This article about legal disputes in bodies corporate has been supplied by Todd Garsden, Mahoneys and Tyrone Shandiman, Strata Insurance Solutions.
In Part A of a two-part series, Mahoneys Partner Todd Garsden discusses legal disputes with Tyrone Shandiman (Strata Insurance Solutions) – specifically what can they be and how strata insurance responds.
Q: What are the common legal disputes a body corporate can be drawn into?
Todd: The most common dispute bodies corporates are drawn into has always been in relation to maintenance. The dispute is not ordinarily centred around whether maintenance is required, but rather who is responsible for the maintenance.
This is not surprising as no one would generally argue with the need to keep things in good order and condition, but no one wants to bear the cost of that maintenance, particularly if they do not have an obligation to do so.
We have successfully assisted many bodies corporate in advising on various maintenance responsibilities and ensuring that lot owners meet their obligations where required. For example, very recently in Kirribilli Heights [2021] QBCCMCmr 512, we obtained orders requiring a developer to carry out significant maintenance works to 9 hectares of bushland that had not been adequately maintained for several years.
Aside from maintenance, the other most consistently common disputes relate to:
- building defects;
- management rights;
- use of the body corporate’s property by third parties (i.e. crane over swings or telecommunication land activity and access notices (LAANs));
- levy arrears; and
- by-law contraventions.
It is interesting that various disputes seem to curiously come in waves. For example, there may be a month where there are 5 LAAN disputes which arise, but then none for another 6 months. Another month building defect disputes may be more common.
Given the broad range of disputes a body corporate can be drawn into, it is important to be proactive and be guided by the advice of experienced professionals that work in the industry every day.
Q: How does strata insurance respond to those disputes?
Tyrone: The property section of a strata policy does not extend to provide cover for maintenance issues or defects.
Notwithstanding, most strata insurance policies will provide cover for legal defence expenses, in connection with litigation, for claims made against the body corporate – including those associated with maintenance issues of defects.
This can include claims before a court, disputes with the body corporate commissioner or even written or verbal advice of intent to initiate legal proceedings.
This cover is often limited to a sum insured, which in the majority of policies is $50,000, although some policies have a higher cover limit.
It is important to understand that cover is limited to defending legal claims and therefore does not extend to pursuing a dispute.
The insurer will often require the body corporate to demonstrate there are reasonable prospects of successfully defending the claim before agreeing to indemnity under the policy.
There are also policies available on the market that a body corporate can purchase in addition to strata insurance, that can provide more cover for defending a legal claim and even pursuing a legal dispute for certain events.
In Part B, Todd and Tyrone will discuss how legal disputes can impact strata insurance and how to minimise the risk.
Todd Garsden
Mahoneys
E: [email protected]
P: 07 3007 3753
Tyrone Shandiman
Strata Insurance Solutions
E: [email protected]
P: 07 3899 5129
This information is of a general nature only and neither represents nor is intended to be personal advice on any particular matter. Shandit Pty Ltd T/as Strata Insurance Solutions strongly suggests that no person should act specifically on the basis of the information in this document, but should obtain appropriate professional advice based on their own personal circumstances. Shandit Pty Ltd T/As Strata Insurance Solutions is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 404246) of Insurance Advisernet Australia AFSL No 240549, ABN 15 003 886 687.
This post appears in Strata News #534.
Have a question about legal disputes or something to add to the article? Leave a comment below.
Read next:
- QLD: Q&A Using a Strata Loan to Pay for Painting of the Complex
- QLD: Is Your Body Corporate Overcharging?
This article has been republished with permission from the author and first appeared on the Mahoneys website.
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