I know that I have said this before but now is the right time for trustees to look around the complex to check on problem trees and climbers.
This year we have had serious problems that have resulted in tree roots going through the walls and under the floors of adjacent units, causing serious damage.
When the roots were dug out it was frightening to see the amount of damage caused.
Trustees and managing agents need to do a full inspection of their buildings to look out for any potential problems.
This year, especially with the excess rain, trees have grown excessively, often by more than a metre.
Trustees need to check every garden, back and front, and make a plan to cut back or clear out any trees that have or will cause problems.
Things to watch include branches or stems leaning up against walls, roots going through or under wall foundations, creeper roots destroying wall plaster and paving being lifted, just to name a few.
Who pays?
In my opinion in any garden, the owner of the unit, especially if it is an exclusive-use area.
But if you have asked people before to remove certain trees and they don’t, I would get the body corporate to remove them at the owner’s cost.
You cannot wait for damage to be caused and this will be far more expensive than removing a few trees.
Although many gardens are not exclusive-use areas, the owners treat them as if they are.
Regular warnings to owners being responsible for any damage may help put you on the right foot.
- Mike Spencer is the founder and owner of Platinum Global. He is also a professional associated property valuer and consultant with work across the country as well as Eastern Europe and Australia.