As someone who lives in a unit complex that's almost 35 years old, I can sympathise with sarahs's costs comment.
However, I do feel that the real problem is a failure to plan properly for future maintenance by keeping strata fees too low for years. Our complex suffers from the same syndrome and now – after a minor revolution to force people to face their responsibilities – owners are faced with the likelihood of a special levy or taking on a strata loan to fix years of neglect.
Despite all this, the owners' corporation accepted our responsibility for looking after various doors, and has paid for replacements where necessary.
The sinking fund is there for a reason… I've been quite surprised at the disdain some OCs and strata managers of older complexes seem to have for the 10-year Sinking Fund Plan – If done properly, it can be a very useful document and help prevent the sort of funding crisis that makes OCs consider getting rid of their responsibilities. Changing by-laws to make individual owners responsible for such maintenance won't necessarily ensure the work is actually done, but could perhaps open up a different sort of dispute within your complex.
sarahs said:
There's no real problem currently, except that our complex is now around 45 years old, and some of the front doors require replacement at a cost of around $1200 each. This could result in a major cost, and additionally there are 2 sets of glass sliding doors which are starting to require repairs. With 26 townhouses in the block, there is a strong likliehood of a large outlay coming up at some point.
The transfer of responsibility was suggested as a way to reduce costs (and of course rising levies).