[oystercove]

If I am reading your note correctly it also sounds like this person is “repairing” or fixing  common property and then submitting a bill for reimbursement.  If this is the case and the work has not been pre- authorised by the Committee or Strata Manager then the Owners Corp  is not obliged to reimburse.  We had a couple of owners try that at our property a few years ago – engaged handymen for repairs they wanted  to common property then sent the bills for $800 and $400 respectively  to the EC.  We rejected both invoices so they were out of pocket. Interestingly one shoddy repair by the handyman did not stand the test of time and the OC had to fix it about 2 years later. Lucky we did not reimburse that owner as we would have paid twice.

The owners involved have never carried out any more repair work themselves! Perhaps you should try that approach.

Sorry if I have misinterpreted the issue

[oystercove]

Jimmy T  thanks so much for the comments and quick response ( and especially for helping  the EC realise we are not mad  but the protagonists probably are!)  The community service you give through this web site is excellent 

[oystercove]

Thank you Jimmy  You always give good advice and you have got us thinking!

[oystercove]

Thank you Peter C

 You are correct it is a minor issue.  I think the committee  are all just feed up with these irritants behaving badly for 3 years 

[oystercove]

To all who replied to my query, thank you.  All the responses have been helpful

sorry for any confusion i caused by posting to the wrong section – technology or navigating websites is definitely not a strength.

I will take up all of the suggestions

[oystercove]

For what it’s worth when our Strata insurance renewal was due recently the broker our Strata Manager uses to facilitate all this renewal work was recommending our Office Bearers insurance be increased from $5m to $10m. – the reasoning was that many strata owners are getting more litigious .  

We are not a large block (25) but we do have a pool and we are starting to get quite a few maintenance issues as the property ages.  In NSW

Maybe the broker was just trying to get more commission for themselves and the strata manager !!

[oystercove]

Thank you Whale.  That is very helpful 

[oystercove]

Why bother getting OC approval for some changes to common property?

Whale raises a very good point regarding  the strange interpretation of common property alterations made by owners. I have also heard similar comments from my strata manager and also a Strata lawyer.

So now some people in our property know that if they seek permission to alter common property they may or may not get it approved and it will probably be “with conditions”.  On the other hand they have heard from the so called legal experts that if the work is done without permission then the Owners Corp will still likely be responsible for the changes.

So why would any half smart owner ever bother to get permission, particularly if they think it might not be approved??

Have I been hearing incorrect interpretations or does this just highlight  the non-commercial and sometime ridiculous interpretation of strata laws that tribunals, courts & lawyers make??

Thanks for any input that might be offered               

 

[oystercove]

Commissions to managing agents are, unfortunately, something we probably have to live with but to say they are currently transparent is a bit of a stretch as you really have to go looking and be a bit astute to annually check this and work out the actual dollar amount.
If it is good enough for Financial planners & the like to have to be more transparent with their fees then the Strata Management industry should also have to do the same as there is wide variation in some of the premiums and some strata managers will no doubt be inclined to go for the insurer who gives them the most.

I would accept commissions if the following was required:
a). limited to 10% with the balance coming back to owners or the insurer lowering premiums
b) the total commission paid must be more clearly shown. eg in the annual accounts presented at the AGM . Not the case at present!

From my experience with various strata managers over 25 years the industry is, at best, low quality “paper processors” and at worst, hopeless. When you get the rare good employee they end up leaving through frustration because those around them are so useless

[oystercove]

Whale said:

Your Strata Manager may be of the opinion that IF the balconies form part of the Lot/s and are not Common Property, then the responsibility for the maintenance and repair of the grouting and tiles is the Proprietors' responsibility.

In the absence of any Special By-Laws that your Plan may have to the contrary, the maintenance and repair of the original floor tiles is the responsibility of the Owners Corporation; just like those on other floors within the Lot.

thank you Whale – oystercove

[Author]

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