My neighbour refuses to share the insurance costs in our 1×2 duplex and this is affecting my insurance. What are my options? – Helen, NSW

I live in a 1×2 duplex in a strata title. My neighbour won’t go half’s in insurance, as he says can’t afford it! So I have been told  I cannot not insure without him paying also. It has created a communication barrier between us . What do I do?

– Helen, NSW

If discussions on sharing in the cost of insurance with your neighbour haven’t been successful, you should formally write to your neighbour attaching the insurance quotes and requesting they meet their proportion of costs based on Unit of Entitlement.

In NSW, there is a legislative requirement under Section 160 of the Strata Schemes Management Act for all strata properties to have the whole of the building insured. Your neighbour has an obligation to meet their share of these costs and you can go through The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) to seek orders for them to pay these costs if they refuse.

You should make sure that you do not allow the building to be uninsured at any time. This may mean paying the full cost of the building cover required and then seeking reimbursement from your neighbour.