Question: Our owners corporation manager has never suggested we get a maintenance plan. Are they required to?
Our owners corporation manager has managed our property for years and never suggested the need or benefit of a maintenance plan. Why is this, and does the owners corporation manager have a responsibility to raise the need for a maintenance plan with the committee?
Answer: Unless a maintenance plan is legislatively required, a manager has no legal obligation to recommend one.
Because there was (and still is) no requirement under section 36 of the Owners Corporations Act 2006 for all owners corporations to obtain a plan, it is likely why they never offered it. Good management should offer a maintenance plan regardless of the legislative obligation or not. Otherwise, how does anyone know when and what to repair and maintain? The old thought mentality of “special levies as and when required” was probably used for some time.
In short, though, you would have no recourse against the manager at this time for simply not suggesting the plan that is not required. It does give you cause to think about whether you are getting value for money. Also, I wouldn’t rule out the fact that it was offered early on but rejected by older owners.
This post appears in the May 2026 edition of The VIC Strata Magazine.
Joel Chamberlain Horizon Strata Management Group E: joel.chamberlain@horizonstrata.com.au P: 03 9687 7788
