What To Do If You Discover a Building Defect in a Strata Property

Discovering a building defect in your apartment or common property can be concerning for owners and residents. Whether it’s a water leak, cracking walls, faulty waterproofing or issues with balconies or windows, defects can impact both the safety of the building and the value of the property.

Understanding how to identify, report and manage building defects is important for owners corporations, particularly in newer buildings where builder warranties may still apply.

Here is what you need to know.

Identifying and Reporting Building Defects

Building defects can appear in many forms and may occur in both individual lots and common property. Common examples include:

• Water leaks or waterproofing failures

• Cracking in walls or ceilings

• Balcony or façade issues

• Faulty plumbing or drainage

• Structural concerns

• Poor workmanship or finishing

If a defect is identified, it should be reported as soon as possible. Owners should notify either the strata committee or the strata manager so the issue can be recorded and investigated.

Early reporting is important because defects can worsen over time and may affect multiple lots or areas of the building.

The strata manager can then assist by arranging inspections, documenting the issue and advising the owners corporation on the next steps.

Understanding Builder Warranty Periods

For newer buildings in NSW, the Home Building Act provides statutory warranty periods for building work carried out by licensed builders.

Generally, the warranty periods are:

• 6 years for major structural defects

• 2 years for non-major defects

Major defects typically relate to structural issues that impact the building’s stability or safety, such as defects in the foundations, load-bearing walls, roofing or waterproofing systems.

Non-major defects may include issues such as minor cracking, defective fittings or finishing problems.

If a defect appears within these warranty periods, the owners corporation may be able to require the builder or developer to rectify the issue.

Because these timeframes are strict, it is important that any defects are investigated and addressed as early as possible.

The Role of the Strata Manager

Strata managers play an important role in assisting owners corporations to manage building defects.

Their responsibilities typically include:

• Recording and documenting defect reports

• Coordinating inspections with building consultants or engineers

• Advising the strata committee on warranty timeframes and obligations

• Communicating with builders, developers or contractors

• Assisting the owners corporation with defect claims or rectification processes

In many cases, strata managers will also work alongside specialist consultants such as building inspectors, engineers or defect experts to properly assess the issue and determine the appropriate course of action.

This coordinated approach helps ensure defects are identified, documented and resolved efficiently.

Why Early Action Matters

Building defects should never be ignored. Even seemingly minor issues can develop into larger and more costly problems if they are left unresolved.

Taking early action helps:

• Protect the structural integrity of the building

• Avoid costly repairs in the future

• Ensure builders are held accountable within warranty periods

• Maintain the value of the property for owners

By reporting issues early and working with your strata manager, owners corporations can ensure building defects are addressed promptly and professionally.

Need Help Managing a Building Issue?

Navigating building defects can be complex, particularly when dealing with warranty periods, builders and multiple owners.

The team at Centric Strata can assist owners corporations and committees in managing building defects, coordinating inspections and ensuring the appropriate steps are taken to protect your building.

If you have any questions about defect reporting or building maintenance in your strata scheme, feel free to contact our team.