Who is responsible for installing and paying for a waterproof membrane in a leaking shower recess in a property built before waterproof membranes were required under the BCA? – Marilyn, NSW

In New South Wales, waterproofing is categorised as a major renovation work. Also, walls and shared plumbing are generally part of strata common property, and therefore usually owners corporation responsibility to fix and maintain.

You should get in touch with your strata manager or owners corporation to get clarity on who is responsible for the repair work and how it may affect your property. That way, you can ensure that your property is complaint with the  minimum performance requirement for waterproofing shower areas, as specified in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) Volume Two.

For more information on the different types of renovation work allowed in NSW, you may read this article.