Question: With the problem of electric scooter chargers and battery fires, to mitigate fire risks, can unit owners make it compulsory for tenants not to have electric scooters in their units or the garage area?
Answer: A blanket ban on scooters is likely to be unlawful until there is direction from a higher authority.
This is a really hard one at the moment. There is certainly evidence of issues, but which scooters? What batteries? How were they managed? Why hasn’t QFES or the government said something? I think a blanket ban on scooters is likely to be unlawful until there are some answers to those questions or directions from a higher authority.
Frank Higginson
Hynes Legal
E: frank.higginson@hyneslegal.com.au
P: 07 3193 0500
Tyrone may wish to consult with a few of his insurers as our Body Corporate contacted SCI to pose the question on cover for charging of electric scooters / bikes in units and were provided the following statement.
SCI excludes cover of charging of electric scooters, bikes etc. in rooms as it’s not recommended by the lithium battery manufacturers, therefore any loss that occurs will be negligence to the resident who will be held responsible for damages.
Hi Tom – I would be interested in reviewing the insurers full advice on this and also what section of the policy they are specifically referring to.