One of the contentions is who owns the strata roll and who can see it? Also, how can it be seen?
There is no doubt that the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 provides that the strata roll is the property of the Owners Corporation. Considering that each lot owner has a share in the common property and is a member of the Owners Corporation, the lot owner is a share holder in the strata roll.
The strata roll forms part of the strata registry. The strata register can be viewed by any lot owner. It is not to be emailed to any lot owner, but can be viewed and copied
If a lot owner wishes to view the strata roll, the following rules apply:-
- The request for access to the strata roll must be in writing;
- The strata roll can only be viewed during the normal working hours of 9am to 5pm;
- The lot owner must pay a fee for photocopying; and
- Copies can be made but the Strata Manager cannot be required to email the strata roll to any lot owner, even if that lot owner is part of the strata committee.
Too many Strata Managers and Strata Committees think the lot owner is not entitled to see the strata roll. Alternatively, lot owners think its free to be posted or emailed. Both assumptions are wrong.
Thanks for that article. My view is that, if owners are entitled to inspect and copy the roll, there is no adequate reason for a strata manager not to email the roll to an owner (without email or phone numbers that are not technically part of the roll).
We all know that a request for a copy of the roll is usually a sign that something is not right and, at least one owner may try to remove the strata manager.
My view is that instead of being defensive, we should try to resolve the basic problem, and, if that is not possible, let them go to the next manager at the end of the contract in a professional and helpful way. If we hope for co-operation from managers handing over a strata plan, let us all treat managers receiving one of our plans with respect and co-operation.