Following an AGM and the formation of a new committee, what advice can help set a positive and effective tone from the outset? Do strata managers usually provide new committees with guidance on working together early on, or is this usually addressed later, once conflicts or issues begin to arise?
I own a unit in a self-managed group of 3 in a regional area of NSW. The strata scheme is using the model by-laws. However, the other 2 unit owners say the previous owner of my unit agreed that they could each have parts of the common property for their exclusive use.
If this exclusive use of common property has not been registered for over a year, is it valid? No money has been paid to the Owners Corporation.
At our single-level complex of 18 villas, we each have one garage. Can we park a vehicle on common property in front of our own villa, not blocking any access or garage, to wash a vehicle using our OWN water?
Last year, an owner in our 17 villa complex requested approval to change a common garden bed outside their villa. The owners corporation approved the renewal of plants and mulch in the garden.
A few months later, despite not having approval for further work, the owner ordered besser blocks to build a small retaining wall and pavers to place in front of their lot.
The owners corporation refused to approve the use of these materials and has suggested an alternative material that is in keeping with the appearance of the common property.
We have a back patio as a shared common area. My neighbour has pot plants of all shapes and sizes hanging and filling the patio. We have recently purchased a small piece of gym equipment (approx. 45cm w x 80cm h - gymnastic bar), which fits perfectly in our corner of the shared patio. It has no impact on the health of the plants.
We continually receive letters of complaint under our door about our abuse of strata living.
Are we doing anything wrong by leaving this unobtrusive small bar outside?
I have a residential strata ground floor lot. Our strata manager has advised us to remove a planter box in our exclusive use courtyard, at our expense. The planter box is causing water damage to the undercroft car park area.
I thought my courtyard was part of the common property. The planter box was erected years ago by a previous owner. Why is the removal of the planter box our cost?
At our AGM, our strata management company advised residents that it would be a good idea to formalise a licence agreement for our complex's exclusive use areas and common areas. The managers have also advised us to survey a new strata plan. Is this mandatory?
Soon, we will consolidate our by-laws, detailing exclusive use and common areas. Do we need to carry out these additional steps?
In our building, the strata plan states the balconies and carports are a part of the lot, the boundaries of which are defined on the strata plan.
Our strata manager refuses to accept this and has issued a notice to say the balconies and carports are exclusive use common property.
Landgate have confirmed that they are part lot.
The CoO refuse to acknowledge the facts.
It appears that owners must go to SAT and bear some costs to have this determined.
If a by-law contradicts the strata plan, which one is correct?