Reply To: Forced to fix balcony balustrade even though it is compliant

I think something was lost in translation.  We have no problem in contributing to the cost of repairing our balcony and others (even though as I said we are less than 1m off the ground and therefore do not need to reinforce our balustrade).  We have owned in strata for over 40 years and understand and accept that whatever works need to be done on common property that ALL owners need to contribute.  This is not our first round of concrete cancer.

I do not believe in strata finance as my career has been spent in finance so I’d prefer that the onus is on each owner even if they have to mortgage their own unit.  Strata finance means that all owners are joint and severally liable for all owners ie if one owner can’t pay then all owners are on the hook.  I also feel that anyone thinking of buying in will be turned off by any debt.

The question I was seeking to answer was my understanding is if the owners corporation/executive committee feel the need to seek legal advice that if that advice is over $3k then it needs to be referred to all owners via a meeting.  Our executive committee have now spent over $5k without referring to the owners corporation.  The strata manager which is not Net Strata says because each invoice is below $3k they don’t need to convene a meeting of all owners.  My belief is that is a bit cute given we have to contribute to the legal advice against us.

We have a strata lawyer (one of the best known) and they have told us to send letters from us and not from the lawyer to avoid inflaming the situation which we have done.  I thought I’d ask the forum about legal costs to avoid paying $650 per hour.

My father who is terminally ill is why the works the OC are suggesting eventhough not necessary will be difficult for us.