Question: During the sale of our apartment, the purchaser’s building report indicated a leak in the roof. The body corporate manager’s delay in securing a plumber has placed the sale in jeopardy. Can we insist a plumber attend immediately?
We are in the process of selling our apartment The purchaser instigated a building report. The report came back showing water damage in the ceiling on the top floor which is coming from the roof and water damage on the wall in the laundry.
We are waiting for the body corporate manager to arrange for a plumber to inspect the roof, however, we have had a specialist plumber inspect the laundry and they have found that it is an external issue whereby there is a major leak in the common downpipe and awning which is permeating the concrete into our apartment.
The body corporate manager has advised they can’t get a plumber to attend for weeks. This has placed the sale in jeopardy. We have paid $3000 in advertising costs to sell the property. Can we demand that a plumber attends immediately?
Also, if the report indicates it is most definitely a body corporate issue, can the committee refuse to undertake the repairs?
Answer: You can demand a plumber to come sooner but that does not mean it can necessarily take place faster if a plumber is not available.
Yes – a lot owner can demand a plumber to come sooner but that does not mean it can necessarily take place faster if a plumber is not available.
If the reports clearly show the defect and cause of the water ingress relates to an item that the body corporate is responsible for repairing, then the body corporate has an obligation to carry out the necessary remedial works – there is no discretion available.
Todd Garsden Mahoneys E: tgarsden@mahoneys.com.au P: 07 3007 3753