Can poor maintenance in one building affect insurance for the whole scheme?

By admin,

We live in a large strata scheme with multiple accommodation buildings. Most buildings are well maintained, one is not. The scheme’s strata insurance has been qualified for two years in a row because repairs and maintenance have not been carried out on the poorly maintained building.

If the insurer withdraws cover, what options are available to owners who live in the well maintained buildings?

What happens if you oppose a strata improvement you cannot afford?

By admin,

I am in a four lot survey strata. The strata company proposed installing electronic gates on the common property driveway. I do not support the proposal because of the installation cost, ongoing maintenance costs, and I cannot afford it.

What options do I have to stop the installation? If it goes ahead, how are costs shared in a four lot survey strata?

Can AGM decisions be challenged if a new agenda is issued on the day?

By admin,

For our AGM, the original agenda notice met the 14 days notice requirement under section 129(1) of the Strata Titles Act 1985 (WA) (the Act).

On the day of the AGM, a revised agenda notice was issued to all owners with one motion added, one removed, and changed information on the front page. The meeting relied on the revised agenda.

Can a strata company replace tilt doors with roller doors?

By admin,

Our strata company plans to standardise garage doors across the scheme. The current tilt garage doors are the strata company’s responsibility. They’re considering replacing them with roller doors, which cost half as much. One owner feels a roller door is inferior and is insisting on a tilt door.

Can an owner insist on a tilt door option, and if so, does the strata company need to provide it rather than standardising on roller doors?

Who pays for fuse box upgrades for strata solar installations?

By admin,

I am in a strata complex of 20 units and would like to install solar panels. Before I can install solar panels, I need to upgrade my fuse box. The fuse box is attached to my unit and does not affect any other property or unit.

I have contacted the owners corporation and they state that, because the problem is only affecting my unit, I must pay for the upgrade. Is this correct or is it the responsibility of the owners corporation to pay for the fuse box upgrade?

Can you insure solar panels if strata won’t cover them?

By admin,

I'm buying a strata villa which has solar panels on the roof. There are 8 villas, and 2 have solar panels. Searches by my conveyancer show the owners corporation passed a resolution NOT to include cover for solar panels in its building insurance. I can't take out building cover because I don't own the whole structure. I'm concerned about hail damage in the future.

I can't find an insurance company who will let me insure the solar panels under my contents policy. I'm happy to pay for cover. Have others faced this issue?

Can a strata by-law ban solar panels in NSW?

By admin,

I know of a NSW strata scheme that had an agenda item put to its AGM to create a bylaw to “never allow roof top solar” installations.

We need better legislation, with greater focus on it being a right of owners to install solar when all things technical like roof type, orientations and fair allocations can be met.

Sustainable Infrastructure Initiative voting thresholds don’t go far enough to counter the objectors.

Can strata require solar batteries to be installed within a lot?

By admin,

A lot owner requested and has been granted permission to install solar panels on his roof. This owner has further requested permission to install a battery system either on common property or on the exterior of his lot, which we understand is also common property.

We are concerned about the installation and would prefer the batteries are installed within the lot. Is this a valid request?

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