Question: A lot owner in my Mum’s small unit block self manages the scheme. He collects levies, but isn’t doing the best job prioritising maintenance or paperwork. How do we get things back on track?
My Mum owns a lot in a 7 unit block of villas. It is self managed by one of the owners. He collects the strata fees and isn’t doing the best job prioritising maintenance or paperwork.
He organised the eaves to get painted but only half of Mum’s and other lot’s property was painted 12 months ago. Recently, he allowed another committee member to get a new fence and strata contributed half of the cost.
Can my mother demand he finishes painting her villa and withhold her fees until this work has been completed?
Answer: It might be time to start getting affairs at your mum’s building in order. That might mean getting professional help.
First up, I empathise with the situation you and your mum are in. While it is great when strata schemes are able to manage themselves, this is an example of what can happen when it goes wrong and the regular checks and balances aren’t happening.
One way of answering your question is by saying, well, your mum can do what she wants, given everyone else is seemingly doing that as well!
I don’t think that’s helpful or useful though. While I know you’re focussed on this particular issue, you need to start thinking long-term. If this happens now, chances are it will repeat itself – maybe in a slightly different form – in the future. It might be time to start getting affairs at your mum’s building in order. That might mean getting professional help, such as from a strata manager, or starting off by getting some legal advice. As a minimum, your mum might want to start with a discussion with the other owners. That discussion might be focused on your mum asking to see the paperwork to get a picture on the state of fees and any plans for maintenance.
This might sound like a bit of effort, and it is, frankly. Then again, think about the flipside: this is probably your mum’s biggest investment and it needs to be protected. At the moment, it doesn’t look like that is happening. So some effort will be worth it.
Chris Irons Strata Solve E: chris@stratasolve.com.au P: 0419 805 898
This post appears in Strata News #562.