Q: Can an owner claim repair for his unit’s shower floor and wall tiles re-grout and reseal. The said owner has already previously claimed for installation of his shower PVC trap & fittings. The problem is his unit is being rented and not maintained to avoid damages. Is there a way how to make him be responsible to maintaining and attending to his unit’s issue before the problem gets worse and repair costs more?
Can an owner claim repair for his unit’s shower floor and wall tiles re-grout and reseal? – Adele, NSW
A: As waterproofing and tiles are fixed to the boundary wall (floor), the repair is considered a strata matter – unless a reference states otherwise on your strata plan or by-laws.
If the shower recess has not been waterproofed in the last ten years, it could be reasonable to assume that the cause is wear and tear unless there is obvious evidence of malicious damage.
The owners corporation may wish to consider undertaking preventative repairs to all showers at the property by applying a top seal. However, this, too, would be a strata initiative and cost.
The committee typically relies on the tenant (via their agent) or owner-occupier to report any maintenance issues. The property manager should also carry out periodic inspections to raise matters that need addressing.
