Question: I need to turn off the water to the building to replace my isolation tap below the laundry sink. Should I contact the corporate body to advise about the water stoppage?
The tap that isolates my unit’s water is under our laundry sink. It needs replacing.
As the water will need to be turned off to the building to replace this tap, do residents have to be notified?
Should I organise a plumber or contact the body corporate? Please outline the steps I need to take.
Answer: If you require a water stoppage to the building, you would contact the body corporate manager or committee and arrange a time.
There is no fixed protocol for handling these requests, although it is a common issue.
Generally, if you require a water stoppage to the building, you would contact the body corporate manager or committee and arrange a time it can be done. Depending on how long you require the stoppage, the body corporate might ask for a reasonable period of notice so they can advise occupants. They may also stipulate time periods in which the work can occur, say from 9 am to 3 pm, to avoid disruption to other residents.
The body corporate can’t really say no to a request like this. The legislation requires you to maintain your property in good condition and occasional water stoppages are unavoidable. However, it is important the request is reasonable. If you just call up when the plumber is onsite and ask to turn off the water, the response may be negative.
This post appears in Strata News #677.
William Marquand Tower Body Corporate E: willmarquand@towerbodycorporate.com.au P: 07 5609 4924