Unmaintained shower caused hallway damage — who pays, and how is the insurance claim handled?

By admin,

An owner of a unit ignored obvious grout issues in their shower. The shower is on the same wall as the hallway and the skirting in the hallway began to rot and crumble. 3 months ago, the cause of the leak and damage was established as the unsealed shower but the owner still hasn't carried out any repairs. The skirting damage continues to spread.

After watching this webinar with Tyrone Shandiman I have a few questions: Water Damage Insurance Claims.

Insurer offering cash settlement for storm damage repairs — should I accept?

By admin,

My strata title unit, along with several others in the complex, had internal water damage from leaking roofs following a weather event. I have paid to have the roof repaired. The Body Corporate Insurer panel builder quoted about 8 months ago on the cost to repair the internal damage. I have now been advised by the BC insurer that I will have to pay and organise to have the internal repairs completed myself and they will only reimburse me up to the amount as per the panel builder's quote. They are now imposing a limit on liability.

Must a body corporate disclose defect reports to their insurer at renewal?

By admin,

If an owner pays for building investigations following a defects inspection, should the initial Defects Report and any subsequent Reports be made available to the quantity surveyor commissioned to prepare the next Sinking Fund Forecast?

Does the body corporate have a duty to disclose these reports, and the identified risks, to their broker/insurer when renewing their insurance cover?

Lot owner ignored known water leaks causing common property damage — are they liable?

By admin,

A lot owner in our building (BFP) is aware they have water traps on their lot. They have leaky covers on rooftop access doors, plus a leaky and poorly constructed pergola on their exclusive use rooftop terrace. These items are not maintained or repaired so that they work properly to prevent water damage. The resultant water damage becomes the cost of all owners to fix. Can the owner be pursued for the cost of the resultant repairs?

Body corporate failed to maintain common property and caused flood damage — can I recover costs?

By admin,

During the February 2022 Brisbane floods, water entered my first-floor lot. It ruined the bamboo floor and caused the paint to bubble and peel on my interior walls.

The apparent cause was improperly sealed exterior roof flashing resulting in inundation in the double brick cavity and subsequent water penetration to my unit through the brick and concrete walls.

The building insurers won't cover the damage as floating floors are explicitly exempt from the policy.

Car written off due to blocked drain in apartment complex — is the body corporate liable?

By admin,

While my car was parked in a non-reserved space in our apartment complex it got damaged (written off) due to heavy rain overnight. The damage was caused by a drain in front of the car that was blocked by debris.

Is the body corporate liable for the damage to my car? If so, how do I approach the body corporate to get our car insurance excess covered?

Unauthorised renovations caused a leak — who pays the excess and will insurance investigate?

By admin,

Our body corporate has six duplexes / 12 units at ground level. Without approval, one lot owner appears to be renovating the interior of their unit.

The kitchen sink and hot water system have been removed. A leak in an internal wall flooded parts of the unit. The leak may have been due to the renovations.

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