The whole question of conflict of interest comes up this week – and it’s one that can be a little curly.
Now, in NSW, if a member of a strata committee has a financial interest in the outcome of a committee vote, they have to declare it and then leave the meeting, taking no further part in the discussion or the vote.
The actual effectiveness of this bit of strata law depends a lot on the acuity and strength of character of the committee chair and/or the strata manager.
Many in both camps seem to be unaware of this law, and even more (from what I hear) are reluctant to tell their neighbours to leave the room or to switch off their Zoom connection. Also, as ever, different states have different laws on this.
But, one Flatchatter asks, what about an ordinary owner who wants to change something in their apartment that requires approval but will make their property more valuable.
Surely they should be able to plead their case to the committee and vote in favour of their own proposal. But isn’t there a conflict of interest in an owner proposing and supporting something that benefits only them?
And then we come to the committee member who will probably be given the contract to do the renovations? Tricky … or not really? That’s HERE.
Elsewhere on the Forum
- Why does it cost so much to register a renovation by-law? That’s HERE.
- Can I keep my private stuff in a common property storage cage? That’s HERE.
- Emergency exit gate needs key to be opened from inside. That’s HERE.
- How hard is it to change unit entitlements? That’s HERE.
- My intercom stopped working – who pays for the new unit in my flat- me or oth owners corp? That’s HERE.
- Balcony doors are being replace in remedial works? Can I keep the higher quality doors I installed myself? That’s HERE.
- Can the strata committee give (or withhold) approval covered by a by-law or does it have to be the owners corp? That’s HERE.
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› Flat Chat Strata Forum › Current Page
Tagged: by laws, committee, conflict of interest, forum, Strata, vote
Is there a conflict of interest when you vote for something that only benefits you? Plus changing UEs, who pays for a broken intercom, and private property stored in a CP cage.
[See the full post at: Forum: Conflicting views on strata self-interest]
The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
› Flat Chat Strata Forum › Current Page
› Flat Chat Strata Forum › Current Page