Building compliance
Building compliance
Find answers for issues with unexpected building costs, property insurance, managing building defects, and more
Cracks started to appear in my walls and ceilings as a result of extensive renovations by new owners. When I mentioned this to the new owners, the reply was “that wasn’t us, that was the builders”. What can I do about this? – Robyn, NSW
Q: Around the middle of last year, 2019, following the death of the man in the apartment above mine, his apartment …
We live in a self-managed block of strata units. If a bathroom has been renovated and taken away from its originality, is it the responsibility of the owners’ corporation to maintain this bathroom in order to keep water from penetrating into the unit below or does it come under the responsibility of the owner to maintain his premises and keep in good order. – Jeanette, NSW
Q: We live in a self-managed block of strata units. If a bathroom has been renovated and taken away from its …
Two units in our building have refused access for fire safety checks and repairs despite repeated requests for the past 3 months. We only have a few days left to submit the FSS to council or risk being fined $1,000 per week. Can you please advise on what we can do? – Cassie, NSW
Q: I am the main contact for an owner’s corp in Sydney. Two units in our building have refused access for …
I recently bought a unit and started some renovations that I later found out fell under minor and I should have applied for approval first. I put the application in and am now concerned that they are not going to approve it. Any advice on how I can respond to strata? – Sarah, NSW
Q: I recently bought a unit and due to a lack of awareness of strata requirements, I started some renovations that …
Is it obligatory for electricity fuse boxes installed on the exterior of a unit to be brought and installed inside? – Gloria, NSW
Q: Is it obligatory for electricity fuse boxes installed on the exterior of a unit to be brought and installed inside?
A: …
The committee has decided to repaint the building, what process is required to change the existing colour scheme? – Peter, QLD
Q: The committee has decided to repaint the building, what process is required to change the existing colour scheme?
A: If your …
Can an owner completely enclose a balcony to make another room? – Betty, NSW
Q: Can an owner completely enclose a balcony to make another room?
A: If this work includes major changes such as erecting …
We would like to install a new underground garage below the existing garden which is common property. Could you let us know key steps to achieve this and any obstacles/issues to be aware of? – Andrew, NSW
Q: We would like to install a new underground garage below the existing garden which is common property.
The common property would …
What is the easiest way for a townhouse extension to proceed and how can you protect other owners from future liability for the extension and the extension owner? – Vivienne, NSW
Q: Our strata includes four two-storey townhouses which are grouped together in twos. One townhouse owner has submitted plans to extend …
A shower drain was blocked and a plumber was issued with a work order by the body corporate to clear it. The plumber advised that the blockage was mainly caused by human hair. Is the responsibility for payment on the owner of the unit, or the body corporate? – Peter, NSW
Q: A shower drain was blocked and a plumber was issued with a work order by the body corporate to clear …
The body corporate have approached me to install a downpipe from this guttering. The downpipe would have to be on common property to work? Could you advise me as to whose responsibility this would be please? – Margaret, QLD
Q: I live in the first stage of a cojoined town Complex built in 1993. I am in an end unit …
I am exploring the idea of extensively renovating my unit. Please advise – what is the standard requirements and approvals – that may need to be obtained? Can I just start work and deal with things with strata – as they arise? – James, NSW
Q: I am exploring the idea of extensively renovating my unit that is managed by PICA strata agent – involving completely …
We are renovating our 2 bathrooms. If the tenants do not stop using the adjoining main bathroom immediately our newly tiled main bathroom will have to be demolished and redone. Our builder cannot proceed with the en-suite waterproofing and tiling. What do you advise?- Karen, QLD
Q: We are renovating our 2 bathrooms. Tiles were completely removed from both bathrooms. Main bathroom has been waterproofed and newly …
Can I install a divider along the cyclone fencing near my garage to keep my space clean and secure? – Kathy, QLD
Question:
My garage is made up of three car spaces, each divided by a cyclone wire fence. The other two tenants …
I’m an owner of a lot who has a property tenanted. I recently had an application approved for some flooring to be approved against the wishes of a couple of certain lot owners in the building trying to make it difficult for us for no reason. We were in full compliance so it all went through eventually. Since and during the dates of our application and approval process, all of a sudden our tenants have been the victim of bullying and harassment due to them making “noise” constantly in which we have proof that when they were asked to ” be quiet” they weren’t even home or even in the country at one point. Where do we stand re this as we do not want to become in arrears to our strata but also do not want fall victim to being bullied and harassed? – Stephen, NSW
Q: I’m an owner of a lot who has a property tenanted. I recently had an application approved for some flooring …