- This topic has 5 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 2 years, 5 months ago by .
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We are having defect work carried out at our complex. Throughout this process communication has been appalling. Sometimes we have not been informed of work proceeding until the workers show up to begin. We have continually requested that we be given notice of impending work, we keep being told they will… however, this rarely happens.
Which brings me to today. I am currently at home recovering from surgery this week, I am uncomfortable & in a lot of pain. At 7.30 this morning without prior warning I was awoken to the jackhammering of the courtyard that sits above my apartment. The tiles need to be brought up for re- waterproofing.
We have concrete ceilings & the sound level reached over 100 decibels for several hours.
As you can imagine recuperating at home was out of the question. At short notice I had to find alternate accommodation for myself, my partner & our 2 cats. As I write this I still have ringing in my ears.
I have found out that the Strata Manager, Building Manager & SC knew from last Friday that this work would be beginning today, they had a whole 7 days to let us know, but didn’t bother. Had they let us know, I would have more than likely attempted to postpone my surgery, failing that, I would have organised alternate accommodation for myself & my pets & not had to endure several hours of noise at 100 + decibels while trying to find somewhere to stay.
I have now moved to alternate accommodation & feel that the Owners Corporation should be covering the cost as living in my apartment for the next 4 days is impossible. Our Strata Manager’s response was “Oops, sorry we didn’t tell you & you are kidding if you think the OC is going to pay for your accommodation.”
Do we have any grounds for having our accommodation paid for?
- This topic was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by .
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Nope. Sorry, sounds terrible. Payments after the fact are almost impossible. Sure sounds like poor communications from your committee and managers. You will likely find that they are not adhering to required advance notice timeframes of your State’s Act and if you can get those details in writing you might consider approaching local police as a ‘keeping the peace’ matter. They will be inclined to visit if they think someone might get punched in the nose in the interim to having the legislation dealt with. Your in-hand paperwork detailing the breach will help them try and calm the farm if they do show some interest.
I have to disagree with Flame Tree
I think if your residence has been rendered uninhabitable by work done by the Owners Corporation, then you are entitled to compensation. Send them bill for your alternative digs. Take them to the tribunal or a small claims court if they refuse to pay. This is not a police matter but there’s no reason why you should have to pay for something that benefits the whole building.
The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
Maybe check your strata insurance documents too, to see what’s covered under oc insurance, you could possibly claim the cost that way too
Maybe check your strata insurance documents too, to see what’s covered under oc insurance, you could possibly claim the cost that way too
I doubt if this is an insurable event. It’s maintenance work but the fact that the committee didn’t have the decency to warn residents it was happening suggests they don’t give a damn.
With that in mind, you can’t wait for them to approve a payment. Get alternative lodgings at a reasonable cost and hit them with the bill.
The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
Ah. I wasn’t sure what was meant by defect work. If the work itself was being paid for by insurance then alternative accommodation during works might have been possible.
It sounds terrible, especially with no notice.
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