Question: We need to replace the boundary fence. The adjacent complex has agreed to pay half. How do we proceed? Do we each pay half the cost or do we pay the full invoice and recover their proportion from the neighbours?
We live in a small complex of eight units. A recent safety report suggested we replace a section of the boundary fence. The adjacent complex has agreed to pay half the cost.
We’ve obtained a quote, but what is the best arrangement for paying the fencer? Our body corporate manager looks after the adjacent complex. Should our body corporate pay for the fence in full and bill the neighbouring body corporate for their half or should each complex pay its contribution directly to the contractor?
Answer: Have both parties sign a fencing agreement and then get the contractor to split the invoice.
As one body corporate manager manages both sites this sounds like something they should be sorting out for you.
If it was me, I would have a fencing agreement signed between the two parties to ensure there was legal documentation of the decision to split costs. Then I would contact the contractor and ask them to split the bill in two – most will. If for some reason the contractor was unhappy to do this, the manager can arrange for one entity to pay the total and invoice the other for their share.
This post appears in Strata News #633.
William Marquand Tower Body Corporate E: willmarquand@towerbodycorporate.com.au P: 07 5609 4924