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Topic
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I own an apartment in NSW. I contacted the strata manager because my apartment does not have a letterbox. She emailed some mysterious person (they won’t give me their name) on the strata committee who declared that there were not sufficient slots available, but if I needed one, then I was responsible for supplying my own at my own cost, but it had to be the same as the ones that were already there and it had to be on it’s own post which I am also responsible for installing at my own cost At the moment some lots have letterboxes and some don’t.
Unfortunately, I can’t match the letterboxes exactly, so I am wondering what my options are. I could probably get one made that is similar but I think that would be very expensive and that seems very unfair. I would have thought that all residences should have a letterbox and that the strata would be responsible for supplying it.
Any advice would be welcome.
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Are you in an apartment or a townhouse?
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There is nothing in the act specifically about letter boxes.
I did a search in Auspost and they say that they will only deliver to appropriate letter boxes. They go on the discuss both size and location.
I would consider that the supply of the letter box is the responsibility of the OC just as provision of water (through common property pipes) and electricity through common property wires. Letter boxes would have had to be installed in the initial build unless there is a bylaw saying you have to use a PO mailbox.
It is implied in the act that the OC has to provide some basic services.
On that basis I would approach the OC to supply not only yourself but all owners with a mailbox. Use Google to find the appropriate directives from Auspost in support.Failing that you may have to go to NCAT for adjudication and directions.
Any idea how it came to be that there aren’t enough letterboxes to go around?
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I would apply for mediation at Fair Trading with a view to taking action under section 232 (2) failure to fulfill their duties and responsibilities.
Or you could contact out new besties MLC for free legal advice.
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So where would your mail go if you did get a letter?
Send yourself a letter mocked up to appear legal and authoritative, maybe with markings about the urgency and/or impending court action. See what happens and then when (if) you receive it you may be able to find out who has handled it in the building.
Then approach the strata manager and tell them of the great inconvenience you’ve suffered because you don’t have a letter box. Even if it gets to you quickly your privacy has been violated. Just give them hell.
Oh, and if the strata management company has a letter box may approach it as them taking over facilities that actually belong to residents.
I’m sure we all look forward to hearing how this proceeds.
All unit owners are entitled to equitable ‘use and enjoyment’ of the common property. If some owners have been provided with the use of letterboxes on the common property but not others, this inequitable. I would argue that all owners should be provided with a letterbox to match those that have been made available for exclusive use by just some of the owners.