Community living requires a fairness test. Seems fairer that people who live in the building pay for the use and wear and tear of common property, spread over time. Loans and special levies are in the mix for raising funds, but don’t they kick the can further down the road? New owners buy and then are faced with unanticipated special levies or loans, while the people who sold their unit after thirty years of low levies, selling their apartment at a premium, and then move on to the next under funded strata plan in a hope to dodge the responsibility of a little lifting over a long period. Over 85 % of strata plans in Australia are currently under funded, hence s75A of the SSM Act. I prefer David Bannerman’s interpretation of this section of the act. Striking levies must be done taking into account the Sinking Fund Plan, in good faith. This section was added to the act, because all of the buildings constructed in the 60s and 70s are at a precipice of decay, and common property works will be a major feature of the next building boom. Get prepared OCs and start saving I say.