Law, insurance & compliance · 1 min read
Strata mould: who is responsible, and how disputes stall
Where the line between common property and lot owner usually falls, why arguments about it are expensive, and what evidence resolves them.
Strata mould disputes rarely turn on whether mould exists. They turn on who pays, and they can stall for months while the mould keeps growing.
Where the line usually falls
Mould traced to common property — roof and façade leaks, shared plumbing, common-area ventilation, building fabric — is generally the owners corporation’s responsibility. Mould originating inside a lot from the owner’s fixtures or the occupant’s use is generally theirs. The difficulty is that many cases involve both: a common-property leak that has affected lot-owner finishes.
Why disputes cost more than the treatment
While responsibility is argued, nothing is treated. The affected area grows, more lots become involved, and what began as a single treatment becomes a remediation. Meanwhile the committee is exposed to complaints and, if occupants are affected, potential claims.
What actually resolves it
An independent assessment that documents the moisture source, the affected areas across both common and lot property, and the treatment each requires. It gives the committee, the strata manager and the insurer a shared factual basis, which is usually enough to unblock the decision.
General information only, not legal advice. Strata legislation varies by state.