Our body corp bank account is underfunded as we have $13,000 of work outstanding. The other owner insists on fixing only her windows as they are urgent and refuses to agree to any of my agenda items. I have suggested we each pay $6,000 as a one off into the account, on the understanding that all maintenance items be carried out immediately and that we increase the annual contribution to the body corp to $2,000 to establish a sinking fund. Last year I offered to lend the body corporate enough to get the work done; she refused that. What can I do? – Jenny, QLD

Q: I am an owner occupier in a duplex body corp. The downstairs unit is tenanted. Our body corp bank account is underfunded as we have $13,000 of work outstanding (some of it for years) and only $11,018 in the bank.

The other owner insists on fixing only her windows at around $7,000 as they are urgent and refuses to agree to any of my agenda items. I have suggested we each pay $6,000 as a one off into the account, on the understanding that all maintenance items be carried out immediately and that we increase the annual contribution to the body corp to $2,000 to establish a sinking fund.

Last year I offered to lend the body corporate enough to get the work done; she refused that. What can I do?

 

A: There are a couple of options that you may wish to take. If your body corporate is self-managed and you are finding it difficult to reach decisions, as you’ve told, it may be worth getting a body corporate manager.

A good body corporate manager can help ensure that there are adequate funds to support repairs and maintenance of your body corporate property. They can also help the body corporate committee come to an agreement when there are opposing opinions.

If you are interested in a free assessment and quote for body corporate management, click here.

Alternatively, you can enter into what is known as a lot owners agreement. This requires both owners in your duplex to sign and date the agreement, which will contain all matters that are agreed upon by yourself and the other owner.

The agreement may contain matters such as insurance for the property, maintenance and improvement of your common property and the payment of premiums for insurance and maintenance.