Emergency Access Solutions for Elderly Residents in Apartment Buildings

By admin,

Emergency services use a lockbox system for a few of the older residents in our large inner city building. The use of this lockbox has always been a concern of mine. Is there a system that solves the problem of access to elderly residents' apartments in an emergency? If so, how?

Can residents install walls between car spaces without body corporate approval

By admin,

We live in a 52 apartment lot strata building. Without any approval or consultation, can a resident build a colourbond wall between their car space and neighbouring car space in the basement car park?

The car spaces are open and if you have 2 vehicles in your allotted parallel spaces, it is impossible to open your car door without encroaching into neighbouring space. What approval would be required? Would it contravened building approval or create airflow issues?

Can you store bikes in your car space without breaching body corporate by-laws

By admin,

I own and live in a unit complex on the Gold Coast. All owners have an allotted car parking space.

I keep 2 bikes in my allotted space up against the brick wall where the nose of my car is parked so there's a few inches between the bikes and the front of the car when it's parked there. The bikes are not obstructing anyone in any way.

Playground Safety Compliance Standards and Body Corporate Responsibilities in Australia

By admin,

How concerned do we have to be about whether the playground equipment at our body corporate is compliant? I think our issue will be the fall areas.

Where can we find the legislation around safety compliance for playgrounds?

Do car park drop-offs require safety barriers in strata complexes

By admin,

I own a unit in a 12 unit single level complex. Each unit has a car park adjacent to its unit. My car park has a retention pit on the far side with a vertical, sloping drop off of 300mm to 500mm. My neighbour in unit 2 has a level drop off of 200mm. Residents are reluctant to park in these spaces, especially at night, due to the precipice.

I would like to know what the legislation is regarding this area as I feel that a safety barrier is required.

Are gas bottles in camper vans a safety risk in underground car parks

By admin,

A number of camper vans have appeared in the car park recently and a couple of dual cab utes with a sleeping pod on the back.

Both types of vehicles have one or two 9kg gas bottles attached. With LPG being flammable and also being one and a half times heavier than air and the apartment car park being underground, I'm concerned that if there was a leak, gas would pool in the lower area creating a hazardous situation.

Should the Body Corporate Committee required residents to store gas bottles offsite?

Can a developer use majority voting power to force special levies or a sale?

By admin,

I am an owner in an older Queensland community titles scheme. A developer has acquired close to 60% of the lots. The building was recently certified as structurally sound.

Can the developer use their voting power at the next AGM to push through a large special levy, forcing owners to consider selling? Do recent changes to the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (the BCCM Act) mean a developer may only need 75% ownership to acquire the remaining lots, resulting in lower compensation for the remaining owner?

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