Was wondering, for those who lives in apartments, how does one deal with an unresponsive OC Manager.
They are so bad to the point that their last AGM held was in 2017. I am not even sure how they can continue to operate without holding any AGM.
Anything I can do within my rights?
Sounds like this guy has had 5.1 years off 😂
Apartment owner myself and on the Committee. 5 years is a long time for an AGM not to be held.
Reach out to the Committee to raise this issue officially via email so you have a record of this. Hopefully if your Committee is any good and responsive, they should give you an update.
I also believe you should be able to reach out to the OC to ask them why no meeting has been held. Again, I would recommend doing this via email so there is a record of it.
Join the Committee during an AGM or when a member leaves the committee.
Unfortunately a lot of Owners are investors and don't really keep up. If I am paying money for something, services should be rendered, no excuses.
Am i allowed to request for oc commitee details? Their email or contact details are not in the 2017 AGM. Also, can i say to the oc manager that i will report them to consumer affairs vic? Will they get fined or the owners get fined?
Yes this building has majority of investors, hence the lack of anything from what I can see.
Am i allowed to request for oc commitee details?
They should just pass on your email. But you said the OC manager is unresponsive so perhaps they aren't.
Their email or contact details are not in the 2017 AGM.
Assuming you've exhausted your options to contact the management company via email & phone call outside of Christmas holidays then attempt to contact the chairperson directly. Research via Facebook, Google, Records check (e.g. title search).
Also, can i say to the oc manager that i will report them to consumer affairs vic? Will they get fined or the owners get fined?
Probably a waste of time. Technically the Owners Corporation can be fined for not holding an AGM.
Is there an issue you are trying to get the OC to solve other than being responsive and holding an AGM? e.g. a leak into your apartment etc. If there is some other issue, best to start the process of going to VCAT.
See Consumer Affairs - Complaint handling and dispute resolution - owners corporation managers to how to start the complaints process.
thank you for the advice all. i will start with contacting the OC Committee (if there is one). If not, could i start one?
Committees are voted in by the owners at an AGM. You would have to call an AGM. I think you need to find out if there is a committee, status of AGMs etc. before you go down this road.
There doesn't seem to be an active OC from what i can see. Am i allowed to call for an AGM?
Have digged some information. Seems like the chairperson OC Committee is a principal at a law firm.
The secretary of the OC Comittee is the OC Manager! Is this even legal?
It's completely normal for the OC manager to hold the secretary function as that is essentially why you hire them. They do not have voting rights.
Basically, after each AGM, there is a new committee. Usually at the first committee meeting a chairperson, secretary, treasurer, sub-committees is voted on by the committee.
So given it appears there is a committee, as there is a chairperson, then you're best to get in contact with the chair.
Out of curiosity, how many units are in the building?
In Victoria, AGMs need to be held at least every 15 months however the onus is on the Owners Corporation and the elected committee to call one.
You need to speak to the committee and find out what's going on. I'd say join the committee however this requires an AGM.
Firing an OC management company can be done by the committee but you'll need to know if you still under contract.
EDIT: I should also say that all OC management companies & contractors who work for them tend to take a few weeks off during the December/January break. I'm assuming the lack of contact is outside of these times.