Two lot owners took cash settlements after hail damage but haven't done the repairs — what can the owners corporation do?

By admin,

Our insurance cover allows lot owners to receive a cash settlement for their claims. All six units in our class B building were recently damaged in a hail storm. Two of the units opted for a cash settlement of their claim. The damages are not that extensive. The lots are liveable, and some repairs are cosmetic.

These two units with cash settlements have not carried out any of the repairs listed in their scope of work. Are the damaged but unrepaired parts of their units still insured?

Is running an AGM as an informal meeting with no agenda, no minutes and no call for submissions compliant with the legislation?

By admin,

Since the last AGM in September, our Secretary has not called General Meeting although a good deal of subjects have arisen.

Re our next AGM, our Secretary/Treasurer has followed a procedure of what he calls An Informal Meeting. They will bring forward spreadsheets regarding Finances etc. whilst we make decisions at the meeting. The Strata Manager's view is that we don’t need to take Minutes / Record Decisions.

Balcony doors damaged by strong winds seven months ago — is it acceptable to wait for insurance before making repairs?

By admin,

I own a Strata apartment in Sydney which was built in 2013. My apartment is on the top floor (level 4) and balcony doors & shutters were damaged in strong winds back in February 2020. The sliding balcony doors, although very heavy, were pushed inwards off their track in the wind and were jammed shut. Nothing has been done to secure these doors and I get very frightened every time we have strong winds.

Concrete spalling repairs in one unit are costing the owners corporation $200,000 — is this fair and can liability be limited?

By admin,

I am the owner/ occupier and Strata Committee Member of a 4 bedroom unit in a block of 12 units. Within the scheme, there are also some 2 bedroom units.

Last year, a 2 bedroom unit was sold. During renovations by the new owner, concrete cancer was found.

The Strata Manager engaged an engineer. Coring samples were taken and the report showed extensive concrete spalling.

We have been informed that, for this flat alone, the owners corporation must pay for:

Does the owners corporation need to pass a resolution to replace floor tiles removed during common property repairs?

By admin,

In NSW, do owners corporations need to hold a meeting and pass a resolution to replace something that existed on the common property and was removed? For example, floor tiles on stairs were removed so that cracks in the concrete could be repaired.

Who is responsible for repairing a pipe that passes through common property but only services one unit?

By admin,

Our strata building of 6 was built in the late 60's. There is a hot water pipe under the ground floor (common property) servicing one single unit and it appears to have a leak according to tradesmen renovating the unit.

This pipe services only that unit and no other unit taps into it. Who is responsible for repairing a pipe that passes through common property, but only services one unit?

Why must lot owners subsidise repairs to common property such as balustrades and car stackers they don't use?

By admin,

We recently had a Special Levy passed to replace Balustrades on balconies in our Strata Block.

We own 2 ground floor units and therefore do not have balconies, let alone balustrades.

The total of our Special Levies for the two lots is almost $7000. Should we be exempt from this Levy?

We applied for Mediation, but the Owners Corporation were not interested, so we have made an application to NCAT for a hearing.

Are we correct in not wanting to pay for something that doesn't affect or benefit us?

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