Aside from extending the range of people who owe a duty of care the D&BP Act has another key implication. Where someone has run out of time to make a claim under the Home Building Act it can provide another option to seek redress.

Question: Does my property management agent have any right to with-hold a full copy of a tenancy contract relating to my unit property?

Question: Why did my strata levies go up over the last two months by over $50 per quarter?

Does your body corporate receive income from public carparking, payments for the use of common property to convene functions/conferences and the like? If so, Taxation Ruling No. TR 2015/3 probably applies to such income.

Question: What is a unit title certificate? Answer: It’s otherwise known as a section 119 certificate and typically requested by vendors.

Question: There are 4 units in our strata. There is no strata company. Is this legal? Answer: At the time of registration of the strata plan, a strata company is always created.

Before you reduce sinking fund contributions, approach a respected quantity surveying firm with extensive sinking fund experience to prepare or update the sinking fund forecast.

This article discusses the stages of the assignment process, why the body corporate is involved and what rights they have, and whether they should get legal advice on the assignment.

Qu: Can the Body Corporate enter a lot pursuant to a by-law? Ans: The power of a body corporate to enter a lot is contained in s.163 of the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997

Question: Does Insurance cover any structure that is not compliant with the BCA or any damage from fire that emanates from that structure?

Question: One of the owners in our complex has installed a CCTV on common property without seeking our approval. Can they do this?

The decision in the case sets a precedent that, in effect, means that the use of Biowood cladding material in a building is a breach of the statutory warranties in the HBA on the basis that the material is combustible and creates an undue risk of fire spreading throughout the building.

Question: I have been a volunteer strata manager for 15 years. Is there any kind of remuneration I could propose for myself to the committee at our next AGM?

Question: Our Body Corporate signed, sealed and executed a new CMS Statement without consultation with Owners. Shouldn’t a new CMS be approved at a Special Meeting?

Strata Management is not recognised as an industry permitted to work. This means that, yes you can work if you can conduct your work from home. No, you cannot work if your role requires you to go into the office.

Question: Our strata was involved in a matter with the Lands and Environment Court. The Barrister’s fees were never approved at an EGM. Who is responsible?

As from 1 July 2020, new laws apply to disposal of goods abandoned on common property and association property of strata schemes and community associations.

Question: Do you have information on Marina insurance attached to strata lots? Answer: It depends on whether the marina is for personal or commercial use.

Question: Can strata demand to sight a lot owner’s lease? Our apartment by-laws state that only the name and duration of the tenancy is required.

Owners corporations and their advisers have a duty of care to ensure defective buildings are being dealt with appropriately and in a timely manner to help protect existing and future owners.