[dwmyhome]

Thank you again. 

[dwmyhome]

@Lady Penelope said:
dwmyhome – Is your apartment on the top floor directly under the common property roof? 

The exhaust fans mounted within “Structural cubic space” e.g. communal ducting or a false ceiling which is designed to carry communal pipes etc or outside the lot are the Owner’s Corporation (OC) responsibility to maintain. 

The OC is responsible for damage to a unit after a water leak when the OC effected a repair. This should include your new paint work. It appears as though the second attempt at fixing the leak has not worked. 

The Owner is generally responsible for dampness in a lot coming from condensation from the inside of the unit. 

The condensation could be coming from various sources. Numbers 2 – 5 below are all owner responsibility: 

1. 1. A burst pipe or leak coming from outside the unit, such as from a unit above, or the roof. As noted above the OC is responsible for this condensation. 

1. 1. The temperature difference between the heated interior and cold exterior of a building in winter, which can form condensation on walls and windows. Are the tenants using an electric blanket in their bedroom? 

1. 1. Hot showers on cold mornings where further condensation can cause condensation throughout the whole apartment, particularly when an exhaust fan is inoperable and the bathroom door is left open.

1. 1. Windows being closed during the day while occupants are out, or not opened sufficiently wide to vent the apartment.

1. 1. Units that don’t receive much sun during the day.

Possible solutions to your condensation problems are:

1. 1. For the OC to find and repair the leaks AND

1. 1. For the OC to repair the common property fan.

1. 1. For the OC to trim trees that may be shading the building and preventing sunlight from falling on your apartment.

1. 1. For you to install dehumidifiers in your apartment which would remove humidity and condensation from a warm home during winter without having to open any windows. 

If I was you I would be immediately contacting the OC by email and/or letter. You could state that the time delay has been unreasonable and that you demand that the leak and the fan problems be rectified within 7 to 14 days. You could state that if this does not occur then you will be seeking Mediation through the Office of Fair Trading.

Mediation is free.   

This is great thank you. I do have  another question?  

If the ceiling has excess moisture readings, over and above the normal standards, which can be the cause if the additional moisture causing the mould, then is that the responsibility of the OC as well, because it’s a result of the issue??

 

thanks again the info you have provided is a great help. 

[dwmyhome]

Question.  Once the damage is fixed who’s responsibility is to paint the ceilings and internal walls to restore them to the original condition.

[dwmyhome]

I’m not worried about the water test, yes go a head with that. But I don’t have any voice as to what action is taken and how long it’s going to take to get sorted. 

the tenants have been told not to use their heater until it drys out, what is courious the bathroom and laundry are not effected these are the wets rooms in the unit – with no windows and an inactive ceil fan. The fans were reported years ago and it hasn’t.been addressed either.

My tenants are at work all day they leave the doors open 10 cm and two windows open in the kitchen. When the arrive home there is still condensation on the windows.  The walls are like ice blocks and the bedrooms roof is dripping water and there is brown water marks paint cracking and blistering. 

Im extremely frustrated my neighbour also has similar problems with the huge wall crack thrown into the mix. But she got it fixed and then it reoccurred.

no one is listening to us.

[Author]

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