Question: Can all lot owners give unanimous written consent to approve committee spending above the limit without an EGM?
I am seeking urgent clarification regarding a Queensland body corporate expenditure approval process. Our scheme has 8 lots and a committee spending limit of $4,000. The committee consists of 4 members and is considering engaging a consultant/project manager for approximately $7,200.
The matter is time-sensitive because the expenditure relates to urgent common property rectification works involving ongoing water ingress and mould. We are trying to progress rectification as soon as possible and avoid unnecessary delay if there is a lawful alternative to calling an EGM/general meeting.
My question is: if all lot owners provide unanimous written consent to the expenditure, can the body corporate approve and proceed with expenditure above the committee spending limit without calling an EGM or general meeting?
If so, could you please advise:
- the relevant legislative provision or regulation;
- whether written consent from all lot owners is sufficient;
- whether the urgency/common property damage changes the available approval pathway;
- what wording, process or documentation would be required;
- and whether the committee should first record a unanimous recommendation before seeking owner consent.
Answer: Yes, unanimous written consent from all lot owners can authorise committee spending above the limit without an EGM.
Section 172 of the Standard Module (equivalent provisions of other Regulation Modules) provides, in subsection 1(b), that spending over the relevant limit for committee spending can occur if ‘the owners of all lots included in the scheme have given written consent’. There’s no form for this, nor a template for wording. Ideally the committee would, as it would for any decision-making, resolve to seek this consent first. And of course, they ideally should have a plan if it turns out that not all owners are happy to consent in writing.
It’s important to read the section in its entirety, because there are several qualifiers which may be relevant to your situation.
If a genuine emergency exists, it is possible to seek an emergency order from an adjudicator. Such an order can either authorise the spending, or authorise shortening the time period for calling a general meeting. It does need to be a genuine emergency though and not simply that the body corporate would prefer things to be done more quickly. If an issue has been known for some time, then by definition, that can’t be an ’emergency’.
This is general information only and not legal advice.
This post appears in the August 2026 edition of The QLD Strata Magazine.
Chris Irons Strata Solve E: chris@stratasolve.com.au P: 0419 805 898
