Understanding Owners' Obligations in Strata: Your Role in Maintaining the Scheme
Living in a strata scheme brings with it a unique blend of shared responsibilities and individual ownership. For many property owners, understanding these obligations can help ensure the smooth operation of the community while protecting the value of their investment. In this post, we'll explore some of the key duties that owners have in a strata scheme, particularly when it comes to paying levies and the often-overlooked responsibility of reporting maintenance requests and hazards to the strata manager.
Paying Levies: A Shared Responsibility
One of the primary obligations of every owner in a strata scheme is paying levies. Levies are financial contributions that each owner makes to cover the costs of maintaining and managing the common property and running the day-to-day operations of the Owners Corporation (OC). These costs can include things like cleaning, gardening, building insurance, and repairs to common areas such as lobbies, stairwells, and pools.
There are generally two types of levies:
Administration Fund Levies: Used to cover regular, ongoing expenses like utilities, cleaning, and general maintenance.
Capital Works Fund Levies: Set aside for major repairs and long-term maintenance of the property, such as roof repairs, repainting, or replacing shared infrastructure.
It’s important to stay on top of levy payments, as failure to pay can lead to penalties and legal action from the OC. More critically, unpaid levies can affect the overall health of the scheme, delaying essential maintenance and repairs.
Reporting Maintenance Requests and Hazards
While paying levies is a crucial aspect of strata living, one area that owners often misunderstand is their role in reporting maintenance issues or hazards within the property. A strata manager’s role is primarily administrative. They handle the books, keep records, manage the budget, and assist the OC in fulfilling its obligations—but they are not responsible for overseeing the property’s physical upkeep unless specifically requested.
This means it is the Owners Corporation (OC) or individual owners' responsibility to report maintenance requests and any potential hazards. Whether it's a leaky roof, broken stairs, or a fire safety concern, the strata manager cannot act unless these issues are reported.
Proactive Reporting = Proactive Management
The OC must inform the strata manager about anything that requires attention. Once the manager receives these requests, they can organise repairs, hire contractors, or arrange inspections. The strata manager works with the OC to find the best course of action, but again, they need the request to come from you.
Here are a few things owners should keep in mind:
Regularly inspect your property: If you notice something on the common property that needs attention, it’s your duty to report it to the strata manager. This could include anything from peeling paint to a malfunctioning gate.
Safety first: Hazards, especially those that pose a risk to residents or visitors, should be reported immediately. These could be tripping hazards, exposed wires, or a broken security door.
Maintenance logs: It’s useful for the OC to keep a log of all reported maintenance issues and requests to ensure nothing is missed or overlooked.
By promptly reporting issues, you not only contribute to the well-being of the community but also help avoid larger, costlier repairs down the road.
The OC’s Decision-Making Power
Ultimately, it’s the Owners Corporation that has the authority to make decisions regarding the maintenance of common property. If the OC wants the strata manager to arrange for repairs, the request needs to be officially raised during meetings or via written communication.
For major repairs or expenses, the OC may need to vote on how to proceed, ensuring that the entire community has a say in how funds are spent.
Working Together Harmoniously
In a strata scheme, owners play a crucial role in ensuring the property remains well-maintained and safe. While the strata manager helps manage the administrative aspects of the scheme, it is the responsibility of owners and the OC to report issues, hazards, and maintenance needs. Remember, staying proactive with these reports can save the community time, money, and potential safety concerns.
By understanding and fulfilling your obligations, you contribute to a harmonious living environment while also protecting your investment. So, keep paying your levies on time, and don’t hesitate to report any maintenance issues or hazards to your strata manager. After all, they’re there to help – but only once you’ve made them aware of the problem.
For more information about how QT Strata can best help you manage your most valuable investment, contact us today.