• Read more about Who pays when the owners corporation fixes a lot owner's property by mistake?
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In July 2024, my strata manager approved a work order to replace the exhaust fans in my unit, advising that the fans were common property. A new strata manager has now contacted me to say this was an error and that, as the lot owner, the fans are my responsibility. They're asking me to reimburse the cost of the work.

I didn't see the quote or the cost, nor did I authorise the work. If I knew I was responsible, I would have used my own contractor. Do they have any grounds to recover the cost from me now?

• Read more about Does a deed poll allow an owner to commence renovations before the by-law is registered?
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At our recent AGM, all owners except us voted to approve a major renovation above our lot, allowing work to commence before the renovation by-law is registered. The strata manager said this was permitted because the building’s lawyer had prepared a deed poll authorising early commencement, though we later learned they had signed it after the meeting.

• Read more about How can elderly owners without email return voting papers for electronic meetings?
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Our building has several elderly owners who don't use email or computers and can't scan documents. They receive their voting papers by post, but with ongoing mail delivery issues, they've asked to hand-deliver a hard copy instead. The secretary lives off-site, so owners can't hand-deliver the papers, and we hold all meetings electronically. Can these owners complete their papers and place them in the secretary's or body corporate mailbox? If the secretary can't collect them, can they authorise the chairperson to retrieve, scan, and forward them to the strata manager for inclusion?

• Read more about Should the strata committee repair or replace an unsafe external door to meet safety standards?
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My back external door has a cardboard centre. It has deteriorated in bad weather, and I believe it is a serious fire hazard and a security risk. The door could be easily broken into. I don’t feel safe in my own home.

The strata committee want to patch the door rather than replace it with something more suitable for an external door. Is this acceptable, or are they required to install a proper external door that meets fire and safety standards?

• Read more about The owners corporation can decide to replace common property
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My large tiled balcony is classified as common property. Strata wants to replace it, but there’s no evidence of leaks, either into my unit or the unit below. Although the balcony is old, a qualified builder has assessed it as sound, and the waterproof membrane appears intact. Can owners be compelled to have a common property balcony replaced under these circumstances?

• Read more about Options when one owner cannot pay for necessary strata repairs
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We are a strata corporation of four units. Our insurer has advised that the property will not be covered unless the asbestos roof tiles are replaced. All owners agree the work must be done, but one owner is non-financial and may not be able to pay their share. What options are available to ensure the roof replacement proceeds and the building remains insured?

• Read more about Balcony water ingress insurance claims: evidence-based repairs and your appeal options
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Our apartment flooded due to water entering from the balcony area, damaging the floorboards and the wall. After several inspections, including a leak test, an inspector determined that the issue came from defective door joinery rather than the balcony membrane. We repaired and resealed the balcony as advised before submitting our insurance claim.

• Read more about Should strata managers challenge a committee on poor governance and non-compliance?
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Our strata manager is responsive but avoids challenging the committee on questionable decisions or governance issues. Should a strata manager take a more proactive role in advising the committee and ensuring compliance with legislation, even if it creates tension?

• Read more about Can a body corporate manager lobby owners to influence committee elections?
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Can a body corporate manager lobby owners to nominate for the committee? In our scheme, the manager has a close relationship with the existing committee. New owners have been approached to join the committee to maintain the current like-minded and compliant people. Is this appropriate or allowed under the legislation?

• Read more about If our strata manager refuses to sign the Form 33, who can sign it?
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We are selling our apartment in a small block of six and have completed the Form 33 using information sourced from the strata manager’s records. However, the strata manager has refused to sign the form. The guide states that the form must be signed by someone authorised by the body corporate, with the committee voting to decide who that is.