Flat Chat Strata Forum Common Property Current Page

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #50512
    fruitzebra
    Flatchatter

      The hot water system of the strata is outside my main bedroom and just next to my window. It makes noises when it is heating up. It keeps coming and going. And the thin metal cover of the system makes big noises whenever it rains and rains hit the cover.  Since it only affects my unit, the OC is not interested in doing anything. What’s the possibility of moving it to the other side? Would there be a big cost?

       

    Viewing 12 replies - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)
    • Author
      Replies
    • #50536
      kaindub
      Flatchatter

        Is it a gas heater?

        There are rules about how close a gas heater can be to an opening window.

        Ask a plumber and see if the heater is incorrectly situated.

        That may be your best course of action.

        #50546
        fruitzebra
        Flatchatter
        Chat-starter

          Is it a gas heater? There are rules about how close a gas heater can be to an opening window. Ask a plumber and see if the heater is incorrectly situated. That may be your best course of action.

          Now think of it, it is most likely gas heater, because I receive gas bills and in the unit there is only electricity usage. That would be the only source of my gas bills.

          #50544
          fruitzebra
          Flatchatter
          Chat-starter

            Is it a gas heater? There are rules about how close a gas heater can be to an opening window. Ask a plumber and see if the heater is incorrectly situated. That may be your best course of action.

            I’m not sure what kind of heater it is. Here I attached a photo:

             

            #50550
            Jimmy-T
            Keymaster

              This Whirlpool Q&A would seem to suggest the heater in’t too close.  But what is the source of the noise?  if it’s vibration, proximity to the window won’t make as much difference as which wall it’s attached to, and how.

              The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
              #50553
              kaindub
              Flatchatter

                Now you have me confused.

                If this is “strata” why are you paying the gas bill?

                It looks like a villa? Does that heater  only supply your lot?

                Im going to stick my neck out and say by the location, and other factors, it’s actually your property.

                If I am correct then you can relocate it, at your expense and with the approval of the OC.

                #50555
                fruitzebra
                Flatchatter
                Chat-starter

                  This Whirlpool Q&A would seem to suggest the heater in’t too close. But what is the source of the noise? if it’s vibration, proximity to the window won’t make as much difference as which wall it’s attached to, and how.

                  It’s not vibration noise. Firstly when the system heats up water, it makes a loud noise. It keeps coming and going frequently, because people are using hot water, especially late night when most people are showering presumably. Secondly when it rains, rains hit the thin metal cover and make big noises. These noises transmit to my bedroom through the window, as walls are much better sound insulator than windows.

                  So moving it to the other side will solve both noise issues. But OC doesn’t want to do anything about it since it only affects my unit.

                  #50556
                  fruitzebra
                  Flatchatter
                  Chat-starter

                    Now you have me confused. If this is “strata” why are you paying the gas bill? It looks like a villa? Does that heater only supply your lot? Im going to stick my neck out and say by the location, and other factors, it’s actually your property. If I am correct then you can relocate it, at your expense and with the approval of the OC.

                    It’s not a villa. It’s 2-story unit/apartment. Only one of my bedrooms sticks out like that. The hot water system is common property for the whole building.

                    #50559
                    Sir Humphrey
                    Strataguru

                      If this is “strata” why are you paying the gas bill?

                      In strata situations there is sometimes a central gas-fired hot water system. The individual units have a water volume meter on their hot water supply and then pay a ‘gas bill’ that is worked out from the volume of delivered hot water as their pro-rata share of the gas bill for the central water heater.

                      That said, this does look more like the size of gas hot water storage heater the might be just for the one unit.

                      #50560
                      fruitzebra
                      Flatchatter
                      Chat-starter

                        In strata situations there is sometimes a central gas-fired hot water system. The individual units have a water volume meter on their hot water supply and then pay a ‘gas bill’ that is worked out from the volume of delivered hot water as their pro-rata share of the gas bill for the central water heater. That said, this does look more like the size of gas hot water storage heater the might be just for the one unit.

                        I’m pretty sure the hot water system is for the whole building (11 units only). It’s not my property. Otherwise OC would ask me to do whatever I want.

                        #50566
                        Jimmy-T
                        Keymaster

                          The owners corp has a duty to protect your peaceful enjoyment of your lot.  I wonder if they (and you) would acccept a compromise of a triple-glazed window installed at their expense. If, as you say, all the noise is coming via the window, that would be a lot less expensive that the relocation of the heater and all the piping

                          The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
                          #50616
                          fruitzebra
                          Flatchatter
                          Chat-starter

                            From the conversations I had with the OC, it’s very unlikely they will agree to pay for the installation of  a triple-glazed window.

                            #50618
                            Jimmy-T
                            Keymaster

                              From the conversations I had with the OC, it’s very unlikely they will agree to pay for the installation of a triple-glazed window.

                              They might if the alternative is to move the water heater.

                              The first thing you should do is start proceedings at Fair Trading for mediation with a view to taking action at NCAT under section 232 (2), failure to fulfill their responsibilities under the Act.

                              And bear in mind, your job is not to come up with a solution; the OC’s job is to resolve a problem with common property.  If they say it’s not common property, tell them you will be removing it and replacing it with an indoor heater just for your home.

                              The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
                            Viewing 12 replies - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)
                            • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

                            Flat Chat Strata Forum Common Property Current Page