A Serious Defect Has Been Identified: What Now?
Terms such as structural defect, waterproofing failure, concrete spalling, fire safety defect or major water ingress naturally attract attention. A serious body corporate defects identified is only the beginning of the story. A defect may already have been thoroughly investigated, funded and scheduled for rectification. Another may have been discussed for years without the cause, […]
Body Corporate Special Levies: What They Reveal About A Scheme
Body corporate special levies are a funding decisions – but it can also be an important clue about maintenance planning and financial pressure. The words special levy tend to attract immediate attention. For an owner, they mean an additional payment beyond the contributions ordinarily expected. For a buyer reviewing body corporate records, they can signal […]
When Body Corporate Repairs Are Delayed
When body corporate repairs are delayed it does not always mean there is a problem. The more useful question is whether the records show a reasonable, continuing response. A water leak has been investigated. A contractor says the source is common property. The report has been sent to the body corporate—and months later, the repai […]
Exterior Repainting in a Body Corporate
Painting may be predictable, but the preparation, access, repairs and funding can turn it into one of a body corporate’s largest maintenance projects. Exterior repainting happens more often than many owners expect. It is usually routine maintenance, but it rarely involves paint alone. Access can be expensive, hidden façade defects may emerge during preparation, and […]
Efflorescence in Body Corporate Buildings: What Does It Mean?
The white, powdery deposit is usually not the defect. It is a clue that moisture has moved through the building material. Efflorescence has an alarming name, but its appearance is usually much easier to recognise: a white, off-white or grey powder or crystalline deposit on concrete, brickwork, render or other porous building materials. On its […]
Should You Worry About Concrete Spalling in a Body Corporate?
Concrete spalling in a body corporate can be a small, manageable repair or evidence of a wider deterioration problem. The difference lies in the cause, extent and quality of the body corporate’s response. Concrete spalling—often called concrete cancer—is common in reinforced concrete buildings, particularly in coastal environments. It may appear as a small patch of […]
Water Ingress in a Body Corporate: A Sign, Not a Diagnosis
Water ingress in a body corporate tells you that water is entering somewhere it should not. It does not, by itself, identify the source, the cause, who is responsible, the extent of the damage or whether the underlying problem has been resolved. What does water ingress mean? Water ingress is a broad term for moisture […]
Statutory Warranties in a Body Corporate
Statutory warranties in a body corporate relate to section 223 of the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (BCCM Act), the provision titled “Implied Warranties.” A statutory warranty is a legally mandated guarantee established by law or specific state legislation. In Australia statutory warranties commonly aim at consumer protection and section 223 Implied Warranties […]
Buying into a New Body Corporate: What Issues to Look For
A pre purchase strata report is a review of body corporate records for a specific scheme to, at best, give buyers peace of mind they’ve chosen well, and at worst to allow them to walk away from difficult situations. But when you’re buying into a new body corporate, there’s an obvious problem: there aren’t many […]
How Much Should Be In A Body Corporate Sinking Fund?
How much should be in a body corporate sinking fund? $50,000, $100,000, or $1 million? As, with most things in body corporate the answer depends on several factors. What is the Sinking Fund for? A sinking fund is a capital works savings account. In NSW it’s referred to as a capital works fund but it’s […]