Question: For a duplex, what is considered common property. We insurance and water bills and there is a plumbing leak.
What is considered “common property” where there are only 2 townhouses joined by a single wall and we have no formal Body Corporate in place?
We share only 2 expenses – Building Insurance and the water & sewage bill (which are not on separate meters). There is a plumbing leak external to the building on the other owner’s outside area, directly in front of their property.
Am I responsible for any costs to repair? How do I check what is common property?
Answer: If the water is not on separate meters then you would think water leaks would be a collective problem.
I would need to look at the Plan of Subdivision to give a definitive answer however if the water is not on separate meters, i.e., common, then you would think water leaks would be a collective problem.
If the two owners are paying an equal share of the water bill I would strongly recommend that the leak is addressed before the cost for the water usage gets out of hand.
This post appears in Strata News #503.
Rob Harris
Northern Territory Strata Management
E: robjharris@bigpond.com
P: 1300 340 210
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