Bligh Government to make body corporate fees fairer
March 10th, 2010
The State Government will this year change the way body corporate fees are decided for Queensland’s more than 350,000 unit owners.
“The Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 will be changed so there is a better and fairer system for working out shared costs associated with living in an apartment complex or other community titles scheme,” he said.
“This is a much needed change. The Act has had a loophole which unfairly allowed some unit owners to get away with paying less than their fair share of body corporate fees at the expense of others.
“The present law means that in setting or adjusting body corporate contribution lot entitlements all lot entitlements should be equal, except to the extent that is just and equitable in the c ircumstances for them not to be equal.
“We’re putting a stop to this and changing the law so it’s fairer for everyone all round.”
Mr Lawlor said since the Act was introduced in 1997, lot owners could apply to have their lot entitlements – and thus body corporate fees – reduced at any time.
“It’s important we adopt the most appropriate rules as they underpin the growth of apartment living in Queensland, which more people are turning to each year and which is needed to cater for our rapidly growing population.”
Once passed in parliament, the new rules could be effective later on in 2010.