Latest articles by Tom Bacon
Delay in the release of new draft owners’ corporation legislation now cause for concern
It has now been six months since the private consultancy acting on behalf of Consumer Affairs Victoria and the Expert Panel leading an inquiry into the owners’ corporation legislation delivered its final report and recommendations to Parliament.
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Why it pays to grant access to private apartments to the owners’ corporation
Lot owners and tenants need to be aware that an owners’ corporation (OC) has a lawful right to serve a notice to gain entry to private apartments, in order to carry out repairs, maintenance and other remedial works.
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Victoria’s Building and Plumbing Commission set to get a new stronger set of teeth
In past columns, I have been critical of the newly renamed and reforged Victorian Building & Plumbing Commission (BPC).
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New and amended legislation for owners’ corporations? Not anytime soon
It’s been three months since the expert panel appointed by the Victorian Labor Government finalised and provided its report to parliament in relation to the effectiveness of the current legislation, and any recommendations for amendments and new laws.
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Court ruling strengthens owners’ corporation rights to pursue building defect claims
In a recent County Court case, Judge Kirton published a decision confirming the rights of an owners’ corporation (OC) in Fitzroy to file a claim for the remediation of building defects and the removal of combustible cladding, without being required to having to guarantee the builder’s security for costs if it were to lose the eventual hearing.
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Time to get organised, apartment owners of Melbourne
The number of people living in owners’ corporations (OC) in metropolitan Melbourne are,t unsurprisingly, soaring to new heights. It is reported that nine out of 10 residents in the City of Melbourne local government area live in an OC.
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Don’t expect the government to rescue OCs in the next legislative review
All stakeholder feedback and public consultation has now been completed, and the Expert Panel appointed by the Victorian Government to oversee a review of the Owners Corporations and Other Acts Amendment Act 2021 is due to table their report to Parliament by December 1.
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Proposed Owners’ Corporation Act reforms need to move quickly
Melbourne is a world-class city. It hosts big international sporting and cultural events. It has a bustling tourism industry, excellent shopping and award-winning cuisine, late-night cocktail and whisky bars, theatres and a thriving CBD.
Read MoreWhy it pays to grant access to private apartments to the owners’ corporation
Lot owners and tenants need to be aware that an owners’ corporation has a lawful right to serve a notice to gain entry to private apartments, in order to carry out repairs, maintenance and other remedial works.
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Mere disturbance of the peace not nearly enough for damages claim in VCAT
A bitterly fought VCAT case has concluded, where a lot owner residing in her unit was found to have breached the rules of the owners’ corporation (OC) by engaging in acts of screaming, yelling, wailing and thumping for extended periods of time.
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Overdue levies are reaching tipping point
During the COVID pandemic, the Victorian Government introduced certain legislation that would have the effect of providing relief to those who could not pay their debts on time.
Read MoreNew legislation to protect owners’ corporations and homeowners slammed by builders’ association
In a move that would surprise no-one at all, both the Master Builders Victoria (MBV) and Housing Industry Association (HIA) have issued a united rejection of the Victorian Government’s proposed new building dispute resolution legislation, describing it as “unfair and unworkable”.
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Sign up today for solar panel grants for apartment buildings
If you live in an owners’ corporation (OC) with between three to 50 residential units, your building can sign up for a grant of up to $140,000 to fund the installation of solar panels on the building’s rooftop.
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Victorian Building Authority dismantling drags on
The last rites of an embattled and ineffective government organisation are still playing out ... and it’s taking too long.
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What to expect from the new Victorian Building & Plumbing Commission
An independent review that exposed serious failures in how the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) handled complaints from homeowners facing years of financial distress over defective or homes was the final straw for the State Government.
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Owners Corporations must not sit on their hands when it comes to building defects claims
There are strict time limitation periods in Victoria’s building laws, which require owners of buildings to file their claims at VCAT or in the Courts promptly.
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Amendments to short-stay legislation a welcome relief to owners’ corporations
The government’s stunning decision to empower owners’ corporations (OCs) to choose for themselves about whether to permit short-term letting in their buildings is a game-changer for owner occupiers and tenants alike across Melbourne.
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When buying an apartment “off the plan”, always check who the builder is too
With news hitting the public domain almost every other week about a prominent building company going into administration, many in the construction industry are now bracing for a ripple effect of smaller contractors and sub-contractors also pulling the plug.
Read MoreVictorian Building Authority a “lame duck”
Following the Victorian Planning Minister’s decision to dissolve the Victorian Building Authority’s (VBA) board back in March of this year, there is still no announcement on the future and direction of the embattled government department.
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Here today, and gone tomorrow
More builders and developers will choose to “go bust” instead of being held accountable to owners’ corporations (OCs) for dodgy building defects.
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