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Some members wish to decorate the main entrance ( entry from street to lift).
What are our rights and obligations?
There are some funny games being played here with the choice of artist to be commissioned, size of painting and cost.
Some fake news going around.
Can we say “decorate to your hearts content and you foot the bill”?
My view is that it is a waste of money to impress their visitors.
Reiterating:-
Is our input or any member’s input compulsory as it is only decoration not essential repairs and maintenance?
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My reading of various parts of the Act is that, if it would be a radical change to the appearance of the common property, it would require a special resolution (75 per cent in favour) at a general meeting under section 108 (below)
If it’s just a bit of a spruce-up and the addition of a painting or two it could be passed by the committee.
108 Changes to common property(1) Procedure for authorising changes to common property
An owners corporation or an owner of a lot in a strata scheme may add to the common property, alter the common property or erect a new structure on common property for the purpose of improving or enhancing the common property.
(2) Any such action may be taken by the owners corporation or owner only if a special resolution has first been passed by the owners corporation that specifically authorises the taking of the particular action proposed.
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I agree with JT.
I personally believe that the foyer of the building shouldn’t be allowed to become tired and rundown. First impressions count …. even for the existing occupants of the building.
An occupant should feel proud of their building from the first moment they step into the building. Owners who feel pride in their surroundings are more likely to take care of it and treat it with respect.
That being said a “sensible” budget (but not necessarily a “frugal” budget) that reflects: the style of the building; its setting; and its clientele needs to be established at the outset.
trexkraken indicates some of the owners want to commission a painting for the entrance. That is a very different matter to mainintenance and things like carpet and painting.
To me the threshold question is, is that a justifiable use of owners’ funds?
Art is such a subjective thing so it makes sense that what that art is likely to look like is approved by members via the committee. Picasso? yes. Marilyn Manson? probably not. The artist should be able to present former work or a pencil rough/draft on what is proposed to give you some heads-up on what the outcome is likely to look like. You’d also want to know the budget and know how long the works may last if it’s exposed to the elements.
Certain owners in our Strata in NSW wanted to ‘artify’ the hallways on all levels of our buildings using ‘photo prints on canvas’. These can be reasonably economical, but when one owner is pushing a specific photographer, getting final agreement on the chosen prints was a nightmare. The upside is we could all see what was planned to be purchased, and the cost. Commissioning a works sounds fraught with disappointment for some unless an outline drawing is prepared and agreed. Good luck with your beautification of the foyer.