The occupants of the apartment immediately below mine sometimes smoke in their balcony and the smoke gets into my apartment. I like to keep my balcony door open for fresh air. How can I get them to stop? – Johannes, NSW
If they’re smoking on their own balcony or within the premises of their own property, there’s not much the strata committee …
How can body corporates stop Airbnb or short term rentals in Queensland? Glen, QLD
In Queensland, body corporates cannot stop or restrict short-term rentals. While the body corporate oversees and maintains the common property and …
I live in a community development. The community association want to install better pool security. This includes access fobs for which they want to charge a fee in addition to community levies. Those without a fob will not be able to access the facility. Can they do this? – Chris, NSW
Yes, the community association can install pool security, and every property would need to get a fob for access to the …
My flat suffered damage to ceilings and walls due to a leak in the communal roof above. My strata managers are insisting that any repairs made inside my flat whilst caused by the faulty roof are my financial responsibility. how do I proceed with getting the strata to accept responsibility for my repairs? – Gary, NSW
You can share your insurance details with your strata manager. They should be able to take up the concern with the …
Can a body corporate not permit a restaurant owner/renter from putting energy-saving solar panels on the roof to cut down electricity bills? – Judith, QLD
Body corporates may have the power to place restrictions on alterations made to the exterior of a building such as the …
Can the parking by-laws of common property not be amended without all owners voting? And does the majority vote take precedence? Would the motion be an ordinary resolution vote or a resolution without dissent? – Kelly, NSW
Some owners in our strata complex want to make changes to the common area by-laws in relation to visitors parking. The …
How do I get a certificate of non-coverage from body corporate? I needed to replace my carpet after the hot water heater burst and the insurance has requested this. – Rob, NSW
You can ask your strata manager to connect directly with their insurance provider, and they should be able to help you …
My unit has a leaking cold water pipe under the slab inside the unit. Who is responsible for the repairs? – Kevin, QLD
You need to reach out to your body corporate manager and familiarise yourself with the boundaries of properties. Find out if …
Whom do I need to notify if I want to commence short-term leases on my 2 bedroom apartment? – Janita, NSW
You are free to do so if you own the property, as long as you’re following your property by-laws and planning regulations …
Security patrols around my building have been recently lowered. Due to this I have been thinking of installing a home security system (alarm only not CCTV). Does this need to be approved by the committee? – Matt, QLD
The alarm is likely to be placed on an external wall that is common property. So, to be able to make …
How much is the strata fees per apartment in a large complex with gardens and pool facilities? I just need an approximate value. The complex has 300 units in 9 Apartment blocks. – Nelly, NSW
In addition to the available facilities, number and dimensions of properties, there are a number of factors that could affect the …
I own my villa which is under the strata scheme. My question is can I use my home for Airbnb while I’m living in it? – Trevor, NSW
Yes, you can use your villa for short-term letting purposes. However, since your villa is under a strata scheme, you need …
Does a Body Corporate Community have to pay tax? – Dianne, QLD
Body corporates are treated as public companies under the tax law, and must lodge a tax return for any year in …
I would like to paint my back wooden fence. Do I need to make application or notify the body corp? – David, QLD
If the fence is part of the common property, you can make an improvement or change if approved by the committee …
I am thinking of buying into a unit block. How do I find out about their strata, if they are having problems, or if the scheme has any planned future works that I will have to contribute to? – Judy, NSW
You can pre-arrange it with the strata management company to conduct an inspection. You need to pay the inspection fee as …
