Feuding neighbours can do a lot of damage to buildings – in more ways than one – and ironically, innocent parties can be left holding the bill.
QUESTION: We bought into adjoining properties where the previous owners were feuding. Now we’ve discovered about 10 square metres of the adjoining wall on our neighbour’s side is missing weather boards, exposing the lathe, plaster and wiring to the elements.
She had no idea about the missing boards and has talked about getting them fixed but now she’s hinted at us sharing the costs. Are there any laws about who would be responsible for this repair?
We don’t want to be footing the bill when her internal walls start to rot so it needs to be fixed. How do I find out who pays the bill? – Exposed, Sydney.
ANSWER: Assuming these are strata properties, the plan attached to your contract of purchase should tell you what’s common property and what is owned individually. If it turns out to be common property the owners corporation has to pay to fix it. If there are only two lots, you’re going to get stuck with half the bill and there’s no way of avoiding it unless your neighbour feels very generous or you can prove that she deliberately caused the damage.
It’s not fair but that’s how it goes. My best advice is to suck it up and at least you might avoid being part of another feud.
Talking about feuds, there’s nothing like wooden floors to get neighbours reaching for their lawyers. The Owners Corporation Network – the organisation for smart apartment owners – are following up their recent seminars on hard floor installation with another session on October 16.
Speakers will include an acoustic engineer, a builder, a strata lawyer and a company experienced in apartment renovations to explain how you can have your hard floor without starting World War 3 with your neighbours.
The seminar at 9.00am at the Kirribilli Club, Harbourview Crescent, Lavender Bay, costs $35.00 for OCN members, with non-members $45.00. Places are limited so go to www.ocn.org.au for details on how to book.
Comment below or go to the Flat Chat Forum to ask a question.