• Read more about Requirements for installing a door over a fire control panel in our building's foyer
• Add new comment

We would like to install a simple hinged door to cover the fire control panel in the entrance foyer of our apartment building to improve the appearance of the area and for protection. The door would open easily and have clear signage indicating the fire control panel. Can we do this, provided access remains unobstructed? Also, where can we find the correct standard wording or design for the required signage?

• Read more about Will all-inclusive strata management agreements replace fee-for-service models
• Add new comment

• Read more about Can a seller sue the body corporate for failing to provide a Form 33 on time
• Add new comment

Could a seller take legal action against the body corporate if the sale of their lot falls through because the required Form 33 certificate was not supplied, or not supplied in a timely manner, by the body corporate?

• Read more about Do the new NSW fire safety regulations affect pre 1979 strata buildings?
• Add new comment

Our pre-1979 strata plan building does not currently require an annual fire safety certificate. Do the upcoming changes to fire safety regulations in NSW law impact our building?

• Read more about Insurance risk when one owner in a duplex neglects common property maintenance
• Add new comment

I'm one owner in a two-lot body corporate with a shared roof. I've noticed deterioration around the eaves and fascia that looks like it needs repair, but the other owner doesn't think it's serious. If we delay the work and the damage worsens during a storm, could our insurer reject a future claim because we were aware of the issue? Should I contact the insurer to disclose the problem?

If the other owner keeps avoiding maintenance, can I arrange work through the body corporate and pay for repairs from the sinking fund?

• Read more about Our committee won't follow the model rules process for dispute resolution
• Add new comment

Our strata manager issued us with a breach notice at the committee's request. We asked how to respond if we disagreed with the notice and were told to provide a formal written reply, which we did. The strata manager confirmed they had forwarded our response to the committee.

• Read more about How can committee members respond to bullying or defamatory behaviour from owners?
• Add new comment

I am the outgoing chairperson of our body corporate committee and will step into the secretary/treasurer role next year. Recently, an owner launched into a shouting, personal attack against me when no one else was present. I have now received an email complaint from another owner, through the body corporate manager, that is personally abusive and, in my view, defamatory.

• Read more about How shared basements and mixed-use buildings affect building insurance options
• Add new comment

For several years, our broker has told us that Chubb is the only insurer in Australia willing to cover our building because we share a basement with the commercial building next door. How is this the case when mixed-use buildings are common across Australia and often include commercial premises on the ground floor?

• Read more about Do AGM minutes record the name of the members who will serve on the council of owners?
• Add new comment

At our AGM, the strata manager reads out council of owners (CoO) nominations by lot number, with no information about the nominees and no mention of the name of the person who will serve. The AGM minutes record the elected council using lot numbers and the names of the proprietary companies that own the lots. There is no reference to the individuals who will sit on the council or represent owners.

Is this the correct procedure in WA? How can owners know who's on the council of owners so that we can contact them?

• Read more about Can a strata manager restrict access to financials if owners pay for the software?
• Add new comment

Our body corporate pays a quarterly fee to the strata management company for software and archiving, which includes access to StrataMax. Given that owners are effectively paying for this software, can the manager decide what information we can and cannot see on the portal?