Paddocks Press – December 2019
The December 2019 edition of Paddocks Press is now available.
Owners have duties too
The vast majority of complaints I get about the management of sectional title schemes, are from owners who claim that their scheme’s managing agent and/or trustees are in some way failing in their duties. It is interesting how we are able to recognise the failures of others, while often being blind to our own responsibilities….
Can a body corporate accept a unit from an owner to settle substantial overdue levies?
We all know times are tough, and the reality is that some people cannot afford to pay their levies. They should sell, and as quickly as possible, but often they hold on too long and run up major debt to the body corporate in the form of unpaid levies. Once the legal fees are added,…
Q&A – 2019 12
By the Paddocks Club team Below are examples of two questions on the Paddocks Club discussion forum, to show you what is available to our Community members! Can some owners have an informal meeting to discuss another’s behaviour? Member’s question: Good day Paddock Team, We have a small body corporate of 5 owners who are…
Paddocks Press – November 2019
The November 2019 edition of Paddocks Press is now available.
Time and tide wait for no man
“The members of my body corporate took a decision at our annual general meeting, held on 10 April 2019, which I believe is unreasonable and I would like to oppose it. Can I refer this matter to the CSOS?” When I get this type of query, I have to advise the client that they have…
Is arbitration an internal dispute resolution mechanism?
The Community Schemes Ombud Services Act (“the CSOS Act”) states that upon receiving an application, an ombud may require the applicant to provide evidence that an internal dispute resolution mechanism has been unsuccessful. What this means essentially, is that before making an application to the CSOS for relief, you should ensure that you can prove…
Q&A – 2019 11
By the Paddocks Club team Below are examples of two questions on the Paddocks Club discussion forum, to show you what is available to our Community members! Can a body corporate force access to repair a leaking toilet? Member’s question: Good day Paddock Team, There is a unit that has a leak which comes from…
Paddocks Press – October 2019
The October 2019 edition of Paddocks Press is now available.
Box smart at the CSOS
One of the most important reasons for the establishment of the CSOS is to provide a cost effective dispute resolution mechanism to community schemes. Although there have been a number of reported “growing pains” related to this relatively young platform, we believe that it is proving to be useful. While there may be a long…
Requirements for a proxy appointment
It is often hard to get sectional owners to attend meetings and for the body corporate to get a quorum of owners present or represented. The normal quorum requirement is one third of all owners’ voting values, but it is not unusual for general meetings to be automatically adjourned for a week because there is…
Q&A – 2019 10
By the Paddocks Club team Below are examples of two questions on the Paddocks Club discussion forum, to show you what is available to our Community members! Adult son of tenant visiting, sleeping in vehicle on common property: What to do? Member’s question: Good day Paddock Team, What is the right of the body corporate…
Paddocks Press – September 2019
The September 2019 edition of Paddocks Press is now available.
Parking. Parking. Parking.
The first lesson of economics is scarcity, there is never enough of anything to fully satisfy all those who want it, which is why one of the most valuable additions to any property is secure, and preferably covered, off street parking. Unfortunately, many sectional title schemes lack the necessary space required to fully satisfy all…
What can owners do when body corporate trustees go rogue?
Sectional owners frequently complain that trustees spend scheme money on expenses that are not covered by the body corporate’s approved budgets, sometimes on unnecessary expenses, or that they spend more than the budgeted amounts. What can owners do when this happens? The law requires that trustees must spend the body corporate’s money in accordance with…