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My friend is on a committee. They have a quote for refurbing bathroom ventilation fans in the ceilings of our multi building residential strata. The old lady who rules the roost told the experts what we need, and they quoted based on that, at a seemingly excessive price. My friend wants to get up in the ceiling voids to scope out the works to understand the job and see what exactly is being asked for and quoted. Apparently he was told the committee barred my friend from doing so. They may say it’s a safety issue but we think it’s just to prevent awkward questions being asked on a questionable committee decision. I thought owners had access to all common areas of a site, including the roof as need be, when having a reasonable reason to access them, with or without committee permission?
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I thought owners had access to all common areas of a site, including the roof as need be, when having a reasonable reason to access them, with or without committee permission?
Not really. For instance, your scheme might not want all owners to have access to your electrical power board or communications room, at their own behest. However, there should be a good reason for refusing a reasonable request for access. Ask the committee again and request a reason for refusal in writing (should it be refused).
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Could your friend arrange his/her own quote of just one bathroom ventilation fan (his or her own) and see how that compares with the quote that has been provided for all of the vents?
There may be fire safety requirements that mean this is not simple. Or it could be the usual story of everything costing more in strata because strata is seen as a honey pot. Some lot owners in my building recently had recessed lighting installed without approval. When the Committee found out, it asked for a Fire Safety inspection to ensure the ceiling penetrations were done in the proper way. The recessed lights had been installed by a licensed electrician, but they didn’t meet some fire safety standard or other. So they all had to be removed and the holes sealed up and re-inspected. Big cost to the lot owners.