Is a kitchen bench a strata fixture in a Class A building?

ACT

Maintenance & Common Property

This article discusses class A strata kitchen bench responsibility and confirms repairs are usually the owner’s responsibility.

Is a kitchen bench in a Class A building a fixture, and therefore should its maintenance be an Owners Corporation responsibility?

I am the Treasurer of a Class A strata complex. A split developed some time ago in the kitchen bench of an apartment. The kitchen bench was installed by the builder during initial construction of the complex. The owner claims that the repair is an Owners Corporation responsibility. Is a kitchen bench a fixture, and therefore should its maintenance be an Owners Corporation responsibility?

A kitchen bench is not the Owners Corporations responsibility.

No, a kitchen bench is not the Owners Corporations responsibility, as it is internal to the Unit.

While the Owners Corporation is responsible to insure the structure of the building, including fixtures and fittings, a defect or maintenance issue with kitchen cabinetry would not be considered to be an insurance claim, (insurable event) and therefore the responsibility for the repair would the individual Owner of the Unit.

The Boundary of an A class unit is the midway point of the floor, ceiling and walls. A Unit Owner is responsible for the maintenance and repair of all internal aspects of their unit.

Depending on when the complex was built, there might still be the chance that the issue would be covered under the warranty period. I would be recommending that the Owner contact the developer/builder of the complex.

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Published: 7 Apr 2026

Last Updated: 7 Jul 2026

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Answer by

Steve Wiebe

Bridge Strata P/L

Steve is a highly regarded Senior Strata Manager, with over 13 years’ experience within the Strata Industry. Steve has a wealth of knowledge of Strata, across the ACT, NSW and Victoria. Steve has spent considerable time managing complexes throughout these states, having worked in Melbourne for a number of years, managing properties across NSW and Victoria.

Steve has spent 8 years working as a Team Leader and Senior Strata Manager within the ACT. During his time, Steve has served as the Treasurer for the Strata Communities Australia (ACT) Branch, and is also a nationally recognised and accredited trainer of the A100 ‘Introduction to Strata’ course for the SCA.

Steve has a strong focus on developing a good rapport and strong relationships with clients, in order to ensure their needs are being met. Steve also believes in ensuring all Managers are trained to ensure a fantastic customer experience, and are providing the correct advice to their clients.

Steve is a regular contributor to LookUpStrata.