Property Maintenance
Maintenance of the common property includes corrective day to day maintenance, maintenance of major capital items and emergency corrective maintenance.
It is the responsibility of the owners corporation to repair and maintain:
•the common property
•chattels, fixtures, fittings and services related to the common property
•equipment and services that benefit some or all of the lots and common property
Preparing a maintenance plan
Prescribed owners corporations and Properties with multiple owners corporations are required to have a 10 year maintenance plan (& appropriate fund to cover costs) for major capital items including:
•the present condition of each major item
•when the item will need repair or replacement
•the estimated cost of repair and replacement
•the expected life of those items once repaired or replaced.
The progress of the maintenance plan implementation must be reported at each annual general meeting. Significant alterations to the use or appearance of its common property can only be made if the alterations are either listed in the maintenance plan or approved by special resolution at a general meeting.
A special resolution is also required if the common property is to be upgraded, renovated or improved and the estimated total cost is double annual total fees, or works require a planning building permit. Note: Urgent works (for OH&S reasons or to prevent significant loss/damage) do not require a special resolution.
Maintaining and renovating individual lots
A lot owner within an owners corporation can renovate the interior of their apartment (the owners corporation must be notified if the renovations require a building or planning permit). The exterior of each lot must be kept in 'good and serviceable repair'. Its appearance must not affect other lot owners’ use and enjoyment of the property.
If an owner fails to keep the exterior in good and serviceable repair, an owners corporation can, in writing, order the owners to carry out repairs.
If the requested repairs are not carried out within 28 days, the owners corporation can perform the work without the lot owner’s approval and charge the owner for the cost.
