Building compliance
Building compliance
Find answers for issues with unexpected building costs, property insurance, managing building defects, and more
What responsibilities do strata managers and lot owners need to take with water penetration on the asbestos garage? – Colton, NSW
Our Strata just consist of 4 units.
The garage is simply getting old (our garage is only made of asbestos and other …
Our bathroom ceiling needs repainting. The roof was fixed but not the ceiling at the time. The ‘secretary’ is saying someone from the body corporate has to come in and have a look at it first. Is she having a lend of me? – Tina, NSW
Our bathroom ceiling needs repainting. The roof was fixed but not the ceiling at the time. Now I have asked the …
The shower can’t be regulated very hot or very cold and won’t stay normal because of other units running at same time. It’s very dangerous for if I need a carer in the future they won’t know when the temperature changers. Appears there is nothing that can be done. Even investigated getting a system for the shower heating but have been told nothing can be done. – Dawn, QLD
Hello Dawn, please refer to the link provided as it will provide details of who is responsible for matters depending on …
Are you aware if the NSW Government has plans to enforce that older Strata buildings, such as the three storey walk up apartment buildings, to install fire safety equipment? Obviously this would be a big expense for many strata plans. – Margaret, NSW
Hi Margaret, your concern about the cost to install fire equipment at the strata plan is understandable. However, the cost of …
I have a query about water damage. Lets say something fails in a unit, such as a hot water system, dishwasher or an aquarium. There is damage in that unit, the unit below and common property. Who pays? Does the unit owner or resident pay via contents insurance or does strata through their insurance? – Tony, NSW
Hello Tony, responsibility will depend on the damage to the units and common property. Accidents happen from time to time, and …
My body corporate says that the windows in our villas are body corporate responsibility but the doors to outside are not. Also the courtyards are exclusive use but who is responsibility for their maintenance. Do body corporate get set individually by the body corporate of the building and then are different to the states strata by laws? – Veronica, QLD
Hello Veronica, depending on the type of scheme you are living in, there may be different responsibilities of the owners …
How do we change by laws to get rid of Airbnb – 1 only – disrupting the peaceful living of all other residents and driving up the water bill which is shared amongst all units – they advertise 8 people staying – the unit has 3 bedrooms. – Angel, QLD
Hi Angel, the Body Corporate and Community Management Act does not permit any by-laws to be made to restrict the type …
My fence is rotten. It’s 20 years old I applied this time last year for a new one, the main man keeps coming up with excuses, yet when there is a meeting he claims travel expenses, he does have a property near me but lives in Sydney & that’s where he claims travel expenses from which I don’t agree with. In the 12 months that I have lived here all that’s been done is mulch for the gardens & a pest inspection. I would like some advice please. – Mary, QLD
Hello Mary, a body corporate must maintain the common property in a good and structurally sound condition and the owner of …
Are we required by law to have an annual fire safety inspection. – Lynne, NSW
Hi Lynne, this is dependant on a few factors such as type of building, age, location. The fire regulations have been …
Is it true that balconies are common property and changes can only be made with the approval of the Executive Committee? If so can I change the colour of my balcony tiles or remove them and put down a different, tile free surface? – John, NSW
Hello John, the most likely answer is that the balcony space is the owners and the structure i.e. the perimeter wall …
Can you please advise who is responsible for fixing a wired smoke alarm that is not attached to the ceiling correctly? The strata is advising that this is the owners responsibility, but given that there is an annual fire inspection conducted by a fire services company, I would have thought that this would be their responsibility? – Nick, NSW
Hello Nick, if the smoke detectors are hardwired and connected to a fire board, they are the owners corporations responsibility to …
Is the Body Corporate responsible for repairs to balcony tiles. – Danny, QLD
Hello Danny, this may depend on whether the balcony area is on common property or private property. If it is on …
Our building requires remedial work, the major focus being on fire regulatory compliance and water issues. Our strata company have been less than forthcoming with important information, along with engaging expensive services. The strata management company and co are expecting the owners consent for a five million-dollar shortfall but this is out of the question. Are you able to assist us with information that may aid our cause? – Simone, NSW
Question: I live in an 18 year old warehouse conversion in Sydney and our building requires remedial work, the major focus …
A person who is not a resident or visitor is parking in our designated visitor parking space. The only visible sign states that it’s visitor parking. What is the best way to remove illegal parking? – Andrew, QLD
Answer: Dealing with unknown cars on your property, that definitely does not belong to an owner, occupant or visitor is tricky, …
We’ve taken over the management of a complex and found the anchor points have not be re-certified. Under legislation, even if these items of infrastructure never get used, do they still have to be re-certified? Also, where can I find the information stating the legislation? – Christiansen, QLD
Question: My question is in relation to rope access safety points on building roofs and awnings. We’ve taken over the management …