I have heard that owners corporations can vote using an online voting link instead of a paper ballot. How does an owners corporation set up online voting? Is the voting link only provided through the strata manager, or can lot owners access it directly?
Who can access the electronic voting results? Is it common for strata managers to charge an extra fee to set up and run online voting?
I live in a six unit over 55s strata scheme in NSW. Our strata committee overspent the administrative fund budget, and the treasurer stated the owners corporation was insolvent.
The strata manager then issued a notice to hold a general meeting by “other means”, which in this case was an email vote. The notice only allowed owners to tick a box to approve or disapprove the motion. It did not provide an opportunity to discuss how the amount was calculated, what it would fund, or how to avoid a repeat of the overspending.
At the recent AGM, a motion was passed to spend $90K+ on a security upgrade, which includes a sizeable special levy to raise some of the funds. No details about the cost estimate or scope of works were provided to owners.
Recently, we had a break-in into our underground garage. It looks like they gained access through the fire escape door on the street level and descended down the steps into the garage. They stole a number of items over 2 hours. The door on the street is accessible by key. The lock on this door has been changed and the strata council have denied new keys to owners. This is inconvenient as the access is next to the bin room so you would normally put your rubbish in the bin and then use the access door to descend into the garage.
Our 5 lot Strata company maintains Lot No 2 roses. The roses are not on common property. This item has been raised at our annual general meeting as to who’s responsibility it is to maintain the roses, as the roses have been considered part of the entry statement.
The cost to maintain these roses is excessive. Owners are required to decide on whether the strata company maintains the roses or not. If yes, we are strongly encouraged to lodge a by-law. I was the owner who raised concerns and I'm worried I will be outvoted. I am a new owner.
Our scheme has washing machines. Over time the strata company has introduced and now increased the price of using the machines. The maintenance of the machines has been outsourced to a contractor.
When I purchased my unit there was no mention of any additional costs above my levies. There is no bylaw about additional costs associated with the washing machines.
Can residents be charged a fee to use items of common property? Where can I find information about the decision making process to adopt this practice in our building?
To ensure compliance with legislation, my strata company took a strata loan to finance major capital works around the complex. At the general meeting, we opted for the loan although we have sufficient funds to finance repairs ourselves.
We are the property managers for a unit in a WA strata scheme. The landlord would like to install a split system air conditioner in their lot. We’ve requested via the strata manager, approval from the Council of Owners for the installation of the air conditioner as the compressor has to be fitted on the outside wall of the unit.