Discover essential posts and files for effective Body Corporate management. Explore valuable insights on governance, legal compliance, finance, and community engagement. Access expert advice and practical resources to enhance your Owners Corporation. Stay informed and foster a thriving community with our carefully curated content.
Beveridge vs Integrated Construction Management (Building and Property) [2020] VCAT 1073
Background In late 2013, Mr John Beveridge (‘Beveridge’) purchased an apartment in Fitzroy North from Prudentia Avitas Pty Ltd (‘Prudentia’), the developer and builder of the apartment complex. Integrated Construction Management Pty Ltd (‘ICM’) had been engaged as a construction manager for the apartment complex’s construction and the subsequent defects liability period. In 2016, Prudentia was deregistered. Shortly after purchasing…
The Cladding Safety Victoria Bill 2020 Provides Owners Relief but Set to Retrospectively Increase the Building Industry’s Liability
The Victorian Parliament has recently introduced a bill to establish a new governing body to oversee the cladding rectification program for residential and public buildings. This bill also aims to retrospectively amend the Building Act 1993 to extend the limitation period and bring an action against building practitioners from 10 years post-occupancy permit to 12 years where that action is…
Should We Audit Our Body Corporate in Victoria?
“Should we audit our body corporate in Victoria?” is a question that we are regularly asked by strata Committees here at Change Body Corporate. Yes, in Victoria, deemed prescribed bodies corporate, among other things, need to have their accounts audited annually. However, if they aren’t prescribed, they are not required to have their accounts audited…
EXTENSION FOR VICTORIANS SEEKING CLADDING COST CLAIMS
Under legislation being introduced to the Victorian Parliament today, Victorians will be given an extra two years to pursue legal action against builders responsible for installing combustible cladding on their homes. The Cladding Safety Victoria Bill will give homeowners more opportunity to recover the cost of removing the combustible cladding by increasing the time limit on compensation claims from 10…
Benefit Principle of the Owners Corporation Act
Further Resources for Owners Corporations (Victoria) The Perils of Applying the ‘Benefit Principle’ Under the Owners Corporation Act Fees – owners corporations …
Cheaper energy bills coming to Victorians living in apartments
Good news! If you live in Victoria and your energy is supplied through an embedded network—like in some apartments, caravan parks, or retirement villages—you can expect cheaper energy bills. Thanks to reforms made by the Victorian government back in 2019, a new price cap is being introduced. From 1 September 2020, the…
Strata Managers Maximising Owner Engagement in the Digital Age
The role of strata managers in Australia has transformed significantly. While the COVID-19 pandemic may be receding, it accelerated trends that have reshaped how bodies corporate operate and how strata managers deliver their services. This article explores the key considerations for strata managers leading their communities in this new era of body corporate management. General Meetings: Embracing Flexibility and Choice…
The Latest Management Rights Termination Battle
The Background Law can be a very dry occupation. As long as you are not on the receiving end of them, some of the lines in legal judgements can be somewhat amusing. One of the best judgments in recent times was the striking out of the bulk of Mark Latham’s defamation defence, but the judgement in…
Embedded Networks Victoria: Are You Overpaying for Electricity?
Victorian Apartment Owners Stuck in Costly Embedded Networks A new study by the Victoria Energy Policy Centre has found that customers in apartment buildings in Victoria on embedded networks are paying up to $439 a year more than the best deal they could get if they were able to access the free market. Put another way, the study, which was…
Cladding Rectification Victoria: What Body Corporates Need to Know
Article contributed by James Collier, Partner – Moray and Agnew Lawyers Victorian Building Amendment (Cladding Rectification) Bill 2019: A Closer Look The Victorian Legislative Assembly recently introduced the Building Amendment (Cladding Rectification) Bill 2019 to address the ongoing cladding crisis. This Bill has three main objectives: 1. Expanding the Victorian Building Authority’s Role:…