Body Corporate Problems: The 5 Areas Where Things Go Wrong

body corporate problemsFor the most part body corporates are well managed, fiscally sound, have a great mix of residents and make for good investments.

Sometimes though, they’re not any of those things and the results can be incredibly costly and stressful.

Body corporate problems come up in all sorts of areas, some easily dealt with, some not so much, and sometimes things just go completely pear shaped. I’ve seen a lot of different issues over the years but even I get surprised at how some scenarios play out.

That’s the problem: buildings are individual. They have different mixes of plans, materials and locations. Two buildings could be built next to each other from the same plans with the same materials and they’d still be different.

With so many variables it’s impossible to name all the potential issues that can and do arise, which is a bit of a problem for potential investors.

That said, when I do a search I am looking at five main areas where body corporate problems arise.

1. Financial Stability

Body corporates are legal entities like you or me or the local shop. They have bank accounts, lodge tax returns and enter into credit contracts just like every other legal entity.

And just like you or me or the local shop a body corporate can run into financial trouble and even go bankrupt.

And that’s a problem because body corporates rarely go bankrupt. Instead, in times of trouble, body corporates look to their members, the lot owners, to contribute more funds.

If you’re potentially planning on joining a body corporate it’s vital to be satisfied with the financial stability of the scheme.

There are key performance indicators  such as debt ratios and cash levels, that can tell you how a body corporate is performing and an examination of what’s going on with the building will give you an indication of likely future changes.

2. Legislative Compliance

There are a significant number of acts that impact on the management of a body corporate, other than just the BCCM Act 1997 which governs how a body corporate is managed.

Pool safety legislation requires pool safety certificates, fire safety legislation requires systems and measurement and workplace health and safety legislation creates all sorts of obligations, like asbestos registers.

For body corporates it certainly increases the cost of management and can be frustrating. The reality is that legislation has been passed for a specific reason and non-compliance can lead to fines and penalties and of course the natural consequences the legislation is seeking to avoid.

Compliance with legislation is important and non-compliance tells it’s own story.

3. Management Issues

Strong management is vital for a body corporate to meet it’s obligations and thrive.

The committee, with the help of contractors, run the body corporate. Given that most committee members are volunteers who juggle their existing work and home lives with the demands of sometimes very complex body corporates it’s easy to see where problems can come up.

Good management drives legislative compliance and fiscal strength and it also helps the body corporate operate in an environment which is essentially, lets face it, a group of virtual strangers who’ve ended up living together.

4. Disputes

One of the strongest benefits of a body corporate is the ability to create a safe, secure, supportive environment where people love to live.

Unfortunately there’s one slight hiccup. People.

Body corporates thrive when there are clear, enforced rules. Sadly, not everyone likes to obey the rules and disputes do erupt. That can be anything from noisy neighbours through property damage all the way up to criminal activity.

The affects of disputes can be very damaging, ranging from an uncomfortable home environment to arbitration and costly court cases.

5. Building Condition

In any body corporate the term “building” really means common property. A lot of things can go wrong with common property. Roads crack, roofs leak, windows don’t seal, any number of potential issues can arise.

New buildings tend to have unresolved building defects. Older buildings require refurbishment and replacement of infrastructure. And of course accidents can happen any time.

Which doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem. New buildings have warranties, older buildings have built up sinking funds specifically to fund works and every building is insured.

The problem is that doesn’t actually mean there isn’t an issue. Builders go broke, sinking funds can be woefully lacking and sometimes insurers won’t pay. In short, building condition is a bit of a wild card.

Its All Interconnected

These are the five main areas where I look for body corporate problems and my reports are structured to address these issues. Each of these areas contribute to the overall health of a body corporate, but, issues in one area seldom stay that way.

Problems with finances will affect repairs and maintenance, problems with leadership can lead to legislative non-compliance or disputes with other owners. Each area must play its part for real strength.

Most body corporates are well managed and maintained, issue reasonable levies consistently and experience minor issues that are quickly dealt with. Sometimes though, they aren’t.

Comments

  1. Hi Lisa,

    I’ve read a number of your articles – all so easy to digest. Thank you for providing such a great resource.

    I have a question about where to find more information on the Body Corporate’s responsibilities for fire safety legislation? Is it in the BCCM Act?

    I am in a Unit block of 7 lots in Brisbane. The Chair of the Body Corp has emailed myself and another owner saying that if we don’t have an evacuation plan on the back of our front doors we will be in violation of the fire code, and that we need to train our tenants to use the fire extinguisher. He has not provided any further information, and I imagine this is just based on his opinion rather than fact.

    Can you please advise where I can read up more on my responsibilities vs the Body Corporate’s responsibilities? I understand it is my job to have working smoke alarms within my unit, but I thought things like evacuation paths and plans would be with the Body Corp?

    Thanks in advance, Steph

    • Hi Steph

      You’re quite right. It is the body corporate responsibility to prepare the evacuation plan and the lot owner must display inside the lot.

      As to who is responsible for what: the body corporate for all common areas, and exit plans would be common areas, and the lot owner everything within the lot, so smoke alarms. The body corporate should have smoke alarms on common property if their fire safety report designates.

      Refer to the Queensland Fire & Rescue Service for information about fire safety regulations. I am actually thinking of writing an eBook about it, since it is so difficult to find.

      • Great, thank you Lisa. I will look in to the QFRS information further. Steph

      • Malcolm Forster says:

        My Wife and I are having disputes with the Body Corporate & the Developers of the Apartment complex that we manage. Who can we contact for assistance apart from our Lawyers who charge extremely high fees.

        • Hi Malcolm

          Its a shame you’re having difficulties, especially because it is difficult to get help.

          There are several websites you can get information from: this one, SmartStrata.com, Lookupstrata.com.au or the Flatchat forum, though these are sources of information only.

          Do contact the Office Commissioner Body Corporate if you’re in QLD. They don’t offer advice exactly, but they can talk through issues with you and the know the right questions to ask to move things forward if you feel Adjudication is a good next step. They also have a Conciliation service which is a good option to discuss issues in a hopefully less fraught environment.

          Depending on what the issues are your lawyer is going to be a good source of both information and action. I’d suggest doing what research you can, the better to be in a position to instruct your solicitor more directly.

  2. Doris Bramwell says:

    Borrowing money in a building format plan. Can we each fund our own money to pay for common property repairs. Or does this have to be everyone grouped together to borrow from a broker?

    • Hi Doris

      This is a matter for the owners. If a motion to take out a loan is passed by the majority required then the whole scheme will be bound by the motion. Other options, like some owners paying in full, is unlikely to be workable in the situation, but check with your committee as they might allow.

  3. Lorraine says:

    Lisa are you still helping people out with advice. We have a body Corp that is being run by manger . Whom has brought a bad egg . We are all paying for it, they just paid him a 135.000.00 out . Use our money to get advice from a lawyer and the lawyer said no . They still paid him. They think it’s funny .

    • Hi Lorraine

      That sounds awful, though I’m not sure I’m following what’s happened. I assume you mean you’d been having trouble with your Caretaker and paid out the term of the agreement to be rid of them. Sounds like good riddance to me.

Trackbacks

  1. […] lot owner, well, buyer beware! Body corporates can and do run into difficulties stemming from many different reasons. And if they get into difficulty they’re gonna turn to their lot owners for bailing […]

  2. […] There are five main areas where body corporates go pear shaped: […]

  3. […] with every area where body corporates develop problems what investors need to look for are the outliers, the really major problems that are best avoided. […]

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