The building manager
Looks after the common property day to day: cleaning, bins, access for tradespeople, maintenance and repairs.
What to know
- Appointed by majority vote at a general meeting, in writing. The agreement can run for up to 10 years.
- Must act in the owners corporation's best interest and promptly report maintenance, repair and safety issues they know of or ought to know of, with solutions.
- Must disclose in writing any benefit from a contract they suggest, and any connection to suppliers, the developer, or a financial interest in the scheme.
- Can't be on the committee, and can't use a proxy to vote on their own appointment or fees.
- A tradesperson who only does specific repairs is not a building manager.
When things go wrong
The building manager recommends a contractor and you suspect a connection.
Ask in writing whether they receive any benefit or have any connection. They must disclose it in writing; if they didn't, raise it with the committee.