• Read more about Apartment Overcrowding and Maximum Occupancy Regulations
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There are more and more situations where extra rooms are being created within units without owners corporation approval (eg a 2 bedroom made into a 3 bedroom). Some are obvious, some you wouldn't know if they were approved or not.

What impact does this situation have on owners corporation insurance and the owners insurance? Especially when the units have been on sold and the new owners don't realise.

Does a strata manager have an obligation to know how many bedrooms the units were originally built as?

• Read more about How can I gain approval to renovate my lot?
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A resident in our small strata scheme recently installed an air conditioner outlet on the roof. The noise from the air conditioner outlet travels down my skylight into my bathroom and bedroom. If the air con is left on overnight, I can hear it cutting in and out all night. Can I request they relocate the air conditioner unit or fix the noise?

• Read more about New Strata Management Company Fees
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I am an owner of a duplex property in Canberra. Our Strata Manager's contract is about to expire. Both owners agree we'd like to self manage moving forward.

Can we email the current Strata Manager advising him that his services will not be required after the date of expiry.

We held a general meeting between the two owners in November 2021 and again today and are in agreement with this decision. Detailed minutes and decisions made at both meetings are documented and signed by all owners.

• Read more about Strata Insurance – Fences, Walls & Garage Doors
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• Read more about Pursuing Builders for Off The Plan Apartment Defects
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I own a townhouse in a small Class A complex of seven that is almost four years old. We had a high number of defects, including significant structural defects. We have claimed the builders warranty insurance, and structural defects still need to be remediated.

• Read more about Boundary and Common Property Issues
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Our complex has townhouses in blocks of two and four under the building format plan. We are in a block of two lots.

The building is surrounded by a private yard, so the property's boundaries move from the building wall to the private yard boundary.

The boundary of the private yard is unlimited in depth and height, so all external maintenance is the responsibility of the owner.

I've been told that the roof and foundations are the body corporate's responsibility.

• Read more about Dealing with Hoarders - One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure
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• Read more about Solar for Apartments - Power to the (Strata) People
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In our small 3-lot strata, solar panels were installed on all lots over the past year. Can you please clarify the following:

1. Are solar installations classed as scheme assets, and should they be included in the asset register?
2. Does the scheme's insurance cover solar panels?
3. Does our insurer need to be advised of any solar installations?

• Read more about Lockboxes and Key Safes for Access to Apartments
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My owners corporation would like to undertake an audit of access fobs to all apartments. They have requested all owners and residents cooperate.

They stated that if owners do not comply by the due date, the owners corporation will deactivate their fobs, obstructing access to the building, lots and elevators. Residents cannot enter or exit the garage without a fob.

• Read more about Can our self-managed strata get a commission rebate from the insurance broker?
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