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Hi All,
Well firstly I really hope that the members of my EC that are giving me grief are not members of this forum, as I would say they will recognise my complaints!
Issue #1: I broke the rules. I had a friend park a car in front of my garage, yes on common property, however this was not in the way of any other person in my building. I had the strata manager call me regarding this and she stated that a couple of people had an issue with it (for the record, she never said “don’t park there”). I responded that i wasn’t sure why the said parties had any issues with the car there as it was in nobody’s way. She said she would get back to me… A few days later, my friend and I were approached by 3 x members of the EC, 1 being a 120kg aggressive male (I’m 55kg female). He would not let us enter the building and was screaming that he was going to go to the police due to the illegal parking. This continued for some time and I agreed the car would be moved and wouldn’t happen again.
The following day, the strata manager and main “rule enforcer” of the building being a retired female, met with me regarding the previous days event. They were firm that i was in the wrong. I have stated that the man in question is to no longer approach me under any circumstances.
This leads me to issue #2: Since such time; the following works have been undertaken on the building:
1- 4 x signs attached to the building “all garage doors are to be kept shut at all times”, 1 x sign “no parking on common property”, New letter boxes installed (for 24 units) as the way the previous letter boxes were meant that people had to walk across grass to check mail, new gardens put in, signs on doors stating “door to be kept shut”
My issue with all of the above, is that all these changes cost money yeah? And is there meant to be any consultation with the owners of the property? How much are these people allowed to spend without consultation?
Obviously, i have my nose out of joint RE the parking. If i raise this matter directly with them i am assuming they will think i am just complaining because of that- so anyone out there have any ideas on the rules?
Many thanks!
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In regards to issue #1, you have broken the rules and shouldn’t park on common property regardless of whether it’s in the way or not. You have been told not to park there but I do feel the way you have been approached is in a way classified as bullying – I’m glad you have said that you don’t want to be approached in that way again.
As for issue #2, there is probably a limit set on how much the EC can approve. This limit is set at the AGM. I’m in a complex of 14 and a limit of $15,000 has been placed on the Executive Committee’s powers for the coming year. There should have been notification about the signs and changes to the letterboxes. The EC should’ve had a meeting about this and the Agenda & Minutes should’ve been placed on the noticeboard. If the works have had a negative impact on the look of the common areas and you weren’t informed beforehand, I think you should look into this as it may lessen the value of your lot and in that case the entire OC should have voted on these changes beforehand.
new2strata, as for issue 1. The regulations make it very clear that no parking is the default situation. The relevant regs are:
STRATA SCHEMES MANAGEMENT ACT 1996 – SCHEDULE 1
SCHEDULE 1 – By-laws
2 Vehicles
An owner or occupier of a lot must not park or stand any motor or other vehicle on common property except with the written approval of the owners corporation.
I note that you state:
“however this was not in the way of any other person in my building.” …. and “I responded that i wasn’t sure why the said parties had any issues with the car there as it was in nobody’s way.”
We have a similar issue for out Strata Plan ie The physical layout and parking set up of our Units means that parking in front of garages is tolerated for a few units (where the parking of said cars doesn’t deprive anyone else and is in no one’s way).
I have previously raised the situation at our Strata on here and received some very negative comments. So it is a touchy subject but when our Strata sat down and discussed the matter it was decided that there were benefits for all owners in allowing some but not all to park in front of their garage. The major benefit being another common parking area being more available for other owners.
I obviously don’t know the physical layout of your Strata but my experience is that to argue for what you are asking for you really have to have an argument that the arrangement provides benefits all owners.
Is there any such considerations available for you to argue?
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