A new option is available to strata owners and owner’s corporations when dealing with the age old issue of who owns what in a strata scheme.
Local surveyor Steve Kipreotis of King & Campbell says that a memorandum has been developed to define who is responsible for the repair, replacement and maintenance of items or areas contained within a strata scheme.
The memorandum is an initiative of the Strata Industry Working Group which includes representatives from industry and Government.
Mr Kipreotis said that the memorandum can be adopted by new or existing strata schemes and should be seriously considered by owner’s corporations to ensure potential problems within a strata complex are avoided.
Under the strata title legislation the owner’s corporation is responsible for the repair and maintenance of the part of the strata scheme which comprises common property.
Lot owners are responsible for that part of the scheme that comprises their lot.
The memorandum provides a guide to assist with determining whether a particular item in a strata scheme is part of an owner’s lot or common property.
The memorandum is designed to promote harmonious strata living and to minimise disputes that lead to civil litigation.
“Often, the most simple things can cause problem,” Mr Kipreotis said.
“For example who is responsible for painting a balcony ceiling or railing, who is responsible for water leaking through a wall and who is responsible for fencing in a courtyard?”
All of these matters seem simple but often lead to very long, drawn out disputes that are detrimental to the enjoyment of a strata unit.
Mr Kipreotis says more information is available at http://www.lpma.nsw.gov.au and he advisessanyone thinking about adopting the new arrangements to seek professional advice about whether the memorandum is suitable for their Strata scheme.
