We have a standard by-law regarding pets. A VOC fee was levied by the body corporate manager (BCM) unless the matter could be decided at a usual meeting.
Historically, fees were paid by all owners. That was considered unfair. The general principle is more relevant than the amount involved. Some feel that all owners should not pay for something that is personal to one owner.
A decision was made that the respective owner should bear any fees.
The owners corporation sent a plumber to investigate a leak in my bathroom, and the plumber reported that the waterproofing had failed. They repaired the same bathroom in 2017 after a previous leak and installed new waterproofing.
Our Strata management company is slow to act. If they act, they rarely help solve council of owners'(CoO) conflicts.
Ongoing mould issues have not been resolved by the strata management company despite numerous requests for action. As a member of the CoO, I know we have requested the manager find contractors to fix the defects.
A valid resolution, detailed on the AGM notice of meeting, was passed unanimously by attending owners. The incoming council of owners (COO) decided not to act on the resolution.
Does the COO have the right to ignore the vote because they disagree with the outcome? Should resolutions that comply with the Act and by-laws passed at meetings of owners be regarded as COO instructions?
I have recently moved into a block of units in SA and have two Questions:
My building inspection revealed that a party wall is lacking in the ceiling space between my unit and the neighbouring unit. According to my building inspector, this is not up to current fire safety regulations and standards.
I asked this to be repaired and was essentially ‘fobbed off’ by the strata employee who simply said: "no buildings of this age are up to regulation standards". I was concerned about liability issues so I made direct inquiries with the Strata with insurance providers.
NSW Fire and Rescue currently regards electric vehicles as “special hazards”. How did they reach this conclusion?
Is it compulsory to have a fire installation/certification performed after installing electrical vehicle charging hardware? The current national construction code in the 2025 draft does not mention electric vehicles as special hazards. However, fire sprinklers must be installed in a new building if there are over 40 vehicles present, regardless of their traction type.
Our unit is located in a designated fire zone that requires special gauze screens on the windows. Are repairs to the windows and these screens the responsibility of the owners corporation, or should the lot owner bear the cost?
Our resident manager has been arranging services for residents (e.g., aircon servicing, pest control) without disclosing that they are receiving a commission from the suppliers.
Is it within the Code of Conduct for the Caretaker Manager to be accepting these commissions without disclosure?
This has made us wonder whether the resident managers have also been getting any kickbacks from suppliers for materials and services to the Body Corporate they are sourcing on our behalf.
My mother's body corporate is trying to enforce a rule that all resident's outdoor patio furniture be the same colour, even if the furniture is not visible to other residents. Any residents with white, black or grey furniture are in breach. Is this legal or fair?