Can a fire contractor take and share photos of hazardous items inside a lot?

By admin,

Our strata manager received a fire safety report from a fire safety company that included a photo of items stored in my garage. The contractor says that the items are hazardous. Other residents also store flammable items in their garages, but as far as I know, only I have been contacted about this issue.

Is the body corporate responsible for damage to common property caused during a break-in?

By admin,

In a Building Unit Plan under the Standard Module, our door on the boundary between a lot and common property was damaged during a break in. The locks only need to be replaced due to criminal damage.

Our strata manager says the lot owner must pay because the damage resulted from a crime rather than maintenance. Does the body corporate's obligation to maintain common property extend to repair or replacement where damage is caused by a third party, such as a break in?

How keeping by-laws up to date reduces disputes and improves governance

By admin,

I am the chair and treasurer of a 30 lot body corporate under the Accommodation Module. The committee is reviewing our by-laws and wants to update existing by-laws and introduce new ones.

To help convince the body corporate of the necessity of this action, can you explain why it’s important to keep by-laws current and how this can help prevent disputes and support clearer decision making and enforcement?

How can owners address governance failures in a body corporate?

By admin,

Our body corporate has repeated governance issues. By-laws and regulations have been breached, and some owners have been locked out of online meetings.

A committee member has organised or carried out works such as water ingress repairs and tennis court repairs, even though these jobs require licensed contractors. Owners face a significant increase in levies, which we believe results from poor financial management over the past year.

Can a special resolution shift responsibility for windows and doors to lot owners?

By admin,

Can the executive committee pass a special resolution stating that all lot owners are responsible for repairing and maintaining their own windows and doors? If this special resolution passes and owners disagree or vote no, do they still have to comply with the decision?

Is parking on common property allowed if it does not obstruct others?

By admin,

We own unit 2 in a duplex. Unit 1 recently changed ownership. The two lots share one common driveway.

We are a family of four and want to park in the common driveway in front of our garage. We do not block access to unit 1’s garage.

Unit 1 can drive into their garage and reverse out down the driveway, and we do the same. Neither unit has a turning bay. Can we park on the common driveway in front of our garage if unit 1 can still access their garage?

How will ABS recognition of strata managers affect salaries and career paths?

By admin,

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) now recognises "strata manager" as a distinct professional category. How do you expect this to affect salary expectations and career advancement pathways for junior and senior strata management staff?