Dealing with the Strata

Hi Kieran

Assuming you have a strata manager, just a simple letter or fax would be helpful. Tell them the problem, as you did in your post, but a little more detail eg are the rollers on the door past it, or does it rub or jam somewhere? Anything you can identify helps them. Provide contact details for a tradesman to arrange access ie managing agent, tenant or yourself.

Regarding the balcony “sinking” they need to know if its the floor tiles, or is the slab moving, railings unsecure? This helps them identify what type of tradesman to send out. No fancy wording required.

The owners corp is responsible for maintenance of the windows, doors and balconies in most cases, unless the unit was buit pre 1967 ish, in which case it is different. It is not reasonable to expect that your windows will be replaced if the rest of the building has original windows, but if they are all bad, then the AGM is the time to discuss a major project like that.

Normally, a manager will receive a maintenance request such as yours and issue a work order to the appropriate person. You might like to wait a week and then ring to follow up and find out who you can expect to be contacted by. It is not reasonable to expect immediate contact unles it is an emergency. The tradesmen are independant contractors and arrange their appointments to suit their schedule. Most are flat out.

It is also not necessary or helpful to demand anything. The strata manager knows better than anyone what the responsibilities of the owners corp are, and will attend to matters as long as funds (or committees) permit. If, on the other hand, the building is self managed, try the above and cross your fingers!

Good luck

Wake