What are the owners corporation’s obligations when owners can’t agree on repairs?

By admin,

In our ocean-front building, the windows and doors are in varying states of repair. Some are functioning well, while others are beyond repair and need replacement. Some owners want to replace only the broken windows and doors as needed, ensuring the replacements match the building’s appearance. Others believe we should replace all windows and doors at once to maintain a uniform look.

Who keeps a strata scheme's tax records — the strata manager or tax agent?

By admin,

We are a small three-lot strata scheme and have always lodged nil tax returns. I asked our strata manager to lodge a final return so we could stop future filings and save on annual accountancy and strata preparation fees. The accounting firm, which is partly owned by our strata manager, initially refused to lodge the final return.

Can strata introduce by-laws to control noise from residents working from home?

By admin,

With more people working from home, I've noticed a significant increase in white noise, especially in summer when balcony doors are open. I can hear residents' conversations and even their work calls for hours at a time. I often overhear private discussions while sitting on my balcony. Can strata complexes introduce restrictions or bylaws about working from home to address these noise and privacy concerns in buildings with shared walls?

Is Parliament doing enough to protect strata owners from industry power imbalances?

By admin,

Given the significant power and knowledge imbalance between strata owners and the professionals they engage, such as strata managers, building managers, and contractors, are existing legal principles sufficient to ensure fairness? Should the law be modified to better protect strata owners and help achieve more equitable outcomes?

Who pays for repairs to a leaking internal pipe in a townhouse?

By admin,

Our strata consists of three townhouses (units A, B, and C). Units A and B share an adjoining wall, as do units B and C. A leaking pipe in the downstairs ceiling of unit C has caused damage above a wardrobe located between the bedroom and garage. The pipe services only unit C.

As the boundary of each townhouse is the external perimeter, is the space between the ground floor ceiling and the upper level considered common property or part of the lot? Who is responsible for repairing the damage caused by the leak?

Should the owners corporation delegate all functions to the strata manager?

By admin,

We are about to renew our strata management agreement, and a motion in the AGM agenda states:

"(b) The owners corporation delegate to the agent all its functions (other than those listed in section 52-2 of the Act) and all the functions of its chairperson, secretary, treasurer, and strata committee."

If the owners corporation delegates all functions to the strata manager, what effect does this have on the office bearers and committee members? Can the strata manager override their decisions?

What are my options if the owners corporation won't repair common property?

By admin,

The dividing fence between my lot and my neighbour's property, which is a separate free-standing house not part of our scheme, is in an extreme state of disrepair. The owners corporation has scheduled the repairs for six years, which I find unacceptable. What can I do to have the work completed sooner?

Can owners start renovations before a by-law is registered?

By admin,

After the relevant renovation by-law is passed by special resolution at a general meeting, can an owner begin renovations before the by-law is registered with the Land Registry Services (LRS)? The owner has been advised that work can start if they agree to take responsibility for any associated costs. Is this correct?

What can owners do if the committee makes decisions outside of formal meetings?

By admin,

Our committee operates without transparency and avoids holding proper meetings. I want to ensure the committee makes decisions through formal meetings and records them in the minutes so owners can clearly see the decisions made and who voted for them. How can I require the committee to follow this process without slowing down decision-making?