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A lot owner is doing extensive renovations including demolishing of walls and ceiling (non of which have been approved). My current concern is the fire alarm for that unit seems to be permanently disarmed, even when the workmen are gone. Are there regulations in this regard and would this impact on our insurance should there be a fire? The building is in NSW and is a monitored fire system.
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You could just notify the insurer that unapproved alterations are taking place and you are concerned about the state of the fire-alarm. You could ask them to inform you (as an owner, even if you are not on the committee) whether this has an effect on your insurance cover. Copy in the managing agent and committee, then stand back. 😉
@Imogen Bannister said:
A lot owner is doing extensive renovations including demolishing of walls and ceiling (non of which have been approved).So the strata committee is allowing an owner to destroy common property without any controls? You do realise that when this strata vandal sells the property the maintenance of all these changes falls back on the other owners?
I’d be seeking an interim order right now to have the work stopped until the proper approvals have been sought and granted. A call to your local council planning department might be worthwhile too.
Oh, and please don’t tell me she’s removed the ceiling so she can use the roof space!
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My apologies. I’d forgotten that there are people who will go ahead and do what they want, regardless of laws, by-laws and any concern for their neighbours.
Can I ask, have council been involved? Surely this would require planning permission – most councils demand it when rooms are being reconfigured.
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Make sure everything is in writing and refer in writing now to anything that was not put in writing earlier. Perhaps getting the insurer involved is still a good idea. Be utterly open with them. Tell them about the stop work orders etc to demonstrate that the OC has tried to do everything by the book. Write to the owners generally with the insurer’s advice. They should know that they have a neighbour who is jeopardising their interests and that the executive is doing all it can to protect their interests.