Columns » Owners Corporation Law

Sign up today for solar panel grants for apartment buildings

February 26th, 2025 - Tom Bacon

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

January 28th, 2025 - Tom Bacon

The last rites of an embattled and ineffective government organisation are still playing out ... and it’s taking too long.

What to expect from the new Victorian Building & Plumbing Commission

November 27th, 2024 - Tom Bacon

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.

Owners Corporations must not sit on their hands when it comes to building defects claims

October 30th, 2024 - Tom Bacon

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.

Amendments to short-stay legislation a welcome relief to owners’ corporations

October 2nd, 2024 - Tom Bacon

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.

When buying an apartment “off the plan”, always check who the builder is too

August 28th, 2024 - Tom Bacon

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.

Victorian Building Authority a “lame duck”

July 31st, 2024 - Tom Bacon

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.

Here today, and gone tomorrow

June 25th, 2024 - Tom Bacon

More builders and developers will choose to “go bust” instead of being held accountable to owners’ corporations (OCs) for dodgy building defects.

Renewing an owners’ corporation’s policy of insurance just got harder

May 29th, 2024 - Tom Bacon

It is compulsory under the Owners’ Corporation Act 2006 for a strata building with areas of common property to have a policy of insurance for reinstatement and replacement, and must hold a policy for public liability insurance as well, for a minimum of $20 million.