A NSW Lot owner would like to know if they can reduce their strata levies by doing their own lawn mowing. Rod Smith, The Strata Collective provides the following response.
Question: Can I do the mowing for my common area garden and take the cost of my lawn maintenance off my levies?
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I am one of the lot owners of a small strata scheme. I’d like to do the mowing for my garden area. Can I do this without Owners Corporation approval?
If they agree I can mow, can I deduct the cost of my lawn maintenance off my balance and reduce my strata levies?
Answer: Any cost savings won’t reduce the levies you pay as the lawn mowing contract is with the owners corporation as a whole.
Regarding mowing your own lawn area, this would be a matter to discuss with the Strata Committee. They may allow you to do this work if you are interested and can commit.
Unfortunately, any cost savings won’t reduce the levies you pay as the lawn mowing contract is with the owners corporation as a whole, not each owner.
You may save money for the owners corporation which would pass down to you indirectly, however, it wouldn’t be dollar for dollar, it would your respective proportion if the strata can negotiate a cost saving with the lawn mowing contractor.
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This post appears in Strata News #251.
Rod Smith
The Strata Collective
T: 02 9879 3547
E: [email protected]
This article is for reference purposes only and is not intended to be a comprehensive review of the developments in the law and practice or to cover all aspect of the subject matter. It does not constitute legal or other advice and should not be relied upon this way. Readers should take legal or other advice before applying the information containing in this publication.
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