I am engaged in a dispute with my body corporate about how the new COVID-19 legislation enacted last year and the recent amendment to the extension of levy payments should be implemented. I have had a lot of contact with my body corporate management but could not get any practical solutions to my hardship due to COVID-19. So, I stopped paying my levies and started to pay $150.00 per fortnight. I have just increased this to $300.00 per fortnight. They have now instigated legal action for me to pay the outstanding amount plus letter fees. What is my position? – Alan, QLD

Q: I am engaged in a dispute with my body corporate, about how the new COVID-19 legislation enacted last year and the recent amendment to the extension of levy payments should be implemented.

I have had a lot of contact with my body corporate management but could not get any practical solutions to my hardship due to COVID-19. So, I stopped paying my levies and started to pay $150.00 per fortnight. I have just increased this to $300.00 per fortnight.
They have now instigated legal action for me to pay the outstanding amount plus letter fees. What is my position? – Alan, QLD

 

A: It may be worth finding out if you are still within the extension period for levy payments. This will allow you more time to sort out the necessary finances.

Refer to the legislation amendments and your by-laws if there are any mentions of no penalties for unpaid levies due to COVID-19.

Unfortunately, your only option may have to be paying back the amount in arrears at some point. It would have been best to make arrangements regarding levy amounts and payment dates first.