Question: We recently had a leak at our rental unit on the Gold Coast. We have been sent the invoice for payment with a detailed description from the plumber. Is this really our responsibility?
We received an account from the plumber who attended our rental unit in a complex on the Gold coast in QLD recently.
His account read: “Isolated water supply to unit and found the main isolation gate valve faulty. Isolated mains water supply to the entire complex. Removed faulty gate valve, supplied and installed new gate valve. Reinstated water supply..”
Who is responsible for this? Is the repair our responsibility or should the body corporate pay?
Answer: Determining responsibility for a repair isn’t always straightforward
Determining responsibility for a repair isn’t always straightforward and in this instance, the information provided probably isn’t sufficient in and of itself to make a final determination, albeit the description is a helpful part of the puzzle.
Without knowing any specific details of the scheme, you would have to consider factors such as the format, where the work took place, why the work was conducted and whether there were any specific by-laws in place that may affect responsibility.
Your body corporate manager would have these additional details and should be able to provide you with a rationale for how they would apportion responsibility.
Speaking more generally, plumbing issues tend to be some of the more difficult responsibility decisions to make. Broadly, plumbing works that service more than one lot would be considered Body Corporate responsibility while those that service one lot only, even if located on the common property, are the responsibility of the individual lot owner. However, that is only a starting point before considering all factors.
The Queensland Government website has some good general advice on repairs: Body corporate maintenance: Queensland Government – Body corporate maintenance
William Marquand Tower Body Corporate E: willmarquand@towerbodycorporate.com.au P: 07 5609 4924