My letterbox has been damaged. It is located with the other eleven letterboxes on the front wall of the complex. Is it my responsibility to repair my letterbox, or should the body corporate carry out this maintenance?
Responsibility for the letterboxes really comes down to whether or not the letterboxes are marked as a unit subsidiary area or are part of the common property.
Responsibility for the letterboxes really comes down to whether or not the letterboxes are marked as a unit subsidiary area or are part of the common property. Whilst I would refer you back to your Strata plan to confirm, I would suggest under most circumstances, these areas we say are usually sitting on common property (particularly if they are part of a bank of boxes). These boxes may form part of a bank of letterboxes, or fixed inside a brick wall. Common property (including letterboxes) therefore is a Strata Corporation responsibility to maintain and keep in a serviceable manner.
Now each unit does have its own letterbox and these will have the potential to wear at different rates, particularly if mistreated. It is safe to say that if the damage to one box has been caused by a Tenant or Owner breaking a lock, losing a key, being rough, or purposefully damaging it, that the Tenant or Owner in question would be responsible for the repairs required. However if the damage is simply the age of the letterbox openings, deterioration over time, etc, then if part of common property, these repairs would be handled collectively.
It may also pay to see whether or not there have been resolutions passed, or Articles altered which outline a different outcome to the one we breakdown above for your specific Strata Title complex.
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Tony Johnson has spent 17 years assisting and guiding Clients in the Strata and Community title sector. His Clients have included Residential, Industrial and large commercial properties. Tony’s previous experience in Property management also gives him a great understanding of the issues facing Landlords leasing in Body Corporate properties. Tony has a Diploma in Real Estate, Certificate IV in Property Management, Certificate IV in Real Estate Sales and has completed the SCA A100 Strata course. Tony is a level 3 Practicing Strata Community Manager (PSCM) as accredited by the SCA (Strata Community Association). Tony is a three-time running recipient of the Strata Community Manager of the Year award as judged by the SCA (SA) in 2016, 2017 & 2018. Tony’s other awards include the 2018 Strata Industry Essay award (SCA-SA) and the 2017 Professional Commitment to Ethics and Services award (SCA-SA). These recognitions were all delivered by the peak industry body – Strata Community Association (SA Chapter). Further to this, Tony was pleased to represent SA as a Finalist for the SCA National Strata Community Manager of the year in both 2017 & 2018. Tony’s focus now as CEO and Senior Body Corporate Manager at Stratarama Pty Ltd is to ensure that not only Clients but all vested parties of Strata living have the guidance, information and education to make informed decisions about their properties. Tony is passionate about the Strata Sector and is eager to see unit Owners in SA being able to have easier access to general information about Strata living. He is always happy to receive an email or phone call from anyone that may wish to reach out.
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