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Renovations, repairs and maintenance

renovations, repairs & maintenance

Living in a body corporate community means not all works to a property are treated the same way. Whether you are replacing a broken fitting, upgrading your bathroom, or arranging regular servicing, it’s important to understand whether the work is considered a repair, renovation, or maintenance task. Each category has different rules around approval, responsibility, and cost.

A key part of this process is knowing the boundaries between your lot and the body corporate’s common property.

These boundaries are shown on your scheme’s survey plan, which helps determine whether the body corporate or the lot owner is responsible for particular works. Insurance obligations and by-laws also play a role, further shaping what approvals are required and who must arrange or pay for the work.

This guide sets out the distinctions between repairs, renovations, and maintenance, and explains how each is managed within a body corporate scheme. By understanding these differences, owners can ensure they remain compliant, avoid unnecessary disputes, and protect both their property and the wider community.

renovations

Renovations go beyond simply fixing or maintaining. They involve changing, upgrading, or improving part of a lot or the building. Because renovations can impact the property’s structure, appearance, or shared services, they are often subject to stricter requirements than basic repairs or maintenance.

In a body corporate setting, renovations usually require formal approval before works can begin. The level of approval needed depends on the type of renovation, its potential impact on common property, and the scheme’s by-laws.

Understanding the distinction between what you can do within your lot and where body corporate approval is needed is essential. Owners should always review their by-laws, survey plan, and seek written consent where required to ensure renovations are compliant.

maintenance

Maintenance is ongoing or preventative work that keeps the property in good condition and prevents deterioration. While the body corporate is generally responsible for the upkeep of buildings, common areas, and shared facilities, lot owners are responsible for maintaining their individual lots.

These responsibilities are not optional. Under the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997, both the body corporate and lot owners are legally required to maintain their respective areas.

The body corporate must ensure common property and shared facilities are safe, functional, and well-maintained, while lot owners must keep their lots, including gardens, internal fixtures, and pest control, in good condition.

repairs

Repairs are the most straightforward type of work. They involve restoring something that is broken, damaged, or no longer functioning as it should. Unlike renovations – which change or improve, or maintenance – which is preventative, repairs are reactive works that return an item to its original working condition.

Examples of repairs include:

Replacing a broken roof tile.
Repairing a faulty lift.
Fixing damaged gutters.

Who is responsible?
Responsibility for repairs depends on where the issue occurs. If the damage is within an individual lot, the lot owner is generally responsible. If the damage is on common property, the body corporate must arrange and pay for the repairs.

Clear understanding of lot boundaries, as shown on the scheme’s survey plan, is essential for determining this responsibility.

resources

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Jan27