The wood underneath our balcony has rotted and needs to be repaired. Please can you advise if this is covered under body corporate services and by the sinking funds? If so is this a straightforward repair and maintenance request? – Roxanne, QLD

Q: Hi – The wood underneath our balcony has rotted and needs to be repaired. Please can you advise if this is covered under body corporate services and by the sinking funds? If so is this a straightforward repair and maintenance request?

In addition, if our sinking fund is low, is there a method of being next in line so to speak when it comes to getting our property repaired?

 

A: The best place to start would be to check your building format plan or by-laws. These documents should tell you whether the affected areas are considered a part of your lot (making it owner responsibility), or common property (making it body corporate responsibility).

If the area is common property, it will be handled by your body corporate which means funds from the sinking fund will be used to action your repairs and maintenance request.

In terms of having repairs carried out quickly, we recommend you bring the topic up in a meeting, or with your body corporate manager or committee. Other factors may also come into play such as the severity/urgency of the required repairs and maintenance. If the rotting wood presents a health and safety hazard, it will naturally need to be remedied with priority.