Body Corporate Domination

[Deactivated] on 27/05/2014 - 20:52

I live in an apartment complex with approximately 200 residents in the state of Queensland.

One member on the Body Corporate owns around 20 of the apartments himself, and is on the Committee himself. When he votes, he is allowed 20 votes at once due to owning that many lots. Due to general lack of interest from the remaining owners he always seems to dominate a vote. I often disagree with his choice.

Does anyone know if this voting method is legal? Who can I escalate or raise the issue with? I couldn't afford a lawyer.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 27/05/2014 - 20:59
    +3

    U will need to obtain other unit holders to novate their voting powers to u…"proxy vote"…or else, can't do anything…every unit holder of an OC is entitled to vote once for every matter brought forward for resolution. Also make sure u r in the committee, so ur voice is heard. End of the day, it's a numbers game….u don't have the votes, u lose. Simple as that - unless u can prove a motion is not in the best interest of the unit holders.

  • orourke on 27/05/2014 - 23:29

    The guy owns about 10% of the entire complex, of course he is going to have a lot of say in what's going on in the owners corporation. If he only had the equivalent voting rights of owning one unit, he would be able to be held ransom by a small minority of other owners.

    If you do not agree with his voting, as the guy above says, get other owners involved and attending the meetings or get their proxy votes.

  • [Deactivated] on 28/05/2014 - 08:58

    Unfortunately a significant amount of owners are investors who do not actually live in the apartment block, renting out their dwelling to others. The owners rarely attend meetings, and this makes it very difficult to catch them for a chat.

  • niknah on 05/06/2014 - 11:25

    Not getting enough votes is very common with body corporates.

    Contact the remaining 179 apartment owners, explain to them the situation and what you would do with their vote and get them to sign a proxy form. It's a lot cheaper than doing anything with the courts.
    No one ever contacts me for my vote, except when they tell me that if I didn't sign the proxy form they wouldn't have enough votes for a quorum.

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