This question about common property boundary lines has been answered by Jan Browne, Bridge Strata.
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- QUESTION: There seems to be some varying views about what is the owners’ property and what is common property and where the boundaries are. Can you please clarify this?
- Question: Due to a water leak at our building between the internal walls of two units, we are trying to locate the common property boundary lines. Is there a resource to assist for ACT Strata Schemes?
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Question: There seems to be some varying views about what is the owners’ property and what is common property and where the boundaries are. Can you please clarify this?
I live in a recently completed townhouse development in the ACT.
There seems to be some varying views about what is the owners’ property and what is common property and where the boundaries are.
I noted in a recent newsletter there was a reference to a Plan of Subdivision in Victoria and I wondered if there was a similar document for developments registered in the ACT.
Your advice would be much appreciated.
Answer: This will depend if Class A or Class B. Most townhouse developments are Class B.
This will depend if Class A or Class B. Most townhouse developments are Class B.
Definitions of A and B Class under Unit Titles Act 2001
The boundary of an A-Class unit is midway between the walls, floors and ceilings.
The boundary of a B class unit has boundaries unlimited by height unless there is an encroachment above or below ground level by another part of the parcel.
(This means that the B class unit is a piece of land identified in the Units Plan upon which buildings (townhouse/garage/carports) have been erected.)
The boundary of a unit subsidiary lies along the centre of the wall. Everything outside that central line is common property.
Responsibility for Repair and Maintenance
Owners corporation is responsible for repair and maintenance of common property.
Owners corporation is also responsible for repair and maintenance of load-bearing structures and balconies in A-class developments.
Unit owners are responsible for repair and maintenance of their unit.
Jan Browne
Bridge Strata
P: 02 6109 7700
E: [email protected]
This post appears in Strata News #385.
Question: Due to a water leak at our building between the internal walls of two units, we are trying to locate the common property boundary lines. Is there a resource to assist for ACT Strata Schemes?
We have a water leak at our building between the internal walls of two units. We are trying to locate the common property boundary lines. Is this part of a water pipe “common property” or “within boundary walls”, and hence who is responsible for fixing the problem? Is it the Body Corporate’s responsibility?
We located this link to NSW Fair Trading: Repairs and maintenance in a strata scheme. Is there a similar resource for strata schemes in the ACT?
I’m looking forward to hearing your advice.
Answer: There has been a set of Fact Sheets developed by Justice and Community Safety (JACS).
See FactSheet #4 Class A Units and FactSheet #5 Class B Units in ACT. For detailed information on Class A & Class B Units in the ACT, take a look at this page from the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate – Planning: Unit Titles. Class A is traditionally units and Class B is Town House developments. One development is vertical, the other horizontal.
Hopefully, in time a booklet similar to NSW Strata Living could be developed by ACT.
Jan Browne
Bridge Strata
P: 02 6109 7700
E: [email protected]
This post appears in Strata News #194.
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