- This topic has 7 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 9 months ago by .
-
Topic
-
We have a designated common laundry room with washers and dryers for the residents to use.
Some residents have begun to install their own machines in the common laundry.
Each unit has their own individual power source in the common laundry to connect the machines to each time they do their clothes.
With this, I am wondering is it a common laundry room then if each has their own power supply?
The room can only accommodate 3 machines. It’s be a nightmare/unworkable if everyone put a machine in there.
The only bylaw I see in the NSW Schedule 3 which we are under is
Obstruction of common property
An owner or occupier of a lot must not obstruct lawful use of common property by any person except on a temporary and non-recurring basis.
It’s a bit general but i see it as the only one to ping them on.
-
Replies
-
I can see where this might become an issue but is there a problem right now?
I think this would be something that you could discuss with all the owners to see what they think.
But the first person who isn’t able to get their machine into the laundry may be able to take the scheme to NCAT and get everyone’s machines cleared out unless they were prepared to allow them to be used communally.
Two possible solutions would be for the owners of the existing machines to allow them to be used communally and for the power usage to be billed back to individual units using coded electrical meters.
Or you could clear out the existing machines and have coin or code operated machines installed for communal use.
As I said, this is something for discussion – perhaps reminding owners that “first in, best dressed” is not a principle that stands up in strata law.
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.
I agree JT.
If there are not enough washing machines and dryers for the number of users is there anything stopping you from plumbings these items into your own apartment and installing them in a kitchen cabinet or a bathroom cabinet as many people in Europe and Asia do?
It should be no more complicated than installing a dishwasher.
I’m not sure what OC approvals you would need but it may be easier than trying to squeeze more machines in the existing common property laundry.
If each unit has its own individual power supply, this would suggested each one would be hooked up to the unit’s meter/switchboard.
In previous similar situations I have encountered there was a cover over the outlet which could be padlocked to stop other residents “stealing” incorrect supplies, or there was an over-riding switch in the unit itself.
I always found it was more convenient to keep my washing machine in the bathroom, they were usually big enough in those days.
Something tangential to keep in mind perhaps: If the laundry is on a ground floor close to the parking and if I have understood correctly that there are individual power outlets that go back to the meters of individual units, it might be relatively easy to sort out electric vehicle charging. It might not cost much to get an electrician to extend or reroute the cables to outlets in the allocated parking spaces of each unit.
This will get you around the added hassle of sorting out how to meter electricity consumption for vehicles. With everyone connected to their own units, everyone can sort themselves out via their own electricity accounts. Early adopters need not be held back by others who don’t want to co-operate etc.
Don’t let anyone tell you that EV charging needs high powered outlets such as 32A or 7kW. Even though many newer EVs have on-board chargers capable of charging at 7kW, they comply with standards that allow them to run off an ordinary 10A power point with an appropriate adaptor, usually supplied with the car. I have been driving EVs for a decade and we now have two electric cars in our household and we have always charged them from an ordinary 10A power point.
Is there a problem with the number of washers that the OC has provided? Is that why the additional washers were installed by the owners? If the number of OC washers is inadequate then perhaps your OC should be addressing that problem.
I’m guessing that people have arrived at the building with washing machines from their previous homes and feel it would be a waste not to use them. Or there may be some illogical squeamishness about “sharing” laundry facilities.
In any case, these machines should not be there, especially as they are getting in the way. I would be sending out a polite note telling people that the laundry is common property and they are not permitted to leave anything there, including white goods.
Set a deadline for their removal and perhaps offer the numbers of a charity or a second-hand dealer who will take them off their hands. Failure to remove them means they will be treated as “abandoned goods” as defined by Section 32 of the Strata Regulations:
32 Disposal of abandoned goods: section 125 of Act(1) This clause applies to goods left on common property (other than motor vehicles and things permitted by the owners corporation to remain on common property).
(2) The owners corporation may dispose of goods left on common property if:
(a) a disposal notice has been placed on or near the goods and the goods have not been removed from the common property within the period specified in the disposal notice, or
(b) they are perishable goods, or
(c) they consist only of rubbish.
(3) A disposal notice must:
(a) not be less than the size of an A4 piece of paper, and
(b) be placed in a position or be in a material so that the contents of the notice are not likely to be detrimentally affected by weather, and
(c) describe the goods and state the date and time the notice was issued, and
(d) state that the goods will be disposed of if they are not removed from the common property before the date and time specified in the notice (being not earlier than 5 days after the notice was placed on or near the goods), and
(e) specify contact details for a member of the strata committee, the strata managing agent or a delegate of the owners corporation in relation to the notice.
(4) If the goods are so placed that they block an entrance or exit, the owners corporation may move the goods to another place on the common property before placing a disposal notice on or near the goods, and for that purpose the owners corporation is taken to be the owner of the goods.
(5) The owners corporation may dispose of the goods by selling them or in any other lawful manner and for that purpose is taken to be the owner of the goods.
(6) A purchaser of goods sold by an owners corporation in accordance with this clause acquires a good title to the goods freed and discharged of any interest of any person who would otherwise have an interest in the goods.
(7) The proceeds of a sale of goods under this clause are to be paid to the administrative fund of the owners corporation.
(8) The owners corporation must make a record of goods sold under this clause and keep the record for a period of not less than 12 months after the disposal.
(9) The record must contain the following particulars:
(a) a description of the goods,
(b) the date of the sale,
(c) the name and address of the purchaser,
(d) if sold by auction, the address of the principal place of business of the auctioneer.
Obviously, if they are just left there, the easiest thing to do is give them to charity and then you don’t have the hassle of selling them, then giving the money (minus the costs of the sale) to the owner.
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.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.