My block of flats (16) in total have old terracotta pipes that are breaking down and causing blockages forcing back raw sewerage into 6 of the flats it’s affecting. We have been informed by the body corporate that the owners have to pay to get this fixed. As the pipework is underground and in a common property area I would just assume that it’s the body corporate responsibility to pay not the owners. -Amelia, VIC

Q: My block of flats (16) in total have old terracotta pipes that are breaking down and causing blockages forcing back raw sewerage into 6 of the flats it’s affecting.

We have been informed by the body corporate that the owners have to pay to get this fixed.

We have obtained a quote for all new pipes costing $16, 704 in total my share being $2784 (already paid).

As the pipework is underground and in a common property area I would just assume that it’s the body corporate responsibility to pay not the owners.

 

A: That is correct, as it is the owners corporation’s responsibility to pay for works carried out on common property.

It may be worth checking your building rules and plan to confirm 100 per cent if the area affected is common property or not.