Thank you Whale. My advice from Fair Trading and from Land and Property Office was similar but that the Lot Owner has to make a case proving that there is a leak, with the appropriate proof.
Technically, the Act makes no reference to reimbursement of any renovations and as such I’m advised now that a body corporate can refuse reimbursement.
That it can be mediated in Fair Trading and can be taken Legal if an Owner decides to go down that path.
We have a situation where the Lot Owner wanting to claim a reimbursement, denied same to previous owners who renovated bathrooms and kitchens in the past when that lot Owner was in fact on the Committee. It has been said by some that the Lot Owner might be trying to take an advantage with new Owners that he denied to Other Owners who have since sold and moved on.
Not a good situation to find us in as we are aware of another new Owner who has renovated and who will now attempt to claim back.Either way it causes ructions in the complex to have people feel discriminated against. 