VIC: Q&A What can owners do if the self-managed OC committee refuses to communicate?

This article discusses how lot owners can address an unresponsive self-managed owners corporation committee, including applying to VCAT or appointing a strata manager.

Question: My self-managed committee refuses to communicate, send correspondence, or hold AGMs.

I own a lot in a self managed owners corporation in Melbourne. The committee has not replied to emails, sent any OC correspondence, or banked OC fees for over two weeks. They have not updated the service of documents address from the old management company or provided owners with the current committee contact details. It is impossible to communicate with any OC member, as they are all investors living off-site. The committee hasn’t sent AGM notices for years. I lodged complaints with dispute resolution, but the chair withdrew from the process. What can I do in this situation?

Answer: Make an application to the VCAT for an independent member to hear the matter.

Really, the only avenue you have left is to make an application to the VCAT for an independent member to hear the matter. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like the situation will improve unless the committee adjusts their approach.

This is a good example of why engaging a strata manager often creates a better environment in situations like this. The strata manager is independent and has obligations to comply with the Act. A Strata manager could assist with these frustrations.

Joel Chamberlain
Horizon Strata Management Group
E: joel.chamberlain@horizonstrata.com.au
P: 03 9687 7788

This post appears in Strata News #764.

Have a question or something to add to the article? Leave a comment below.

Read next:

• VIC: Q&As Holding Proxies and Majority Owners – Voting, Conflicts
• VIC: Q&A Can an owners corporation revoke a resolution?
• VIC: Q&A Roles and Responsibilities of the Owners Corporation Committee

Visit our Strata Committee Concerns OR Strata Title Information Victoria.

Looking for strata information concerning your state? For state-specific strata information, take a look here.

After a free PDF of this article? Log into your existing LookUpStrata Account to download the printable file. Not a member? Simple – join for free on our Registration page.