Frequently Asked Questions

A lot owner in a body corporate has the power to submit a motion or proposal to engage a new body corporate manager. There are 2 ways in which this cane be done:

1. Submit the motion as a lot owner – as a lot owner you can submit a motion in writing for consideration by the committee at the next general meeting. Owners are required to be invited to submit motions for annual general meetings however the owner has a right to submit a motion at any time provided it is received by the secretary prior to the body corporate’s financial year end.
2. Submit a proposal to the body corporate committee for consideration – owners have the right to submit a proposal to the committee for an alternate body corporate company to assume control. This proposal will be reviewed and put forward to the general meeting from the committee. The committee has no obligation however to include the proposal during the next general meeting.

Your Body Corporate is the collective of every lot owner. Its formation occurs when the Scheme (building or complex) was initially registered at the Titles Office. It is the legal entity that owns and is responsible for the control of the common property, generally, other than inside lot owners’ units.

Every owner becomes a “member” of the Body Corporate from the time you purchase until the time you sell your lot within the Scheme. As a member the law sets out you contribute your portion of the operating expenses (Administration Fund) and future building capital repairs (Sinking Fund). You must comply with the law and By-Laws of the Scheme.

We encourage all owners to be involved and take an interest in the affairs of your investment in your building, large or small.

Each Body Corporate offers the payment options shown on your levy notice which may include billing choices such as Bpay and StrataPay, EFT, credit cards, etc. To secure any discount or to avoid late-interest be aware some may not process the same day and may attract their transaction fee.

Legislation sets out a unit owner must keep the Body Corporate updated with their postal address recorded in the Roll of Owners. Changes to an address must be provided in writing, by letter, fax or signed email. Failure to update an address is no excuse for non-payment of contributions.
Download a Roll Update form here

Generally your Body Corporate is lawfully required to insure all the built improvements for your Scheme and have a minimum of $10 million public liability.

In the event of claim being made on the Body Corporate insurance affecting your lot, you may be responsible for the payment of any applicable excess.

The Regulations define “building” as improvements and fixtures, however, this does not cover carpets, individual air conditioners, dishwashers, clothes dryers and the like.

You should insure these items in your contents or personal policy together with public liability insurance for the inside your lot. It’s common sense owners insure contents with the same insurer as their Scheme to avoid potential gaps in coverage.

Insurance claims for vandalism or malicious damage must be reported to the police and a police report number required.

If you have upgraded your lot, you should disclose the nature and value of improvements to the Body Corporate. You may be required to pay any additional insurance premium for the increase value of your improvements. If you do not notify the Body Corporate, you may be required to meet the cost for any contribution required for replacement of those improvements under an insurance claim.

All contractors engaged by the Body Corporate or an individual owner must hold appropriate cover. Contractors are to provide a copy of a certificate of currency to the Body Corporate for their insurance prior to work commencing.

Legislation requires every Scheme to convene a General Meeting annually at which the operating budgets are adopted, contributions set and a Committee elected. A General Meeting adheres strictly to the circulated agenda. Owners may attend and vote in person OR by simply completing and returning their voting paper. Voting by paper allows you to have your say with very little effort.

Any owner may suggest an idea such as an upgrade or business item by proposing a motion for owners to vote upon.

Prior to each Annual Meeting, the Body Corporate closely examines the finances of the Scheme and determines how much money will be required to operate for the coming year. Every owner receives the recommended budgets along with full financial statements, which form part of the AGM notice, to adopt at the AGM which allows owners to have the final say.

A Committee is elected at the AGM to meet periodically to represent the whole of the Body Corporate addressing issues affecting your Scheme and its operation. Smaller buildings might not meet often, where as for a larger complex, the Committee may meet several times a year. Any owner may nominate to be on the Committee.

One of the Committee is elected Chairman whose role is solely limited to chairing the meetings. From time to time it might be decided Committee members undertake particular tasks such as obtaining work quotes for supervising an upgrade of common property, liaising with a service provider, etc.

We recommend all our client Body Corporates maintain adequate termite pest inspection and/or treatment regime. In most complexes it is the lot owners responsibility to ensure the interior (including all wall, floor and ceiling cavities) are adequately inspected and treated. Generally, a Body Corporate is not responsible for internal termite attack, treatment or repairs.

To comply with legislative requirements, we have a pre-approved panel of commercial searchers listed here.

Quantum Searches
Tel: 0412 646 410

QuicksearchQld
Tel: 07 5529 6056

Austral Credit Control
Tel: 0414 804 080

Holland Searches
Tel: 07 5520 0701

Penton Searchers
Tel: 07 5532 3599

Sun City Legal Services
Tel: 07 5495 7001