Columns » Owners’ Corporation Law
Strict time limitation periods for bringing a building defect claim means OCs cannot sit on their hands
An owners’ corporation (OC) owes a strict duty to repair and maintain its common property, and this duty can be enforced by any member of the relevant OC.
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Think twice and sleep on it before firing off that email complaint to the owners’ corporation chairperson
A Court in Sydney has awarded damages of $120,000 to the elderly chairperson of an apartment block, after a tenant sent an email to him and the other owners in which she asked him to stop emailing her about locking her mailbox.
Read MoreLot owners should choose wisely and seek advice before filing VCAT proceedings
There has been a sharp rise in the volume of cases filed in VCAT by lot owners against owners’ corporations (OCs) and managers.
Read MoreNew building laws to clean up the industry
Last month, the Victorian Parliament introduced the Building Legislation Amendment Bill into the lower house, seeking to substantially amend the Building Act 1993 and the Architects Act 1991 by improving consumer protections for owners.
Read MoreWater damage claims expose risk to owners’ corporations
Studies of recent VCAT cases in water damage claims highlight the need for owners’ corporations (OCs) to work faster and work smarter.
Read MoreWet ‘n’ wild comes to high-rise Melbourne
Unfortunately, we are well into storm season in Australia, and the east coast is being battered with its usual fair share of heavy rains and high winds.
Read MoreIt’s raining election promises, but nothing in sight for owners’ corporations
What has been most surprising during this most recent election campaign is that there has been no post-election commitment to fund Cladding Safety Victoria (CSV) from either of the major parties.
Read MoreBoom, bust and out of here
More builders and developers will choose to “go bust” instead of being held accountable to owners’ corporations (OCs) for dodgy building defects.
Read MoreSydney’s Mascot Tower and Opal Towers should serve as a warning to Melbourne’s building industry
A downturn in consumer confidence about building standards is the last thing that developers and builders of residential apartment buildings need right now.
Read MoreGovernment’s new legislation to ban embedded networks a welcome move
Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio has announced a ban on developers entering into embedded network agreements in new residential apartment buildings, in a move that has been welcomed by owners’ corporations (OCs) all over Melbourne.
Read MoreTaking the plunge on owners’ corporation plumbing defect claims
Victorian consumers of plumbing services might be surprised to learn that they are protected by the most comprehensive statutory protections in Australia.
Read MoreWater ingress claims against OCs set to skyrocket after marathon VCAT case
After a hearing spanning 11 days, more than 2000 documents, and extensive legal arguments on both sides, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has ordered an owners’ corporation (OC) on St Kilda Rd to carry out $58,000 worth of rectification works to an apartment.
Read MoreHigh-speed internet thrills are just a special resolution away …
Technology is advancing so quickly these days. That television set and that iPhone that we bought just three years ago (which still works just fine by the way) is all too quickly consigned to the obsolete pile, as consumer electronic brands compete to bring out the next biggest thing.
Read MoreConsumer Affairs takes steps to improve the governance of OC managers
One bad apple can spoil the bunch. The owners’ corporation (OC) management industry is filled with talented and passionate individuals, who love working in OC management and thrive on the fast-paced nature of the business.
Read MoreAnother thing to consider before buying an apartment “off the plan” – check the builder too
With news hitting the public in late February regarding the construction juggernaut Probuild going into administration, many in the construction industry are now bracing for a ripple effect of smaller contractors and sub-contractors to also pull the plug.
Read MoreVCAT rules that pigeon infestation on apartment building not enough to justify special levy
An owners’ corporation (OC) in St Kilda has found itself in a messy situation in VCAT, with the Senior Member refusing to enforce an OC request to certain lot owners to rid the main apartment building from a pigeon infestation.
Read MoreWhat to do next with cladding
More buildings with high-risk combustible cladding have been added to the list, as the government ponders what to do next.
Read MoreDid your apartment building suffer any earthquake damage? The committee needs to investigate
As if Melbourne hasn’t endured enough over the past 18 months. Pandemic, lockdown, anti-vax riots, losing the hosting rights to the AFL Grand Final, and now, an earthquake. What’s next? A plague of locusts perhaps …
Read MoreLife is short - don’t let time (limitation periods) slip away
The Supreme Court of Victoria recently decided in a case involving a large residential building complex on St Kilda Rd to deny the joinder of individual lot owners to a building claim already commenced by the owners’ corporation (OC), on the basis they were out of time to do so.
Read MoreNoisy neighbours
Living in an apartment building brings with it all forms of minor inconveniences.
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