Ah Melanie
The joys of a 2 lot strata scheme.
This is the strata version of “Married at First Sight”
They are a nightmare for strata managers and one wonders if they should even be allowed. Perhaps a prerequisite for anyone wanting to purchase into a 2 lot scheme is that they undergo couples counselling with the other party before they sign on the dotted line!
However, given that you have indeed signed up for cohabiting with your neighbour it is in your interest to find a way to make it work so that you and your neighbour can live together peacefully.
From what you have said it does appear that your neighbour would perhaps like to think of the pool as her own personal property rather than a shared facility.
Coming to a harmonious arrangement for pool usage for you both as soon as possible will potentially save much angst and drama into the future. And solutions are most likely found in psychology books rather than strata law.
Perhaps a way to view it is as an opportunity for you to get in ahead of the game and learn how to be your own mediator.
Mediation has a number of steps that you could think about
- Exploration – Listen & get to know the other party. Allow time for talking. Listen for what are underlying interests.
- Reframing – try to find a way to reframe any issues into Neutral, Mutual & Future Focussed language.
- Work on a mutually beneficial solution – come to an agreement
Not easy stuff, & no magic bullet but better to get in early and address any issues before they become entrenched.