Over a year ago I heard from some apparently reliable source that it was now either a legal requirement or common practice that there was a section in the standard contract for Strata units that the seller must indicate whether any unapproved alterations to the common property had been made. The implications being that the new owner could be liable but could also have scope for legal action against the seller if they had not advised accurately. I would greatly appreciate finding out whether this is accurate, a myth or on a list of likely approved changes to the Act.
If unapproved alterations have been made isn’t this the same as vandalism – for insurance purposes – and if so insurance companies are far more likely to undertake litigation against previous owners – although couldn’t they claim it was already altered when they bought it? This would be where non legal approvals e.g. by EC’s at least leaves strong evidence of the perpetrator and date.