We have had issues in the past year or two with our committee of 2 people making decisions regarding common areas to basically suit themselves, and organising council clean ups for their own benefit without consulting other owners. – Stuart, NSW

We live in a small townhouse community of 9 houses. We have had issues in the past year or two with our committee of 2 people making decisions regarding common areas to basically suit themselves, and organising council clean ups for their own benefit without consulting other owners (which I know they are allowed to do under the legislation). Myself and another owner have recently joined this committee however the Strata Manager still seems to carry out his work at the behest of one of the committee members in particular. I do feel that our community should be a democracy and everybody should get an equal say in the things that we do, like repairs or gardening etc which at the moment are done for the benefit of one owner. Anything you can suggest as the strata manger also visits our complex and gets gossip and conjecture from this one owner and then uses the info to send emails suggesting other owners have breached the by laws. When I have tackled the Strata Manager with the view that why doesn’t he just come and talk to resolve a minor issue or two he says “its my job to serve a breach notice and I have to document everything in writing for the books and records”. Any suggestions on our dilemma?

– Stuart, NSW

These concerns should be placed in writing to all Strata Committee members and the Strata Manager. You can request that all communication be transparent and a majority decision be sought before any works can be approved. This should limit one owner benefiting from works. Issuing a breach of by-law notice should be a committee decision to make and not only one person on the committee.