This article discusses the strata owner request decision making process and when formal committee meetings are required.
Question: How are owner requests usually dealt with? The committee makes decisions via email in our scheme, and responses can take a long time. What is the usual process under the Act?
Our strata manager doesn’t hold committee meetings. They email owner requests to committee members for consideration, and the manager waits for the majority of the committee to reply.
No notice of meetings or minutes are sent to owners. Due to this process, decisions can take a long time, and owners are kept waiting. Is this the usual process under the Act?
Answer: As best practice, items such as renovations and works over $5,000 should be determined at a duly convened strata committee meeting.
Can I suggest the client check their strata agency agreement? The strata manager may have the delegation to perform these duties under their agreement without needing to seek further approval/input from the strata committee. The email to the strata committee may be out of courtesy.
If there isn’t the delegation under the strata manager’s agreement, the strata manager is most likely able to take instructions on matters from the secretary.
I agree that items such as renovations and works over $5,000 should be determined at a duly convened strata committee meeting as best practice. That is what we do in our strata schemes.
This post appears in the February 2024 edition of The NSW Strata Magazine.
Rod Smith The Strata Collective E: rsmith@thestratacollective.com.au P: 02 9879 3547