In our complex, one owner wants to install privacy panels on or around the common property pool fence permanently for personal comfort. Are owners allowed to add privacy screens to common property, or would that be considered taking privacy too far?
In my strata plan, the strata committee and strata manager have delegated the authority to engage contractors, such as electricians and plumbers, to the building manager. I’m concerned this arrangement could create opportunities for corruption or secret commissions. What safeguards are in place to prevent this between the building manager and contractors, and does the legislation address these potential conflicts of interest?
We have a three-lot strata scheme with one resident parking space and two visitor spaces. The tenant of one unit regularly uses the resident space and, when it's occupied, parks in a visitor space. Sometimes, unit 2's visitors use both visitor spaces. During these times, one lot fills all available parking spaces.
We've asked the tenant politely to have at least one visitor park on the street, but they've ignored this. What would be an amicable and practical way to resolve this ongoing parking problem?
I own one side of a duplex. Our roof covers both sides, and I've recently noticed water damage on the other side's fascia. When I raised this with the other owner, they were dismissive, saying it looks ok and they'll 'get around to it later'. I'm worried this delay will cause further damage or affect our insurance.
If we don't fix the issue quickly, could the insurer reject a future claim or even refuse to renew our policy next year because of the unrepaired defect? If the repair is not done before we renew, do we need to disclose this to the insurer?
Do short-term stays impact the insurance of a building under an owners corporation, stratum title, or company share structure? If Airbnb or similar short-term rentals are known to be happening, does the building manager or committee have a duty to inform the insurer?
Our body corporate needs to take out a large loan of around $500,000 to cover unexpected maintenance costs, with repayments to be made through a loan levy. The treasurer introduced the loan to the financial institution and intends to take a rolling commission from the loan over the 20-year term, regardless of whether they remain on the committee.
Under the standard module, is a committee allowed to delegate responsibilities to a caretaking service contractor, such as authorising them to seek legal advice, if that task isn’t specified in the caretaker’s agreement?
If such delegation is allowed, does it need to be approved by a formal committee resolution, and would that resolution continue to apply to future committees?
I live in a complex of eight units and want to install ceiling fans in my apartment. The electrician advised that I need to upgrade my switchboard to include a safety switch and single pole circuit breaker before he can install fans. Are electrical upgrades my responsibility as the lot owner, or are they covered by the body corporate?
I live in Brisbane and installed a fold-out clothesline on my level 4 balcony about five years ago. It’s colour-matched to the building and not visible from the street, obscured by trees and the façade. The clothesline only became an issue when it appeared in a photo on a real estate listing. At a recent committee meeting, the main concern the committee raised was that others might follow my example, even though many units already have portable clotheslines clearly visible from the street. The strata manager seemed unsure if anything could ultimately be done.
At a recent committee meeting, a unit owner who is also a committee member was asked to leave for 20 minutes while other members discussed a matter. When allowed back into the meeting, the committee did not explain the discussion's content and said the excluded member would find out from the meeting minutes. Is it permissible for a committee to exclude a member in this way and withhold information discussed during that time?