What can a body corporate do about an alleged negligent body corporate manager?

By Neziah,

Over the past 18 months, our committee has been investigating significant financial discrepancies that appear to have arisen during the tenure of our former body corporate management company. We have sought legal advice and have since engaged a new body corporate management company to assist in reviewing the historical records and accounts. While we have a good understanding of the issues involved and that the financial impact is likely to be significant, we have not yet been able to determine a definitive value of the loss.

Can a body corporate enforce disability parking bays?

By Neziah,

Our scheme has had a few designated disability parking bays marked with a wheelchair symbol for many years. However, they are not included in our current by-laws. Some residents with disability parking permission have to park outside the scheme, as other residents occupy their parking bays.

Which options are available to resolve this issue?

Compliance inspection versus a full condition assessment

By Neziah,

Our body corporate is in a 25-year-old building in Brisbane. We've never had any major defect claims and the building "looks fine." Still, a few of us on the committee are starting to notice small signs of wear, hairline cracking on the façade, some staining near balcony edges, ageing sealant around windows. Nothing dramatic, but enough to make us wonder what we're not seeing.

Can owners bypass a general meeting on spending limits?

By Neziah,

I am seeking urgent clarification regarding a Queensland body corporate expenditure approval process. Our scheme has 8 lots and a committee spending limit of $4,000. The committee consists of 4 members and is considering engaging a consultant/project manager for approximately $7,200.

Owner refuses plumbing inspection after suspicious major flood

By Neziah,

One apartment in our large scheme experienced a major flood that damaged common areas and other lots. The owner attributed the substantial flooding to a fault in the washing machine. We understand the owner has had police visits in the past, and a hydroponic drug growing operation was found in the bedroom that had flooded.

Can a strata scheme require unpaid labour instead of levies?

By Neziah,

At our last AGM, the strata council proposed dividing maintenance of our common property gardens among lot owners. We're a survey strata with extensive gardens and an orchard. The proposal requires us to contribute a minimum number of "community work hours" each week, recorded in a register, to help keep strata levies low. The motion was unanimously approved and described as a house rule.