Re: 700% increase in Quarterly Levies – is this possible

Hi – just wanted to provide you with an update. 

Applications have been lodged with Dept of Fair Trading for mediation and NCAT, just waiting for the applications to be processed and for hearing dates.

NCAT require a copy of the Strata Roll with Strata Applications.  The strata manager would not give this to me without the Strata Committee’s approval.  Two people approved the strata manager providing the strata roll to me, plus being on the strata committee I also approved it, majority approval and after two weeks I still have not received the strata roll – I’ve given up asking for it.  One of the strata committee members did not approve it and as the email received from this member was unpleasant and hostile I submitted my application to NCAT without the strata roll and I’m wondering why this person was so against NCAT receiving the roll.

I’m still trying to find out what the levy increase is for, as the amounts don’t add up to what’s being raised.  Plus I’m also trying to find out how long it’s intended to be at this excessive rate for.  An email I received indicates there is no intention to reduce the levies and that they will rollover each year ahead of the AGM.  When I questioned this with the Strata Manager I was told a letter could go out each year to all owners delaying the levies until the AGM, which doesn’t sound right to me.  I spoke to Dept of Fair Trading about this, but they seemed to be just as confused as I was about the levy hike and said everyone would have to vote on it to delay levies ahead of AGMs, a letter wouldn’t do this. I asked the Strata Manager for a sample copy of the letter, my request was rather abruptly refused and I was told it would be drafted if and when it’s needed – I feel it’s needed now so that the owners corporation can have some guarantee the levy hike won’t continue into next year and beyond. 

All of this seems not to add up. I don’t feel the unit owners are aware the levies will remain at this excessive rate and rollover each year ahead of the AGM. I strongly feel the owners corporation have been mislead and misinformed at the AGM when the levies were determined. The levies are now due so the Strata Manager is collecting excessive amounts from all unit holders, yet still only vague works are being proposed.

Will keep you posted on how things go.