Can a body corporate deny permission to install a small solar panel on common property to power lighting inside a unit?

By admin,

I own a unit in Burleigh Heads in a body corporate scheme. I applied to install solar powered lights inside my unit, which requires a small solar panel attached to the roof. The body corporate denied my application because the roof is common property.

Is there any way to challenge this decision, given that the solar panel is small, would improve lighting inside my unit, and could also benefit other owners if they installed similar panels?

Can the reserve fund only be used to fund common property repairs and maintenance?

By admin,

Our new strata manager said our reserve fund can only be used for common property, not the proposed painting of all six lots in our small complex. Our previous strata manager said this was allowed. Is this correct?

We have very little common property and would not have accumulated $9000 in our reserve fund if we knew it could only be used on common areas.

Can a developer install an air conditioning unit on common property after residents have moved in?

By admin,

I am part of the owners corporation of an apartment building in Victoria. All residents moved in during August 2025. The developer has recently installed an air conditioning unit on the rooftop, which is common property, with a covered pipe running through it. The developer claims this installation was agreed to during construction and is only being completed now.

Can a developer install infrastructure like this on common property after residents have moved in? How should the owners corporation approach responsibility if the unit is damaged?

We have a council member emailing the strata company to the point of harassment — what are our legal options?

By admin,

We have a strata council member who is constantly emailing the strata company. The strata company has asked the other council members to speak to her in relation to her conduct as they believe she is harassing them consistently.

The council’s concern is that if this doesn’t cease we will have to find a new strata company [even though the current one is very average], however we are all finding it extremely difficult to deal with this council member.

What are our legal options?

Who is responsible for repairing and maintaining the original timber floor in a heritage commercial strata building?

By admin,

In the ACT, who is responsible for repairing and maintaining the original timber floor constructed on original timber joists and bearers on the ground floor in a heritage commercial strata building?

I assume the timber floor is part of the original building structure. Is it the lot owner or the owners corporation’s responsibility?

I've found dubious charges on our previous OC manager's financial statement — is this a police matter or should we have an audit done?

By admin,

Reviewing a financial statement from our previous OC Manager, I have found several dubious charges. I've checked these charges with suppliers.

The discrepancies include a charge of $1685 for Essential Services when these services were billed as $232. There are also charges of three water excesses of $2500 each when no work has been carried out or billed. There are also Owners Corporation charges for repairs in addition to agreed insurance work.

What should I do? Is this a Police matter? Should we get an audit done? If we get an audit done, what are the next steps?

Can the owners corporation manager place owner motion proposals on the AGM agenda?

By admin,

Can the owners corporation manager place owner motion proposals on the AGM agenda? This would allow other owners to consider and ask questions about the proposals before the AGM. Motions requiring a resolution are raised in any other business, and people are asked to vote immediately. I understand that if there is a quorum, the result stands, but is there a minimum time, eg., two weeks for owners to make an informed decision?

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