QLD: Is the strata manager obliged to report me to Council if I am advertising my apartment for short term letting on AirBnB?
Another lot owner in my building has complained to the strata manager that I am advertising my apartment on AirBnB. The lot owner insists the strata manager is obliged to report me to Council. Is it correct that 1 person in the building can make an accusation and the strata manager MUST report me to Council?
It is my understanding that if I live and run a business out of the unit, but it is primarily for residential use, I am allowed to have up to 4 persons stay on a short term basis. I don’t like being intimidated by a fellow resident when they are not in possession of the facts. How do I legally respond to the Strata Manager?
Answer: There’s nothing under body corporate legislation compelling the manager to do this.
There’s nothing under body corporate legislation compelling the manager to do this. There may be something in their contract, or under other legislation (although I doubt it). I should point out that regardless of whether the manager is or isn’t compelled to do so, it’s open to anyone to make a complaint to Council about the use of your lot. That might be another owner, a tenant, the committee, a contractor or indeed, a member of the public. The point being that it’s up to Council to decide whether or not to act upon a complaint they have enforcement power for.
You say it is your ‘understanding’ re: short-term letting. Do you know for sure what your rights and responsibilities are? If not, it might be a good idea to seek some qualified advice about it, because it is obviously an issue for you and others in your building. That would also answer your question about who might ‘legally sort this out’ for you.
This post appears in Strata News #492.
Chris Irons Strata Solve E: chris@stratasolve.com.au P: 0419 805 898