DaveB said:
Peter C is most likely from the ACT, where the legislation allows for Class B units. Unlike in NSW the Class B units structures themselves are, in theory at least, maintained by the owners, so the levies would be much less. Having lived in that situation in a group of 50, as the units aged it was very hard to get some recalcitrant owners to spend money on their properties, so some of the units presented a rather shabby appearance alongside their neighbours. It was possible to repair such properties at the expense of the owners corporation, and then enforce recovery, but why should other owners have to do this from their scarce communal funds? As the current owner of two units (townhouse and villa) in NSW I am much happier with the legislation here which allows an even standard to be applied thru the complex, and for economies of scale to be achieved when doing such things as a general repaint. On present value of property my levies would represent about 0.5% per annum.
Yes. I am from the ACT. I didn't realise NSW did not have the class A/B distinction we have. Here unit owners are responsible to maintain their class B units and the OC only maintains the common property although the OC insures the entire property. Unit owners generally only take out contents insurance.
Just as you suggest as perennial issue is that some units are poorly maintained compared to neighbours. Some of ours are a bit shabby and could do with some tidying up of weeds and cobwebs and a coat of paint. However, a worse issue to my particular aesthetic sensibilities is that some units owners repaint in not quite the standard colour or think that something quite different would be an improvement and then will not budge. We have an interesting and integrated architectural style that is not enhanced by having individual units draw the eye more than the overall shapes of groups of units.