› Flat Chat Strata Forum › Common Property › CP and the Strata Committee › Under-floor ventilation in old building? or “open the windows”! › Current Page
We have had issues with damp in one apartment in our scheme, and learnt a lot from that about damp, the causes of damp, what can be done, and who might be responsible for what (with emphasis on the word “might”).
I suggest you can split this into two parts:
– are there issues with the common property that are causing the damp – for example, the foundations, damp proof course, sub-floor ventilation etc.
– is the owner causing or contributing to a damp issue by their actions, such as not opening windows.
The Building Code requires that rooms be adequately ventilated, including cross-ventilation. This is done with windows, doors etc. that open to outside.
So have there been any issues identified, have you ruled out any issues with the common property? The best thing to do is get an expert in to look at the property and advise you as to whether in their opinion the mould is a result of inadequate ventilation, or some other reason. If it is the common property, then the Owners Corporation is responsible.
In our case it was slightly different because the rooms are below ground and not habitable spaces (ceilings below requisite height). Therefore a number of the Building Code requirements didn’t apply.