balance of more than $1,800, including interest, late fees, etc.

We have had situations in the past where the buyer did not obtain an owners corporation certificate regarding fees, resulting in drawn-out owners corporation legal costs. How can the committee ensure the arrears are addressed if the unit is sold?

Can strata charge a single lot for plumbing work on common property pipes?

By admin,

Our strata scheme has 8 units, with four lots per level. I live on the upper level. I reported loud water hammer noises in the roof space above my unit to the strata manager, who then engaged a plumber. The plumber attended the building about three times and invoiced the strata manager $1,760.

How unit entitlements and majority owners affect special resolution voting outcomes

By admin,

Six of the eight owners attended our AGM. A motion that the chair described as an “extraordinary vote” was put to the meeting. One owner, who holds 37% of the unit entitlements, voted against the motion. The other five owners present voted in favour, and the committee decided to proceed on the basis that the motion had passed.

Who is responsible for water damage caused by a faulty appliance in another strata lot?

By admin,

Water damage of a unit has been caused by a leak originating in an above unit due to a faulty appliance eg dishwasher hose and not common property like a service pipe. As the water travelled through common property, is the cost of the repairs or replacement to the damaged property and its contents the responsibility of the owners corporation (and its insurer) or the lot owner (insurer) of the above unit?

Who pays for common area damage after a hot water system bursts in a strata lot?

By admin,

The hot water system burst in our unit. Some of the water got out into the common area hallway. Who is responsible for the cost of repair to the common area carpet?

Our insurance company says we are only covered by landlord contents and therefore this should be covered by strata insurance. The strata company says that as it was a direct result of our hot water service, we are responsible for the cost of repair to the common area carpet.

Who is responsible for water damage from a leaking balcony in a NSW strata building?

By admin,

Our 12 unit building in Double Bay NSW was built in 1934.

The rainwater has penetrated the floor tiles of one of the top floor balconies. There is no cover over this balcony and it is open to the weather.

The rainwater has also penetrated through to the ceiling of unit below.

Who is liable for repairs? Is this an owners corporation responsibility or the lot owners of above unit?