We loved this piece by Michael Ferrier, Eyeon Property Inspections via Lookupstrata.com.au on the role and importance of Strata owners committees. As representatives of strata property owners, committees perform a unique and crucial role in ensuring the smooth management and planning of a strata plan, often supported by a owners corporation (or strata) manager.
But not all strata committees manage in the best interests of other owners and residents, and most committee members don’t have a great understanding of their role, duties and expectations in terms of how they should act. It’s important to understand what committees do and how you can play a part as an owner or even tenant in some cases.
So, what exactly is a Strata Committee, and why should I bother joining
Do Strata Committee members always make decisions that are in the best interests of the Owners Corporation?
You’d think that they do.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. We have inspected thousands of properties around Sydney and have seen many cases where the Strata Committee members seem to put their own agenda ahead of the needs of the building. And in Strata Schemes, where the majority of Owners are not engaged in the day-to-day running of their community, it can be very easy to influence things.
So, what exactly is a Strata Committee?
The Strata Committee is comprised of the members or representatives of the Owners Corporation (all lot owners within the Scheme). The members are elected by the Owners Corporation at a General Meeting and are responsible for overseeing the running of the Scheme.
The Corporation also determines the number of people who can join the Committee: there can be a minimum of 1 and not more than 9 members. Large Schemes are required to have at least 3 active Committee members, and where a Scheme consists of only 2 lots the Strata Committee will be comprised of the owners of both those lots.
The Owners Corporation has the authority to dismiss members of the Strata Committee, as well as delegate some or all of the Committee’s responsibilities to a Strata Managing Agent or a Caretaker.
Read the full story at here.
Source: lookupstrata.com.au
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