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[KennyC]

I own a unit in a block of 18 in Southwest Sydney. Recently, one of the units has been put up for sale and I had a look at it on the inspection day. It was there that I noticed the owners of the unit  had made some plumbing alterations that do not appear to be legal & that could possibly expose the BC/OC to liability if not corrected. The plumbing in the unit has been modified & a washing machine was installed on the balcony at the front of the building. We believe that the owners made a modification to the internal plumbing to supply water to connect the washing machine onto the balcony as well as to connect the waste. The real laundry on the ground floor had been converted into a “study” (we found out afterwards it had been used as a bedroom for a while prior to intervention by the local council who know about this). 

Given the circumstances (and the fact that the real estate agent selling this property if fully aware of this but turns a blind eye when asked about it), is the BC/OC liable for any damage done from this illegal alteration (i.e. flooding etc). Also, if this unit sells, is the BC/OC liable to restore the unit back to it’s original state if the new owners discover that the alterations are illegal.

Just a note (obvious I know), that none of this was put forward or approved by the BC prior to the current owner doing these alterations.

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