View all alerts — Owners Corporation Network ACT

Alerts

From time to time, the OCN identifies various concerns that arise in the day to day life in a unit plan. Some of these merit being publicised so that members can avoid pitfalls that have entrapped others. Some arise from reported shortfalls in managerial or Owners Corporation execution of function. Others impart knowledge potentially useful to committees or individual members. Please forward your contributions to president@ocn.org.au.

Managing Risks Associated with Lithium Ion Batteries

Many modern electric devices are powered by Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) batteries - from eBikes and eScooters to mobile phones and other household appliances. Fire authorities and insurance companies have issued warnings that if Lithium-Ion batteries are poorly manufactured, or are handled, stored, charged, discharged or disposed of incorrectly, they can catch fire or explode.

Read more about the risks and how best to mitigate them here, or download a more concise poster on the subject (for display in lifts etc) here.

Further amendments to the Unit Titles (Management) Act

The ACT Government has tabled a bill making amendments to among other Acts affecting owners corporations the Unit Titles (Management) Act and the Unit Titles Act. See Unit Titles Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 | Bills (act.gov.au)

The amendments to the UT(M)A include:

Allowing OCs to sublet areas of common property for up to 5 years by special resolution
Allowing existing OCs to adopt Building Management Statement
Allowing an OC to exempt itself from insurance on an ongoing basis by the adoption of a rule
Clarifying the basis on which an OC is required to undertake an annual audit.

Find the Presentation Speech here.

Minimum energy efficiency standards for rental homes

A regulation establishing a new minimum energy efficiency standard for ceiling insulation in rental homes commenced on 1 April 2023.