Body corporate spending limits - What are they and when do they apply?

By admin,

A recent proposal from the strata committee chair and secretary in our community title scheme has sparked some debate. They've proposed a motion for the committee to pre-approve a set amount they could spend without needing approval.

The justification for this is to allow for a quicker response in emergencies. However, some owners feel strongly that all spending decisions, regardless of urgency, should be discussed and voted on by the committee.

When the Committee isn't Acting Appropriately

By admin,

I recently joined our 7-member strata committee. There are 14 units in the block. Previously, there has been zero transparency around decisions affecting us all.

We have a committee meeting soon. I asked for an agenda to be prepared and for minutes to be recorded and shared. I was told, "We don't do it that way here." The secretary does not appear to take responsibility for calling or recording meetings.

Individual and Shared Water Meters for Apartments

By admin,

Our two units are not separately metered. One unit has four residents, and the other unit has two residents. We are a self-managed body corporate in Queensland. Can we split the water usage costs based on the number of residents in each unit? Can the unit with four residents be charged a higher proportion of the water usage bill than the lot with only two residents?

How To Find Units With Low Body Corporate Fees

By admin,

I’m a new lot owner and have joined the Body Corp Committee. I am trying to save money for the complex and I feel we are paying too much towards the administrative fund.

We pay over $33,000 annually for 17 townhouses. We also pay $11,300 annually into the sinking fund. We have an outdoor swimming pool, otherwise, all other costs are general maintenance fees.

Oppressive or Unreasonable Strata Bylaws

By admin,

We want to purchase a lot in a building with timber plantation shutters to significant parts of the property. The by-laws state that, to preserve the outdoor appearance of the buildings, the shutters cannot be replaced by glass louvres or windows. During inclement weather or overnight, residents have no choice but to close the shutters, making it unreasonably dark and more conducive to mould growth, especially during current wet conditions.

The Lookupstrata Team

By admin,

The Lookupstrata Team publishes articles written by Lookupstrata rather than an individual guidance partner. This includes commentary on major industry news and investigations, updates on legislation and regulatory change, broader educational guides that draw on multiple sources rather than one specialist's expertise, and republished media releases from the industry, credited to their original source at the end of each article.
 

Joshua Klemm

By admin,

With a career spanning more than three decades in property, construction and development, Joshua supports strata communities across Victoria, South Australia, the Northern Territory, the ACT, and New Zealand as part of Lannock Strata Finance. He helps Owners Corporations fund essential works - repairs, renovations, cladding and defect rectification, and major capital upgrades - and takes pride in helping committees and strata managers make informed, collective decisions that benefit their common property for the long term.

Richard Claus

By admin,

With over 10 years' experience supplying the body corporate sector, Richard has built a strong reputation for collaboration, problem-solving, and genuine client engagement, along with long-standing relationships across the strata industry. His background spans the full project lifecycle - from early-stage design and commercial structuring through to long-term operational support - giving him a deep understanding of the financial, regulatory, and practical challenges strata stakeholders face.

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