I’m not usually a conspiracy theorist, but it is possible that a building report or even the pre-purchase and pre-settlement inspection/s that the new owners must have themselves undertaken could (and possibly did) identify the modifications to the balcony railing?
Is is also possible that the new owners weren’t concerned about those modifications because they knew that the cost of remedial works to correct them would be picked-up by the Owners Corporation?
Whilst vortigern hasn’t said which party raised the issue of the remedial works post the sale of the affected unit, it would in my opinion be worthwhile for the Executive Committee and/or the Strata Manager to write to the new owners and ask when and how they first became aware.
How does the Owners Corporation (O/C) know that there wasn’t some financial adjustment between the parties at settlement?
Whilst I agree that at the end of the day the O/C is responsible, it’s worth it asking some pertinent questions before agreeing to pay for the remedial works involved.