Question: A poorly constructed box gutter channels rainwater into our apartment. We’ve been requesting help from the owners corporation for years, but they keep pushing us aside. What do we do? We have a rooftop on our apartment that runs parallel with a poorly constructed box gutter. This box gutter has water runoff from other…
Question: Does the strata committee have the right to block me replacing my non-working aircon unit with a similar unit? I have applied to strata committee to replace my ageing non-working air conditioning unit with like replacement. I have sent detailed plan of replacement to the committee. There are no new attachments or invasion of…
Question: I’m seeking approval for new floorboard, but the committee insists upon a specific and expensive underlay. Can the owners corporation determine what underlay I use if I’m able to meet their requirements with a product I have chosen? I’m seeking permission from the Exec Committee to update my old floating floorboards to new…
Question: I’d like to carry out minor renovations to my unit’s bathroom and kitchen. What is a reasonable amount of time for the committee to approve minor renovations once all plan documents have been provided? Answer: The owners corporation has failed to exercise its function if it does not exercise it within 2 months of…
Question: Do we need permission from the owners corporation to install an entertaining area, including a sink and lighting, in our villa’s backyard? In a Villa complex can an owner build an entertainment area in their backyard? The structure’s roof is attached from the facia board under the eaves of the back of the villa to…
Question: The Owners Corporation is undertaking remedial waterproofing on a common property rooftop terrace which is included in our title. They have asked us to move our large pots and spa. Shouldn’t this be there cost? The Owners Corporation is undertaking remedial waterproofing on a common property rooftop terrace which is included in our…
Question: We own a villa in a two lot strata scheme that is in need of repainting. The owners of the other lot do not want to pay for the property to be repainted. We own a villa in a two lot strata scheme that is in need of repainting. The owners of the other…
Question: My neighbour’s unapproved bathroom renovations have caused damage to my lot but he will not give permission for access. What can I do? There has been a bylaw put in place that says the unit above me will pay for any damage caused by his unapproved bathroom renovation. There has been a leak causing…
Question: Can we combine 2 strata lots to create one large lot? What do we need to consider? We own a two-bedroom strata apartment and are considering buying the one-bedroom apartment next door to increase our overall space and give each of our daughters their own room, etc. If no one else’s lots, building stability,…
Question: If I replace my old window and the owners corporation decides to replace all windows in the future, will I be liable for the special levy? I am about to renovate my unit and want to replace an old window with a louver. This process will cost about $5,000. I don’t mind paying, however,…
Question: If an issue in common property leads to flooding in the unit and damage to the unit, is the owners corporation responsible to repair or reimburse the costs incurred to fix the damage? If an issue in common property leads to flooding in the unit and damage to the floor or ceiling within…
Question: My garage is in immediate need of repair to the point of causing damage to my car. I have requested maintenance but nothing is done. What can I do? My basement garage in my strata building has no glass in its windows, just some plasterboard covering where glass should be, and the window…
Question: In NSW strata, how many committee members are needed to agree for the approval of building repairs or works? What is the NSW strata law regarding how many committee members can approve building repairs or works? In our building of eight lots, we have always stood by four committee member approvals as a…
Question: Do we need permission to tile over the top of tiles in our townhouse bathroom and laundry? We will not be disturbing the waterproofing or original tiles? Answer: Tiles are hard surface flooring and therefore considered a “minor renovation” under the legislation. If the strata committee has been delegated the power to approve…
Question: Our neighbour drilled into our balcony to install an awning shade. What do we do now? Who is responsible if there is future damage due to the installation? Our downstairs neighbour got approval to set up an awning for her backyard. In her request she stated that drilling was ‘probably not required’, however,…
Question: Our sinking fund has run out of money and we need a lot of repairs and maintenance done to common property. the window paint has all peeled off and in some cases starting to rot, lintels are rusting, there is a very large common area window that needs to be replaced (totally rusted)…
Question: Can approval be granted for lot owner renovation – with a condition that works are NOT to commence before a certain date? A lot owner has made a application for a bathroom renovation with By-law included etc. At the upcoming AGM, can approval for the renovation be granted with a condition that works…
Question: A builder has confirmed I have water between my tiles and the waterproofing layer in my bathroom. I have contacted strata. What do I do now? I had noticed something wrong with the grout in my bathroom and my metal door frames are starting to get corrosion on them. I organised for a…
Question: My balcony cannot be viewed from any common property. Can I retile my balcony as long as the finish is in keeping with the building without OC approval for the renovations being asked? I appreciate that maintenance and replacement of my balcony structure and it’s waterproof membrane are the responsibility of our Strata….
Question: At no cost to the owners corporation, we’d like to paint an unpainted common area exterior wall. How can we get this action sanctioned and take advantage of this improvement? It has been suggested that we have some unsightly unpainted interior walls in our complex spruced up with a coat of paint. Currently,…