Reply To: Strata records – said to have gone missing

A key reason why records are “unavailable” is that there are no penalties imposed on SC members for:

1. Not storing documents securely; or for

2. “Misplacing” or “losing” documents over time when the SSM Act requires (at least) 7 years of paperwork be kept. Surely the onus is on the SC as they prepare agendas, host meetings and prepare minutes with or without the aid of a strata manager (who in my experience always say they are mere “agents” of the SC/OC and deny liability). It is reasonable to assume even if SC members past or present do not have hard copies of documents – a long bow I agree – surely they have electronic copies which they should be compelled to share.

I recall one scheme I was involved with that required me to go to NCAT in order to be allowed to inspect the books at the strata manager’s office.

When I got to the office I was given the books and was appalled that many pages were ripped out of the Minute book. Naturally when I confronted the agent and the SC, each pointed the finger at the other.

If memory serves me well, I even photographed the partially denuded minute book.

As to digital records – the problem with that is that a cunning committee member or members will not hold properly constituted meetings for as long as he, she or they can. That means that decisions of the SC and possibly OC will be informal and w/out an agenda or minutes and hence w/out a record.