Question: Our OC organised to wash the building’s roof, causing overspray onto a difficult to reach window. Is the OC responsible for the cleaning of the window?
Our owners corporation organised to wash the building’s roof. My hard to reach window was covered in large smudges from the overspray.
I have been chasing the strata manager to arrange window cleaning with no progress. The committee hasn’t responded.
I believe expecting me to pay for cleaning is unfair. Who is responsible for the window cleaning?
Answer: Having the window cleaned independently may be more efficient.
Under the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW), the owners corporation is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of common property. If the dirt on your window resulted directly from roof cleaning works arranged by the owners corporation, and your window forms part of the common property or was affected as a consequence of those works, it would fall under the corporation’s duty to rectify.
That said, from a practical perspective, if the cost of engaging your own cleaner is modest and the inconvenience of pursuing a formal resolution is significant, it may be more efficient to have the window cleaned independently. This will avoid any ongoing prolonged back and forth and may be more cost-effective overall, particularly if a contractor would need to be engaged by the owners corporation at greater expense to all lot owners.
You may also consider submitting a request for reimbursement of the cleaning cost to the strata committee for their consideration and attend the next strata committee meeting to raise the matter directly.
This post appears in the May 2025 edition of The NSW Strata Magazine.
James Delany
Alliance Management Services
E: james@alliancemanagementservices.com.au
P: 02 7201 0418
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