Committee advice
When to Bring in Expert Advice: A Guide for Body Corporate Committees
Recognising when a decision calls for expert advice is part of making sound, well-informed decisions on behalf of the community.
14 Jul 26
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Many body corporate developments have retaining walls. Unlike a fence that sits on top of the land and acts as a visual and pedestrian barrier, a retaining wall’s purpose is to adjust the levels of the land and usually to flatten the development area.
In this article, complementing our recent feature on dividing fences, we look at who is responsible for the repair or replacement of a retaining wall, and how body corporate committees can manage the process within their schemes.
In this article, complementing our recent feature on dividing fences, we look at who is responsible for the repair or replacement of a retaining wall, and how body corporate committees can manage the process within their schemes.
Who is responsible for retaining wall repairs?
A retaining wall is a built structure which retains land on one side.
They are more commonly used to make uneven land flat and usable, but unlike fences, have a structural function, making them more complex and often expensive to construct and repair. This leads to the question – who is responsible to repair or replace a retaining wall?
They are more commonly used to make uneven land flat and usable, but unlike fences, have a structural function, making them more complex and often expensive to construct and repair. This leads to the question – who is responsible to repair or replace a retaining wall?
Is the retaining wall on the boundary (or practically on the boundary) of two different landowners?
- NO – It is the responsibility of the single owner
- YES – Move to next question
- YES – If one side of the wall is the natural ground level, the owner of the other side of the wall is generally responsible for the cost
- NO – The wall is likely the shared cost responsibility of both sides.
The principles of natural ground level
In this diagram, house 1 has filled their land above the natural ground level, therefore the black retaining wall is theirs. As it is retaining land for the benefit of house 1, it is the responsibility of house 1 to maintain.
In this diagram, house 2 has excavated their land below the natural ground level, therefore the black retaining wall is theirs. As retaining the higher land is for the benefit of house 2 it is the responsibility of house 2 to maintain.
In this diagram, both sides of the retaining wall have adjusted the natural land.
The sharing proportions will generally follow the same proportion as the cut and fill. In the above example, both the filling and excavation are roughly equal in relation to the retaining wall, so repair or replacement of the wall should be shared in roughly equal proportions.
- House 1 has filled their side of the wall above natural ground level
- House 2 has excavated their land below the natural ground level
The sharing proportions will generally follow the same proportion as the cut and fill. In the above example, both the filling and excavation are roughly equal in relation to the retaining wall, so repair or replacement of the wall should be shared in roughly equal proportions.
Establishing natural ground level in a development
Our diagrams make it easy to determine who is responsible for the repair or replacement of a retaining wall. In reality however, knowing who has altered the natural ground level is not always as clear cut, especially if both properties have undertaken extensive construction and landscaping to the site as part of the building process.
The easiest way to ascertain natural ground level is through the original building plans, as they will often show what areas have been excavated or filled. Sometimes this information is obvious, otherwise it may need to be interpreted and explained by a surveyor.
If the construction plans are not available or are not detailed, another option is a soil test. Typically, any fill soil used to raise land will have a different composition to the existing ground soil, which may be revealed by a professional soil test.
Another option is to find close-by examples of the natural ground. If one side of the retaining wall is undeveloped land, like a park, nature reserve, or creek bed, then it is often safe to presume this land represents the natural ground level.
The easiest way to ascertain natural ground level is through the original building plans, as they will often show what areas have been excavated or filled. Sometimes this information is obvious, otherwise it may need to be interpreted and explained by a surveyor.
If the construction plans are not available or are not detailed, another option is a soil test. Typically, any fill soil used to raise land will have a different composition to the existing ground soil, which may be revealed by a professional soil test.
Another option is to find close-by examples of the natural ground. If one side of the retaining wall is undeveloped land, like a park, nature reserve, or creek bed, then it is often safe to presume this land represents the natural ground level.
Fences on top of retaining walls
It is common to see a retaining wall with a fence erected on top, either for safety, or as a dividing boundary between two properties.
If a fence on top of a retaining wall also needs repair or replacement, the rules for cost-sharing on are normal and follow the ‘fence principles’, regardless of the responsibilities of the retaining wall. Refer to our recent feature article on fences. Quite often, the responsibility for the fence is different to the retaining wall underneath it.
If a fence on top of a retaining wall also needs repair or replacement, the rules for cost-sharing on are normal and follow the ‘fence principles’, regardless of the responsibilities of the retaining wall. Refer to our recent feature article on fences. Quite often, the responsibility for the fence is different to the retaining wall underneath it.
Responsibility for retaining walls in body corporate schemes
External perimeter retaining walls
If the body corporate is subdivided by building format plan, a retaining wall on the outside perimeter of the scheme will often be partly or wholly the responsibility of the body corporate.
If the body corporate is subdivided by standard format plan, the body corporate is only responsible for a retaining wall which is located on the common property area. If a retaining wall is located within one of the standard format plan lots (e.g. in a back yard), it will generally be the responsibility of that individual lot owner.
This is because under a standard format plan, the owner of each lot owns the parcel of land, and has generally similar responsibilities to a freestanding house owner.
Retaining walls between 2 lots or a lot and common property
The responsibilities for ‘internal’ retaining walls – between two lots, or between a lot and the common property, may involve the body corproate. This will depend on the natural ground level principles, and also will depend on whether the scheme is a building format plan or standard format plan.
If your body corporate is built on sloping land, it is likely that there will be several retaining walls throughout the development. Depending on how the plans are arranged, the responsibility for the retaining walls may be different, even within the same development. Some walls may be the responsibility of the body corporate, and others the responsibility of the lot owner.
Legal advice about retaining walls
Retaining walls are often costly to repair or replace when engineering, excavation and access constraints are involved. When this is the case, it is advisable the body corporate seek legal advice about the retaining wall responsibility before commencing any work.
How to make the decision to proceed
Like any project a body corporate undertakes, the repair or replacement of a retaining wall is subject to spending rules.
After confirming the responsibility of cost, the committee can seek quotes to calculate the total spending required by the body corporate to complete the work.
This cost should be considered against the committee, major, and improvement spending limits to ascertain what level of approval is required to proceed.
If a retaining wall is deemed to be the responsibility of one or more lot owners, the lot owners may still require approval from the body corporate before arranging the work.
After confirming the responsibility of cost, the committee can seek quotes to calculate the total spending required by the body corporate to complete the work.
This cost should be considered against the committee, major, and improvement spending limits to ascertain what level of approval is required to proceed.
If a retaining wall is deemed to be the responsibility of one or more lot owners, the lot owners may still require approval from the body corporate before arranging the work.
Dealing with neighbours on a shared retaining wall
If the body corporate shares part or all of a retaining wall with a neighbour, and is entitled to a financial contribution from that neighbour, it is up to both parties to mutually agree on the repair or replacement plan, and the method of cost-sharing.
Unlike boundary fences, there are no government forms or simple guidance when it comes to retaining walls. We recommend the committee take a consultative approach and, if possible, speak directly with the owners of the neighbouring land. Together you can view the retaining wall and its condition and discuss the best course of action.
Unlike boundary fences, there are no government forms or simple guidance when it comes to retaining walls. We recommend the committee take a consultative approach and, if possible, speak directly with the owners of the neighbouring land. Together you can view the retaining wall and its condition and discuss the best course of action.
Responding to a retaining wall notice from a neighbour
If the body corporate receives a letter from a neighbour asserting it is responsible for a retaining wall, the matter should be thoroughly investigated before any response is made. This will generally require the advice of a solicitor.
It is often incorrectly assumed that the neighbour on the high side of the wall is responsible for all costs, however as discussed earlier, this is not always correct. It is important the body corporate carry out its own due diligence on any retaining wall claims, before indicating agreement, or releasing funds.
It is often incorrectly assumed that the neighbour on the high side of the wall is responsible for all costs, however as discussed earlier, this is not always correct. It is important the body corporate carry out its own due diligence on any retaining wall claims, before indicating agreement, or releasing funds.
When there is no neighbour to contribute
Generally, no neighbour contribution is available when the retaining wall adjoins public land, including nature reserves, council footpaths, major roads and council parks.
If the committee is unsure about the ownership of neighbouring land, title searches can be undertaken for a relatively low cost by BCsystems.
If the committee is unsure about the ownership of neighbouring land, title searches can be undertaken for a relatively low cost by BCsystems.
Summary
Retaining walls may on the surface seem similar to fences, but they are significantly more complicated and costly. Our advice, if faced with a retaining wall repair or replacement, is to discuss the issue with your strata manager prior to making any decisions, and be prepared to invest in expert assistance, including engineers, surveyors and lawyers.
An incorrect decision, if the proper advice is not obtained in advance, can cause costly implications to the lot owners, body corporate and can delay important repairs and replacement projects.
An incorrect decision, if the proper advice is not obtained in advance, can cause costly implications to the lot owners, body corporate and can delay important repairs and replacement projects.
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