I have been requested to repair the balcony doors as water is making its way to the unit below. The Body Corporation is expecting me to foot the cost of removing the doors and waterproofing even though that is a sub-standard repair. Your suggestions would be welcome. – Tim, QLD

Q: I have been requested to repair the balcony doors as water is making its way to the unit below. The doors appear to be installed directly to the balcony slab on original construction with the balcony tiles laid in front of the door frame so that the height of the tiles is higher than the base of the frame.

This situation, in my opinion, is the cause of the leaking by not allowing water to escape fully. There is now a failure of the waterproofing membrane as effervescence is apparent in the grouting and it was only a matter of time that leaking would occur given the construction faults.

The Body Corporation is going to remove the first row of tiles and waterproof them, then re-tile, but is expecting me to foot the cost of removing the doors and waterproofing even though that is a sub-standard repair. The doors should be on a raised hob and should have been done correctly in the first place.

Your suggestions would be welcome.

 

A: A good place to start could be to look at your building format plan as this will specify what areas of the balcony belong to you and are therefore your responsibility, and which areas are common property, which will be body corporate responsibility.

Generally speaking, however, waterproofing is usually a body corporate responsibility when it comes to paying for repairs and maintenance.

If you believe it is unfair to be paying for building works that were not optimally installed during development, you may wish to bring the matter up with your committee or body corporate manager. It may also be an option to bring the matter up with The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT). Unfortunately, it may still come down to your responsibility as the lot owner to cover some associated costs.