How often are strata buildings supposed to get a fire alarm safety check? – Virginia, NSW
There are a two factors that come into play when answering your query. They depend on the type of fire alarms …
What responsibilities do strata managers and lot owners need to take with water penetration on the asbestos garage? – Colton, NSW
Our Strata just consist of 4 units.
The garage is simply getting old (our garage is only made of asbestos and other …
Until recently the stairwells were cleaned once a month. To save money this was voted out two years ago and I slipped and fell in the stairwell. My concern is keeping the stairwells in a clean and safe state. – Janice, QLD
Hello Janice, as stated, cancelling the cleaning service was due to costs, our suggestion would be to ask what the block …
What sort of permission do I need to install solar panels above my unit? – Mark, NSW
Any change in appearance of a lot requires permission from the owners corporation. This is done by having a special by-law …
Our bathroom ceiling needs repainting. The roof was fixed but not the ceiling at the time. The ‘secretary’ is saying someone from the body corporate has to come in and have a look at it first. Is she having a lend of me? – Tina, NSW
Our bathroom ceiling needs repainting. The roof was fixed but not the ceiling at the time. Now I have asked the …
The shower can’t be regulated very hot or very cold and won’t stay normal because of other units running at same time. It’s very dangerous for if I need a carer in the future they won’t know when the temperature changers. Appears there is nothing that can be done. Even investigated getting a system for the shower heating but have been told nothing can be done. – Dawn, QLD
Hello Dawn, please refer to the link provided as it will provide details of who is responsible for matters depending on …
In an apartment unit with two bedrooms and one bathroom, is it possible to add an additional toilet? – Nishant, NSW
This addition will be classed as a major renovation as the waterproofing will be disrupted in the bathroom. A by-law for …
My body corporate says that the windows in our villas are body corporate responsibility but the doors to outside are not. Also the courtyards are exclusive use but who is responsibility for their maintenance. Do body corporate get set individually by the body corporate of the building and then are different to the states strata by laws? – Veronica, QLD
Hello Veronica, depending on the type of scheme you are living in, there may be different responsibilities of the owners …
How do we change by laws to get rid of Airbnb – 1 only – disrupting the peaceful living of all other residents and driving up the water bill which is shared amongst all units – they advertise 8 people staying – the unit has 3 bedrooms. – Angel, QLD
Hi Angel, the Body Corporate and Community Management Act does not permit any by-laws to be made to restrict the type …
I have a query about water damage. Lets say something fails in a unit, such as a hot water system, dishwasher or an aquarium. There is damage in that unit, the unit below and common property. Who pays? Does the unit owner or resident pay via contents insurance or does strata through their insurance? – Tony, NSW
Hello Tony, responsibility will depend on the damage to the units and common property. Accidents happen from time to time, and …
My fence is rotten. It’s 20 years old I applied this time last year for a new one, the main man keeps coming up with excuses, yet when there is a meeting he claims travel expenses, he does have a property near me but lives in Sydney & that’s where he claims travel expenses from which I don’t agree with. In the 12 months that I have lived here all that’s been done is mulch for the gardens & a pest inspection. I would like some advice please. – Mary, QLD
Hello Mary, a body corporate must maintain the common property in a good and structurally sound condition and the owner of …
Are we required by law to have an annual fire safety inspection. – Lynne, NSW
Hi Lynne, this is dependant on a few factors such as type of building, age, location. The fire regulations have been …
Are you aware if the NSW Government has plans to enforce that older Strata buildings, such as the three storey walk up apartment buildings, to install fire safety equipment? Obviously this would be a big expense for many strata plans. – Margaret, NSW
Hi Margaret, your concern about the cost to install fire equipment at the strata plan is understandable. However, the cost of …
Is it true that balconies are common property and changes can only be made with the approval of the Executive Committee? If so can I change the colour of my balcony tiles or remove them and put down a different, tile free surface? – John, NSW
Hello John, the most likely answer is that the balcony space is the owners and the structure i.e. the perimeter wall …
Can you please advise who is responsible for fixing a wired smoke alarm that is not attached to the ceiling correctly? The strata is advising that this is the owners responsibility, but given that there is an annual fire inspection conducted by a fire services company, I would have thought that this would be their responsibility? – Nick, NSW
Hello Nick, if the smoke detectors are hardwired and connected to a fire board, they are the owners corporations responsibility to …
