16 July, 2021
New strata law changes for Vic
New changes in strata law are set to come into effect in Victoria from December 2021. What do they mean for strata managers and owners corporation committees?
What are the most common owners corporation problems?
From parking to partying we look at some of the most common problems faced by any owners corporation.
Every building is unique and comes with its own set of challenges. We know this because we approach each building as such and provide a complete, custom strata management solution with each appraisal. Despite this, there are still those common problems that we see regularly faced by owners corporations and body corporates. Let’s look at them in alphabetical order.
Behaviour of people
The behaviour of an owner, occupier or a visitor is one of the more complained about topics in a strata managed building. Behaviour that is illegal, causes a nuisance or is a hazard to anyone else can fall into the camp of a common complaint.
Communal spaces
Sharing of communal areas such as function rooms, BBQ’s, spas or pools are often hotly contested. Common disputes that arise here can include obnoxious behaviour, lack of cleanliness and lack of access over some residents taking all the time.
Facilities Manager
The day to day problems fall on the shoulder of the building or facilities manager, which is often a live-in position. They are also the first point of contact for aggrieved residents and regularly the coalface of complaints.
Insufficient Sinking Funds
Any shortfall on the sinking fund puts the onus back on existing lot owners which can be quite the grievance if not prepared or expecting it.
Maintenance
A regular topic of complaint is around the upkeep (or lack thereof) of maintenance around the building. This could range from things like cost of repairs, disruption of enjoyment if for example the parking garage is closed for repairs, or if the elevator is out of service. Lot owners also may be compelled to obtain permission before making alterations to their lot that may impact the common property.
Noise
Arguments, music, kids and pets are some of the repeat offenders for noise complaints. Other noise complaints could be from neighbours’ renovations, building repairs or from things outside the OCC control like traffic works.
Parking
Issues with parking are forever cropping up in buildings, especially where parking is limited. Issues with visitor parking spaces, such as time limits or lack of available parking spaces are often matters of contention. There are often complaints of residents taking visitor parking spaces that might be in short supply.
Partying
Everyone has the right to quiet enjoyment, so parties, especially those that are loud and continue well into the wee hours of the morning are real pet peeves in apartments, particularly for apartments being leased out on air bnb for temporary stays.
Renovations
Most people who purchase a space want to really make it their own - and this includes making improvements and upgrades. Renovations typically require permission of the strata, but there are also restrictions of time in which noisy works can be completed. With more of us working from home than ever before renovations can be annoying to say the least.
Smoking
No smoking bans are becoming more common for communal areas, but much of the complaints come from residents smoking on balconies, especially from those in the apartments or units above.
Fortunately with the right strata management and complaints process in place, many of the above common complaints are easily resolved without the need to escalate.
Get in touch today for a free appraisal and see the Amity Strata Management difference for yourself. Fill in the form below and let us provide a custom strata management solution for your building.
Date Published
16 July, 2021
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