Can owners demand urgent plumbing repairs from the body corporate when roof leaks threaten an apartment sale?

By admin,

We are in the process of selling our apartment The purchaser instigated a building report. The report came back showing water damage in the ceiling on the top floor which is coming from the roof and water damage on the wall in the laundry.

We are waiting for the body corporate manager to arrange for a plumber to inspect the roof, however, we have had a specialist plumber inspect the laundry and they have found that it is an external issue whereby there is a major leak in the common downpipe and awning which is permeating the concrete into our apartment.

Who pays for flooring removal and replacement after moisture issues in a concrete slab and is it covered by strata insurance?

By admin,

My duplex has tiled floors covered by self-levelling concrete and hybrid flooring. The hybrid flooring has been pulled up because the concrete slab holds too much moisture. If we have to remove the self-leveller and tiles and a moisture barrier put in place before relaying the hybrid flooring, who is responsible for this cost? Can we claim these costs on strata insurance?

Does a body corporate have a duty to investigate suspected waterproofing failure in a planter box causing water damage?

By admin,

Our scheme has a large, 20 year old concrete planter box sitting on the common property podium with the original waterproofing membrane. There is no doubt the body corporate is responsible for maintaining the box in good condition.

The elastomeric paint on the walls immediately below the box is continually blistering in many spots. The blisters leak water when pierced. The basement car park immediately below these walls has water running into it. The seepage is causing damage.

What should a body corporate committee do after an engineer recommends major footing remediation works

By admin,

Following observations of external wall cracking, the committee enlisted an engineer to inspect all lots and provide a report. This report details the requirement for remediation of footings to at least two of the six lots and recommendations for preventive actions.

Are lot owners responsible for maintaining water pressure limiting valves inside their units in high-rise buildings?

By admin,

Our building is 30 levels high, and the hot water system is on the top level. The system is recirculating, so there is no hot water pressure reduction valve on the building infrastructure like on the cold water infrastructure. Pressure limiting valves have been installed on each lot from level 10 down. Are these limiting valves the responsibility of each owner? They are inside the lot boundary even though they replace what would be on the building infrastructure.

Who is responsible for investigating and repairing storm water damage from balcony leaks in a strata unit?

By admin,

Our 8 year old complex has 10 units. After the Boxing Day storm, water entered a unit through a large gap between the balcony skirting tiles and the balcony wall and through multiple long cracks on both the balcony wall ledges' interior and exterior sides. The unit now has water stains in the downstairs bedroom. Is the investigation and rectification of the water damage the responsibility of the lot owner or body corporate?

Who is responsible for cleaning exclusive use car park spaces versus common property in strata buildings

By admin,

The December 2023 edition of The QLD Strata Magazine includes an article by Will Marquand about cleaning garages. The Q&A indicates that the body corporate is responsible for the cleaning. In my present building, it's assumed that since the parking spaces are assigned to units and numbered accordingly, they are part of the unit's exclusive use area. As such, owners are responsible for cleaning their parking space, and the body corporate cleans the rest of the common area. Is this correct?

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