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Thanks for that Simone. It may seem a simple answer but believe you me, many people in this strata believe that absolutely everything should be paid for/maintained by the OC. We have had every request -a dripping tap, toilet not flushing, ants in kitchen just to name a few. All wanted the OC to attend to and pay for.
It may stem from the fact that many move from an apartment where many things such as fuse boxes are on common property to a villa/townhouse where the same items are now within the lot. They believe it was OC then it is OC now.
I am in a complex of townhouses that also have individual fuse boxes inside each unit with meters outside on common property.
This situation has not arisen here. I would have thought it was an individual owners responsibility as this fuse box is only for each individual unit. Much like owners here are responsible for the plumbing that is only for their individual units, but OC responsible for mains leading into units.
That is how I would have looked at this issue. If we had to maintain everyone's one personal fuse boxes we would have to put up our levies to cover repair/maintenance/replacement. So owners would have to pay for it one way or another.
Should a fuse box be affected by a problem with the mains power feeding into the unit, then I would have thought it was an OC problem. But as I said, haven't had it happen here yet. Be interesting to see others input on this matter.
We had hoped that residents here would participate in minor clean ups around our complex. But alas, it was only the members of the EC who would give up their time to do a bit of work here and there. The reward – nothing! Residents here would not even give you a “good morning” let alone a thanks or helping hand as you worked for free, saving them money and giving them low levies in return. So we now hire people to do absolutely everything! Result – higher levies!
So if your levies are high enough and there is enough money in the bank, get someone else to do it! If the working bee goes ahead, hide! Let the other 5 people who show up do all the work. Then let them get someone else in to finish it.
Though perhaps I will be proved wrong and a lot of people will actually volunteer because they care, have pride in where they live and how their homes look.
Did you know you were moving into a place with only 2 car parks? And did you know that you had 3 cars?
You are paying for a place with only 2 car parks. If it had 3 car parks, you would have to pay more (and that applies to whether you rent or buy).
We have someone here who has moved into a place with only one garage, but he has 3 cars (4 at one stage). He seems to believe that having more cars than garages means he has a right to use the visitors car spots for free. What a bargain! Paying for one car spot and yet getting another couple for free!
Whilst an OC can't fine a resident for abusing visitors car parks, I would be happy if residents paid for the extra parking they are using. This could boost the coffers a bit and that is never a bad thing.
As for me, I would only the garages that I have paid for and park in the street (which for us has ample parking) and walk the 20 metres inside!
What a joke. If the OC isn't obligated to enforce by-laws then why have them? Lets let everyone run amok and do their own thing!
Isn't changing common property without permission a by-law? So when I was on the EC and we pursued residents who changed/damaged common property that may have resulted in damage to persons or property I was under no obligation to spend a huge amount of my own time doing so? But the EC would have been liable should said damage occurred and the OC was up for the repair bills from the damage caused because we were not obligated to chase up this breach?
No wonder I can't give up drinking.
I've said this before and I will say it again. Why are people who break/breach strata by-laws allowed to be on the committee? We have had people who have voted themselves onto the EC and then go on to break every by-law and basically do their own thing. But they send out letters to other residents telling them that they must abide by the same by-laws that they themselves regularly break. If you have a notice to comply sent to you, you should not be allowed to be on the EC.
That's a bit rough. Even if it is a by-law you can't destroy someone elses property! You just can't! And if this washing is hanging on common property clothes line (ie hanging in the right place) whats the harm? Who's going to see it in the middle of the night?
It's not like most people want to leave their clothes out overnight. Circumstances may arise that cause a delay in bringing washing in. Perhaps serial offenders can be reminded (and their clothes remain untouched), but really, if someone leaves their washing out once in a blue moon………But throwing out the “offenders” clothes just isn't on.
What do they do in enforcing the visitors parking spot by-laws in that complex? “Park your car here again and we will move it to the street and torch it”? Wow, and residents here think our EC is too tough!
Our complex has set limits for spending money by the EC. It allows the EC to do most works without having to get permission. But larger projects need to be brought before the owners for their consideration.
Has worked in that the smaller projects get attended to immediately. However, the larger projects linger on and on as owners object to spending the money.
If we had no limit, this place would be in better nick than it is. But having no limit could prove a dangerous thing. Limits are necessary.
Yes, the satellite dish on each balcony is definitely not a good look. Especially when they are the size of the balcony. And personally, would not want to live in something that looked like that! A satellite dish on each balcony may be a cheaper option, but it also does cheapen the complex's visual appeal!
Getting Foxtel installed would be good for resale value of the unit.
This is a good example of people, especially pensioners, not being able to afford special levies. In this case, it is not an essential repair, but what about next time, when there is a need to put in $1,000 for work that cannot be avoided.
Perhaps craigmc can find out if his grandmother can pay in installments? I know when we had a special levy for essential works, we spread it out over a few quarters to lessen the load on all owners. So the OC essentially paid for the works and had the owners pay us back.
I understand how difficult it is for those working to afford unexpected extras, let alone those who are not. But one cannot live in strata and not have to put in some extra sometime!
Yes you would need permission and that may include a by-law. And this would mean you were responsible for the ongoing maintenance of this area. If this system wasn’t in place, people would be knocking holes in walls and complaining to EC to fix the collapsing roof.
One of the reasons people live in strata is the knowledge that the exterior is taken care of by the OC. Yes, it’s a pain we can’t do what we want. But then again the outside (and structure of a building) is usually the most expensive when it comes to maintenance.
We can’t ask for what we want and then expect others to pay for the upkeep. I don’t mind if someone wants a change, but let that be on their head – and from their wallet.
Was that for the Foxtel cabling to be laid to the unit block?
When our townhouse complex was built it did not have the cabling needed for foxtel. We had a number of enquiries from residents and got quotes that came in at about the $10,000 mark. As most residents were not interested, we decided against this.
We gave owners permission to install satellite dishes on their roof instead. Then those who wanted it organised it and paid for the installation, which was much cheaper than getting the cabling in place. This is OK for a townhouse complex with each unit having their own roof and installation can be done without dishes being too obvious (we do state that dishes must be the standard sized Foxtel dishes, not those the size of NASA dishes).
In a unit complex you would probably have to have a dish on each balcony.
Our SM has made numerous claims over the years that they never told us they were making. This happened when one particular person was handling this complex. Anything and everything was put through as an insurance claim, and at times for repairs we didn't even know were being done. Wouldn't you look at the amount of the repair, look at your excess and the EC make that decision. You do if you are a home owner on your own insurance. Doesn't making alot of claims on your insurance increase your premium? And as jks79 experienced it can then make it difficult to get coverage from another insurer if you are continuously making claims.
Thanks Billen Ben. Interesting as our SM has told us for 10 years now that it is OK to not have these “official” positions! But the problem of assigning positions is solved now due to the fact that only one person is on the committee! The rest of us have given up doing anything for people who do nothing and expect everything.
I would rather spend my ample free time doing volunteer work for others rather than volunteering to get things done around here.
Has there been any new residents moved in near you around this time?