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: Is a special resolution required for the removal of a large hedge at the front of our five lot strata building? Our block of 5 units has a very large hedge at the front of the property. The hedge provides privacy from the street for two of the apartments. The hedge also provides…
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: A lot owner has carried out works on his balcony and installed air conditioning without approval. What steps should the OC take to protect themselves? An owner has tiled his balcony and installed air conditioning with a visible compressor sitting on the balcony. The owner has not obtained permission and we do not…
Question: Who is responsible for a broken window in a strata unit? Who is responsible for a broken window in a strata unit? Who should be invoiced – the tenant (occupying at the time the glass broke), the owners, or the Owners Corporation? I have read the Fair Trading Common Property Memorandum but under 9 Windows…
Question: Two large common property trees are blocking views and sunlight in our 5 lot scheme. The majority want them trimmed, but two owners disagree and say we cannot trim the trees. How do we proceed? In a block of 5 units, we have two trees in our common garden. The trees have grown…
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: 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: I want to install solar panels. Before I can install solar panels, I need to upgrade my fuse box. Isn’t it the responsibility of the owners corporation to pay for a fuse box upgrade? I am in a strata complex of 20 units and would like to install solar panels. Before I can…
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: How many committee members need to sign off on the approval for repairs or building maintenance work for NSW strata properties? Our new Strata Manager is approving work quotes when only one or two committee members have OK’d it verbally, without including the other committee members in any correspondence. Answer: Email direction is…
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)…
The new defects rectification guide has been launched in NSW. The NSW Government has written a step by step guide which helps Strata Managers and property owners with identifying and then rectifying defects in apartment buildings in a seamless process. This is a first of its kind for government and it enables the government…
Question: Is it possible to access a unit if the owner has not granted permission but the tenant has? This is for the sake of a dye test and roofing repairs. Answer: The occupier needs to give his consent, therefore, the committee may enter the lot because it is the occupier’s consent which is…
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…