Can Owners Participate in Body Corporate Committee Meetings?
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Yes, owners can participate in body corporate committee meetings, but only in a limited way.
If you are not an elected committee member, you can usually attend body corporate committee meetings as an observer. However, you cannot vote and do not have automatic rights to speak unless invited to by the committee.
Can Non-Committee Owners Attend Body Corporate Committee Meetings?
Yes. In most body corporate schemes, owners who are not members of the committee can attend committee meetings as observers. To do so, they must provide the secretary with at least 24 hours’ written notice before the meeting.
Certain committee matters cannot be observed, including discussions or decisions relating to disputes. When these matters arise, any owners attending the meeting as observers must leave the room and may return once the discussion has concluded.
Although the committee’s decision must still be recorded in the meeting minutes, the discussion itself is conducted in private. This allows committee members to consider the issues openly, exchange views freely, and work towards a resolution without external influence. Transparency is still maintained through the published record of the decision.
As an owner, you can:
- Observe discussions about body corporate matters
- Stay informed about decisions affecting your building
- Gain insight into how the committee manages the scheme
Can Owners Speak at Body Corporate Committee Meetings?
Owners may only speak at a body corporate committee meeting if invited to do so. It’s quite common for a committee to ask the observing owners for their opinion, but owners cannot interrupt the committee discussion.
Can Owners Vote at Body Corporate Committee Meetings?
No. Only elected members of the body corporate committee can vote on motions at committee meetings.
If a decision requires a vote from all owners, it must be decided at a body corporate general meeting, where all lot owners can participate.
How Can Owners Raise Issues at a Body Corporate Committee Meeting?
Owners can submit up to 6 motions to the committee each year for the committee to decide on. This process is very similar to how owners can submit a motion to the annual general meeting (AGM).
If you have a proposal that is at the ‘idea’ stage and not yet ready for a formal motion, this can be submitted to the committee by email at any time, and the committee can choose whether or not to discuss.
What Are the Responsibilities of Owners Attending Committee Meetings?
When attending a body corporate committee meeting, owners should:
- Respect the meeting structure and agenda
- Avoid interrupting committee discussions
- Only speak when invited
- Keep comments relevant and concise
In Summary
Owners can attend body corporate committee meetings and stay informed, but they cannot vote and may only speak with permission.
The most effective way to participate in a body corporate is to raise issues in advance and engage through the proper processes.
Committee Meetings FAQ
Can owners attend body corporate committee meetings?
Yes, owners can usually attend as observers, even if they are not on the committee.
Can owners speak at body corporate committee meetings?
Only with permission from the chairperson or committee.
Do owners have voting rights at committee meetings?
No, only elected body corporate committee members can vote.
Where do all owners get to vote?
At body corporate general meetings.
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