Who is responsible for repairs?

Generally speaking, the Owners Corporation is responsible for the repair and maintenance of all common property within the strata scheme. 

The common property boundaries of each lot are generally formed by:

• The upper surface of the floor (but not including the carpet);

• The under surface of the ceiling; and

• All external or boundary walls (including doors and windows).

Common property generally includes:

• Floors;

• Boundary walls including any door, window or other structure within the wall and their working parts;

• Ceramic tiles originally attached to a common property surface;

• Pipes or electrical wiring in the common property or servicing more than one lot;

• Original parquet and floor boards;

• Vermiculite ceilings, plaster ceilings and cornices; and

• Balcony walls and doors are usually common property if the strata plan was registered after 1 July 1974.
   

With the exclusion of structural cubic air space (such as a supporting column of a high rise building) anything inside the common property boundaries forms part of the  air space of the lot as defined in the registered strata plan. Anything inside the air space of the lot is the responsibility of the lot owner.  

The Strata Community Australia (New South Wales) have produced a guide to common property to help determine who is responsible. 

Click here to view the Who’s Responsible guide.

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