Review of the Unit Titles Act 1972 - Discussion Document, May 2006
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5.6 Improving information and education services
Unit title developments are different from other properties, and people need to understand these differences.
The proposals in this section cover the role of a central government agency in offering information and access to information.
Issues
Many people who buy a unit title property don't know much about the body corporate, their relationship to it and their rights and responsibilities as a unit owner.
Some owners don't seem to know that they should try to get involved in body corporate affairs. They don't realise they need to get involved if they want to have a say in what happens.
Some problems are probably caused by a lack of understanding rather than by the nature and structure of unit title developments themselves.
At present, no one is responsible for giving information and general advice to people who are thinking of buying a unit title property, people involved with unit developments or to the general public.
| A central government agency will be responsible for providing information and helping people find information they need. This proposal is subject to government approval and funding. |
| The agency will help inform people about living and working in a unit title development and the rights, responsibilities and relationships involved. They will help make sure prospective buyers have access to information from developers, solicitors, real estate agents and local authorities. |
| The agency will be the first tier in the proposed dispute resolution process (see P78–P79). |
| The agency will work with others in the sector. It will monitor what’s happening, what trends are developing and whether the laws and regulations are working. |
| The agency will monitor and enforce the compulsory disclosure rules proposed (see P67–P77). It will hold a public register of bodies corporate. |
| The agency will produce a ‘plain English’ guide to the new unit titles legislation. It will form part of a comprehensive and coordinated education programme to support the introduction of the new Act. |
Effect of proposals
Information will be produced and distributed by a central agency.
People will know more about unit title developments. It will help people make informed choices. It will also help prevent misunderstandings and disputes.
The plain English guide to the new Act will help unit owners and bodies corporate to understand 'the big picture' and carry out their functions and duties.
Unit owners will understand how they can take part in the body corporate's work.
| Do you agree with the proposals for information and education services? If you do, is there anything else we should consider? If you disagree, please explain why. |
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