Question: Owners have been given a small window during a weekday for a fire safety inspection. Is the owners corporation required to arrange accesses on a day suitable for each occupant?
My partner’s strata has set a date and time for a fire inspection. It’s a two-hour window on a weekday, and my partner isn’t available. Although she has provided alternative days, the owners corporation advised they cannot change the date. The only option is for owners to leave a spare key with a committee member. Surely, apartment access would be similar to that of a renter, where they must organise a suitable time for access.
Answer: Contact the fire safety company directly. They may have some flexibility.
Fire safety inspections are typically coordinated for the entire building, which includes many residents with varied schedules. Finding a time that suits everyone’s needs can be challenging, especially since these inspections are often booked well in advance to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
While the date is fixed to streamline the process for the whole building, one possible solution is to contact the fire safety company directly. They may have some flexibility, such as inspecting earlier in the morning when they are already on-site or visiting at another time if they have other inspections nearby. Alternatively, leaving keys with a trusted neighbour is a common solution that ensures your apartment can still be inspected.
Though the inconvenience is understood, fire safety compliance is critical, and your cooperation ensures the building remains safe for everyone.
This post appears in the October 2024 edition of The NSW Strata Magazine.
Tim Sara Strata Choice E: tsara@stratachoice.com.au P: 1300 322 213