This article discusses who is responsible for QLD electrical upgrades when a lot owner installs new fixtures like ceiling fans.
Question: In QLD, who pays for electrical upgrades of a unit’s switchboard if an owner wants to install ceiling fans?
I live in a complex of eight units and want to install ceiling fans in my apartment. The electrician advised that I need to upgrade my switchboard to include a safety switch and single pole circuit breaker before he can install fans. Are electrical upgrades my responsibility as the lot owner, or are they covered by the body corporate?
Answer: It may sound simple, but if your electrical setup is old, minor adjustments can often have knock-on effects.
The switchboard is usually a body corporate responsibility. If changes are required, they need to be authorised by the body corporate.
As an owner, you need to make an application to change the common property. Submit your quote along with your proposal.
As this change benefits your lot only, expect that if the body corporate grants approval, it would be on the basis that you pay the costs.
An alternative could be to suggest an upgrade for the whole switchboard. This would be at body corporate cost and would benefit all owners. You could get a quote for this or ask the committee to get one.
One consideration for the committee in approving an application for your lot only would be whether giving any extra capacity to your lot would restrict the possibility of giving the same capacity to other lots. Requests like this often seem simple on the surface, but if your electrical setup is old, minor adjustments can often have knock-on effects. Any application you make should consider this.
William Marquand Tower Body Corporate E: willmarquand@towerbodycorporate.com.au P: 07 5609 4924
This post appears in the December 2025 edition of The QLD Strata Magazine.
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