During away on holiday someone tried to break into my apartment. The door became heavily damaged, it has split. Strata is refusing to pay the cost saying that “I cannot do a repair and charge back”. Is this lawful, given the fact that the additional damage was caused by the delay of the strata fixing the door? I went to mediation but strata did not even reply. Is there any way to get back my money? -Ottilia, NSW

Q: During away on holiday someone tried to break into my apartment. The door became heavily damaged, it has split.

I reported it to the strata, nothing happened. 3 weeks later the lock broke due to the weight of the damaged door. As an emergency I called a locksmith. I paid $220 dollars. Strata is refusing to pay the cost saying that “I cannot do a repair and charge back”.

Is this lawful, given the fact that the additional damage was caused by the delay of the strata fixing the door? I went to mediation but strata did not even reply. Is there any way to get back my money?

A: It would be best to check your strata plan to see if the door is owner or a strata/owners corporation responsibility. This will help determine who is responsible for the payment of repairs, as well as the strata committee’s right in rejecting to reimburse the cost of the door repair.

You may also wish to get in contact with your strata manager. They can help guide you and act as an intermediary if necessary, and advise on the next appropriate step if your committee or an appointed representative did not attend mediation.