Strata property matters
Strata property matters
Find answers for issues with neighbours, noise complaints, troublesome parking, bullying and harassment, and more
What rights do committee members have to vote against the strata committee’s decisions in regard to common property? – Chris, NSW
All committee members must make a decision that is in the best interests of the property overall.
What can owners on the bottom floor do about where the garbage sits as the odour carries into their apartment? – Colette, NSW
Garbage should be stored in a designated garbage room.
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 …
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 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 …
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 …
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 …
Security patrols around my building have been recently lowered. Due to this I have been thinking of installing a home security system (alarm only not CCTV). Does this need to be approved by the committee? – Matt, QLD
The alarm is likely to be placed on an external wall that is common property. So, to be able to make …
How much is the strata fees per apartment in a large complex with gardens and pool facilities? I just need an approximate value. The complex has 300 units in 9 Apartment blocks. – Nelly, NSW
In addition to the available facilities, number and dimensions of properties, there are a number of factors that could affect 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 …
Does a Body Corporate Community have to pay tax? – Dianne, QLD
Body corporates are treated as public companies under the tax law, and must lodge a tax return for any year in …
I would like to paint my back wooden fence. Do I need to make application or notify the body corp? – David, QLD
If the fence is part of the common property, you can make an improvement or change if approved by the committee …
I am thinking of buying into a unit block. How do I find out about their strata, if they are having problems, or if the scheme has any planned future works that I will have to contribute to? – Judy, NSW
You can pre-arrange it with the strata management company to conduct an inspection. You need to pay the inspection fee as …