Confused about maintenance responsibilities in your complex?
Discover who pays for leaking geysers, burst pipes, and window repairs in a Sectional Title Scheme.
Discover who pays for leaking geysers, burst pipes, and window repairs in a Sectional Title Scheme.
Who is responsible for maintenance?
In a Sectional Title Scheme, the general rule of thumb is that the Body Corporate maintains the common property, while individual owners are responsible for the interior of their sections. However, specific items like geysers, pipes, and exterior windows have special rules.
Who is responsible for a leaking geyser?
It is the owner's responsibility to maintain, repair, and replace the geyser that serves their section. Even if the geyser is physically located on the common property (like the roof cavity or inside the walls of the section) and is insured by the Body Corporate's policy, the ongoing maintenance and the insurance excess remain the responsibility of the owner who benefits from the hot water.
Who is responsible for water pipes?
The responsibility for water pipes depends on the type of water and who it serves:
Who pays for leaks between units?
If water leaks from an upstairs unit into yours, dealing with the damage is generally a matter between the two owners, not the Body Corporate. Every owner is legally obliged to keep their section in a good state of repair. If you suffer damage because the owner above you failed to maintain their pipes or shower tray, you are entitled to claim the reasonable costs of your repairs from them. Result in damages are usually covered under the body corporate’s insurance policy.
Who is responsible for exterior windows and doors?
The exterior parts of walls, windows, and doors that form the boundary between your section and the common property are a shared responsibility. The STSM Act dictates that the expenses for maintaining, repairing, or replacing these boundary windows and doors should be split equally (50/50) between the owner and the Body Corporate- With exception to the working mechanism or hardware of the door which would be owners responsibility.
In a Sectional Title Scheme, the general rule of thumb is that the Body Corporate maintains the common property, while individual owners are responsible for the interior of their sections. However, specific items like geysers, pipes, and exterior windows have special rules.
Who is responsible for a leaking geyser?
It is the owner's responsibility to maintain, repair, and replace the geyser that serves their section. Even if the geyser is physically located on the common property (like the roof cavity or inside the walls of the section) and is insured by the Body Corporate's policy, the ongoing maintenance and the insurance excess remain the responsibility of the owner who benefits from the hot water.
Who is responsible for water pipes?
The responsibility for water pipes depends on the type of water and who it serves:
- Hot Water Pipes: The owner is responsible for the hot water installation of their section, including the geyser and the hot water pipes attached to it.
- Cold Water Pipes: If a cold water pipe only supplies your section, it is your responsibility to fix it. However, if the pipe serves more than one section, or is located on the common property, the Body Corporate is responsible for the repairs.
Who pays for leaks between units?
If water leaks from an upstairs unit into yours, dealing with the damage is generally a matter between the two owners, not the Body Corporate. Every owner is legally obliged to keep their section in a good state of repair. If you suffer damage because the owner above you failed to maintain their pipes or shower tray, you are entitled to claim the reasonable costs of your repairs from them. Result in damages are usually covered under the body corporate’s insurance policy.
Who is responsible for exterior windows and doors?
The exterior parts of walls, windows, and doors that form the boundary between your section and the common property are a shared responsibility. The STSM Act dictates that the expenses for maintaining, repairing, or replacing these boundary windows and doors should be split equally (50/50) between the owner and the Body Corporate- With exception to the working mechanism or hardware of the door which would be owners responsibility.