- This topic has 2 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 5 months, 3 weeks ago by .
-
Topic
-
Hello fellow Flat chatters,
In our strata block we have had a long standing issue with one ground floor unit complaining of mould in their unit.
We have had it investigated to check for water leaks etc to rule out various causes.
The building’s ground floor level sits on foundations on an exposed clay soil and as such we are aware ground floor units will need- to a degree- control measures to keep mould at bay- especially in the winter months.
Measures by the unit holder( cross flow ventilation within) and measures by the O.C. to mitigate it as much as possible.
We have had the unit cleaned and also the walls sprayed with a protective film to stop possible mould from developing in deference to the owner. The protective spray usually lasts a year or more
The owner has come back again and complained of mould. It is not visible to the naked eye, but the owner has produced a medical report to show mould levels above the normal range within their system.
The issue for the OC is the owner has pre-existing medical conditions from birth including their immune system. That their ability to excrete everyday mould from their system as we all naturally do is compromised.
Whilst the O.C will mitigate as much as possible the conditions for mould, it cannot be expected to pay for elaborate and expensive measures if the owner has a compromised system to begin with. Their has to be a shared liability in the matter and the OC not pay for everything.
It is like a person with a wheelchair moves into a second story flat with stairs only and then demands the OC to install a lift.
I also note the owner rents their spare room out on AirBnB year round.
It seems a very grey area in this circumstance where adjoining units do not have an issue.
Where does the liability lie.
-
Replies
-
Other units not having an issue doesn’t lessen the problem. If the OC doesn’t feel that they should do anything then it is left up to the owner to obtain the evidence and ways of rectifying, and take that to the tribunal, and they can then decide whether it is an OC problem, which is likely because the water is coming through the common property.
Mould in apartments can be caused by structural issues (OC responsibility) and housekeeping issues (resident responsibility). As secretary of our strata committee, I regularly receive complaints about mould. Most of the complainants assume – and are hopeful – that the problem is an OC responsibility. On inspection, we find that it is mostly an issue to do with housekeeping – not ventilating by opening windows and doors whenever possible, not wiping down condensation on windows and from clothes dryers, etc.These are resident responsibilities.
I am about to put out a flyer with tips about keeping an apartment mould free, based on advice from the ACT Government available online.