We have 5 units in total in our building and also have some water leakage issues from the top balcony. Could this owner have the roof extended to help keep water off the balcony? – Darren, QLD

Q: We have 5 units in total in our building and also have some water leakage issues from the top balcony.

Could this owner have the roof extended to help keep water off the balcony, enlarge the balcony encompassing a section of common property not utilised by any other units which would also help to eliminate any historical water leaks?

This work would also have the added benefit of providing structural support to the old deteriorated balcony structure.

 

A: In the first instance, we recommend that you speak with your body corporate manage and body corporate committee. Your body corporate manager may especially be helpful, as they should be able to tell you whether the works can go ahead or not.

Depending on the by-laws for your body corporate property, as well as council requirements, the balcony may or may not be allowed to change. These rules ensure your body corporate property maintains a uniform look across its exterior, to avoid an “odd one out” issue with the look of the body corporate property’s balconies. Again, this is why we recommend speaking with your body corporate manager and committee in the first instance. It may also be that the owner does not wish to have the roof extended over their balcony.

If the works are able to go through, it may be worth bringing up in the next meeting so that all owners can be across the proposal. Contact your body corporate committee’s secretary to let them know that you wish to raise a motion about this topic at the next meeting. Be sure to bring this up with the secretary at least two weeks prior to a meeting.

For more information on renovations in strata, don’t miss our article Renovations and common property rights.