Strata topics
Our strata electricity bill is very high. Which supplier do you recommend we contact to reduce this cost? – Olwyn S, NSW
Perhaps you’re already on a good plan and probably have other reasons for the high electricity bills. Anything from a faulty …
I live by myself in a strata townhouse and would like to own a dog as a companion. Do I need permission for this? – Melissa, NSW
When it comes to owning and managing pets in strata properties, the first thing to do is to check the by-laws …
Does strata pay for external washing of windows on the second storey of my townhouse? – Erica, NSW
Your levy payments or fees are likely to cover this type of service, but this depends on the by-laws in place …
I own an apartment in Sydney. Our neighbours smoke right next to our main bedroom and of course the smell wafts in. We can never leave the windows open because of that. Strata has sent 2 letters in regards to the smoke situation but there’s been no improvement. What can strata do at this point? Can I get strata to install non smoking signs in all the entrances of the building? – Michael, NSW
It depends on where your neighbours are standing while they smoke – are they doing this within the premises of their …
Who is responsible for maintaining gutters in the front of my townhouse and fixing the leaking roof that is damaging the carpet inside? – Debbie. C, NSW
If the gutters are part of common property, your strata committee or owners corporation would be responsible for maintaining this. It …
I act for my uncle who owns a property. The unit is leased because he is in full-time residential care. Are the tenants allowed to use his unit for short-term letting? The owner does not want this to occur. Is it permissible for a tenant to ignore such a direction? – Tony, NSW
Tenants cannot let out the unit without the permission of the landlord or violate the terms of the lease that prohibits …
Who is responsible for repair costs relating to retaining walls between my villa and common property? Greg, NSW
If it’s part of common property under a strata scheme, your strata committee would be responsible for maintaining this. It depends …
How can body corporates stop Airbnb or short term rentals in Queensland? Glen, QLD
In Queensland, body corporates cannot stop or restrict short-term rentals. While the body corporate oversees and maintains the common property and …
The occupants of the apartment immediately below mine sometimes smoke in their balcony and the smoke gets into my apartment. I like to keep my balcony door open for fresh air. How can I get them to stop? – Johannes, NSW
If they’re smoking on their own balcony or within the premises of their own property, there’s not much the strata committee …
I live in a community development. The community association want to install better pool security. This includes access fobs for which they want to charge a fee in addition to community levies. Those without a fob will not be able to access the facility. Can they do this? – Chris, NSW
Yes, the community association can install pool security, and every property would need to get a fob for access to the …
My flat suffered damage to ceilings and walls due to a leak in the communal roof above. My strata managers are insisting that any repairs made inside my flat whilst caused by the faulty roof are my financial responsibility. how do I proceed with getting the strata to accept responsibility for my repairs? – Gary, NSW
You can share your insurance details with your strata manager. They should be able to take up the concern with the …
Can a body corporate not permit a restaurant owner/renter from putting energy-saving solar panels on the roof to cut down electricity bills? – Judith, QLD
Body corporates may have the power to place restrictions on alterations made to the exterior of a building such as the …
Can the parking by-laws of common property not be amended without all owners voting? And does the majority vote take precedence? Would the motion be an ordinary resolution vote or a resolution without dissent? – Kelly, NSW
Some owners in our strata complex want to make changes to the common area by-laws in relation to visitors parking. The …
How do I get a certificate of non-coverage from body corporate? I needed to replace my carpet after the hot water heater burst and the insurance has requested this. – Rob, NSW
You can ask your strata manager to connect directly with their insurance provider, and they should be able to help you …
My unit has a leaking cold water pipe under the slab inside the unit. Who is responsible for the repairs? – Kevin, QLD
You need to reach out to your body corporate manager and familiarise yourself with the boundaries of properties. Find out if …