Question: I am a member of the Executive Committee. I’ve noticed there is an expense item listed in the Financial Report that looks questionable. I asked the secretary to forward me a copy of the invoice but I was ignored. What is the next step?
Answer: I think the simplest solution for you is to arrange to inspect the records of the strata plan.
I think the simplest solution for you is to arrange to inspect the records of the strata plan. Any owner has a legal right to inspect the records of the strata plan. If the records are held by a strata manager, the inspection request can be sent to them.
In many cases, an email should be sufficient. Some strata managers are more strict about the form of the request. If the strata plan is self-managed the request should be sent to the person who holds the records. On receipt of the request, the owners corporation is required to make the records available at a time and place agreed between the parties.
If the secretary is the holder of the records and does not make the required records available, I would suggest contacting the other members of the strata committee about the matter. If appropriate, the members of the strata committee could call a general meeting of the owners with the purpose of discussing this matter.
Alternatively, you could raise the matter at the next annual general meeting of the strata plan. I hope that helps.
This post appears in the June 2021 edition of The NSW Strata Magazine.
Michael Ferrier EYEON Property Inspections E: michael.ferrier@eyeon.com.au P: 02 9260 5510