We have 6 on our strata committee and we are at a stalemate in terms of spending money. Three of us want to spend money immediately on repairs and maintenance items and the other 3 want to wait until our Capital works fund is more flush with funds. So how do you move forward with a win/win for everyone? – Louise, NSW

Q: We have 6 on our strata committee and we are at a stalemate in terms of spending money. Three of us want to spend money immediately on repairs and maintenance items and the other 3 want to wait until our Capital works fund is more flush with funds ( so save first maybe for 6-12 months prior to spending).

So how do you move forward with a win/win for everyone? We seem to have thrown our 15-year plan out the window. As an aside, we have just finished raising special levies across 6 years to pay for fire audits etc.

 

A: We recommend that the committee continue to have discussions around what they think is the best course of action, and reach a compromise between the two options.

Sometimes there may not be a situation where everyone wins, so it is important to focus on what’s best for the strata property and its residents. Focus on short term and long term needs, as this will help you reach a decision as a committee.

Another option is to put the matter to a general meeting of all owners.

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