Re: Roof Problem – common property – water penetration – is OC liable for repairs?

I received this response from the Executive Committee via the Strata Manager to my request for a professional check for damp to the common property wall. How should I respond?

With regard to your Agents routine inspection of your property it is noted that there is no mention of water damage internally nor where there any comments regarding either repairs or maintenance required which one would normally have expected if there was any form of your stated water damage. In fact the report indicated that the premises were in good order apart from some minor paint bubbling at the front entrance area and unfortunately this still occurs in some areas of the complex.

In respect of your allegation that you sustain water damage to your property as a result of the pitch of the roof above Unit 21 we advise that the damage sustained to that unit was confined to one area, that being the lounge room. If in fact, as you allege, you have also sustained water damage then it would have been noticeable from the ceiling area of your lounge room as water would have leaked from the floor area in Unit 21 and to-date all we note is that you advise that you have sustained a mould issues in your lounge room, study, ensuite and main bedroom and these are more at the lower level of the walls.

We again point out that on previous occasions reports on that issue indicate that it was as a result of poor circulation of air within the premises and that when testing was done the moisture levels were well within acceptable levels.

We would advise that having spoken with Unit 21 repair to the roofline has been undertaken and we do not envisage further occurrences of water ingress to the premises. This will be continually monitored by Unit 21 who will advise if this is not the case.