This article discusses strata intercom handset maintenance responsibility and when the owner or strata must cover the repair.
Question: I own a unit in Perth. The building is about 20 years old. The intercom handset in my unit is not working. The strata committee says it’s up to me to replace it. Is this correct? The handset is part of a strata-wide system of comms for the front entrance. How can this be the owner’s responsibility?
Answer: It would be worthwhile to speak to the Strata Council and look to appoint a technician to attend to ascertain if it’s the handset/ cabling and then work out the responsibility based on any applicable by-laws and the technicians report.
The general duties of a Strata Scheme in WA is detailed under Section 91 of the Strata Titles Act, which states a strata company must keep in good and serviceable repair, properly maintain and, if necessary, renew and replace common property. If the intercom handset is not working and it is common property then it should be fixed or replaced by the Strata Company.
There are, however, some things that needs to be considered. Are there are enough funds in the budget and can the intercom can be fixed? The other consideration is that there are by-laws registered to each scheme that can also determine who is responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement of items that only service one lot. As an example, cabling within the unit’s internal walls that only services the individual lot, pipes, cabling for phone or internet, tv cabling, electrical wiring, or similar that is for the exclusive use of the lot, may be deemed that Lot Owner’s responsibility.
It would be worthwhile to speak to the Strata Council and look to appoint a technician to attend to ascertain if it’s the handset/ cabling and then work out the responsibility based on any applicable by-laws and the technicians report.
This post appears in Strata News #597.
Jamie Horner
Empire Estate Agents
E: JHorner@empireestateagents.com
P: (08) 9262 0400
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