Re: My neighbour installed his bathroom plumbing pipes in my property

UPDATE: The MA inspected the renovations on 2 days ago & took photos. She also asked the new owner to consider the issue of ‘encroachment’ as this is what has been done to another lot & she asked me to consider what I would be willing to put up with as a compromise.

We had our AGM today. The new owner handed over the signed document requesting permission for the renovation with plans for the bathroom but not for the new plumbing as apparently these do not exist as the new owner just left it up to the builder to do what he liked. The MA asked the new owner what they are willing to do to find a solution to this issue.  The new owner said he doesn’t really know.

The MA then said that he has encroached upon another lot & space has been lost as a result as well as the risk of leaking/flooding & he will have to contact his plumber to source a different position for the water pipes and possibly the water waste pipes & if it means they encroach upon his lot (instead of mine), then so be it & they will have to be moved.

My partner was in tears when she was explaining how terrible this experience was for us & that we don’t want to go through this again. Also that we have been through so much at this property in the past & we really wanted to have a good relationship with with the new owners.

The new owner & his wife apologised & said it was not their intention to cause any grief (you were right Jimmy) & that it seemed to be the fault of their builder whom must not know the restrictions of strata legislation. It appears the new owner intends to set things right.

Hopefully at least the 2 water pipes can be moved as I was thinking, even if we have the appropriate by-laws in place, if the water under pressure did leak and/or flood into my garage, and if there was another owner or if we had a falling out with the current owner, they could turn around & say, “yes we will have it fixed but we can’t really afford to do it now so just put towels down until we can” – or something ridiculous like that or even “so sue me” – assuming they were willing to put up with the disruption to their lot however, as they have 2 bathrooms now, I assume that if only 1 bathroom was affected, this could be possible. Then I am left with possible damage to my classic car, tools & other items of value as well as not being able to use my garage as I normally do for an extended period of time to go through the strata process (mediation, submissions, etc).

The resolution of this matter still remains to be seen.  If the pipes are moved, it will be interesting to deal with the same builder again – the interaction will be quite different this time as my partner wants to deal with it & she is not nearly as tactful or diplomatic as I am – mind you, she has had to put up with my distress through this whole drama.

There has been no mention of the new owners further renovations, for now anyway – thank goodness.