Our building requires remedial work, the major focus being on fire regulatory compliance and water issues. Our strata company have been less than forthcoming with important information, along with engaging expensive services. The strata management company and co are expecting the owners consent for a five million-dollar shortfall but this is out of the question. Are you able to assist us with information that may aid our cause? – Simone, NSW

Question: I live in an 18 year old warehouse conversion in Sydney and our building requires remedial work, the major focus being on fire regulatory compliance and water issues. Our strata company have been less than forthcoming with important information, along with engaging the services of an expensive project manager and an executive committee (EC), previously consisting of five members but now three. Two of the EC members have recently sold out when it became apparent how much our RW budget has blown out due to carelessness on behalf of the strata company, project manager and EC. The next general meeting is on 27 August and a group of concerned owners began emailing each other with information that we’re gathering daily. We’ve decided the EC is no longer tenable. They’ve been dismissive of concerns regarding unreasonable quotes we’ve been presented. Information has been lost or not archived, that is, the technical fire report. We have to pay for the retrieval of the report even though it should not have been archived. The strata management company and co are expecting the owners consent for a five million-dollar shortfall but this is out of the question, mainly because according to the owners calculations, this vastly inflated amount is an over quote. I feel like, as owners we have been misled, ill-advised and actually railroaded by our strata company, which is refusing to answer our questions. The project manager wants to stick by the inflated quote and the executive committee members are attempting to maintain their power to save face and keep their positions of self importance. Are you able to assist us with information that may aid our cause?

– Simone, NSW

Answer: Every annual general meeting (AGM), the owners elect a committee. You might want to consider joining the committee to gain more oversight and involvement in the day-to-day operation of the strata property. However, if your meeting on 27 August is just a general meeting to approve remedial work, you have the option of voting against the proposals (if you’re an owner). In relation to your concerns about remedial work, we would recommend seeking legal advice on the contract terms. Furthermore, it’s good practice to obtain three tenders for any large remedial work to ensure you’re getting value. If you’re unhappy with the existing strata management company, PICA Group can provide a quote if you submit your details: allstrataservices.com.au/get-quote-today/.