The Strata Building Bond Inspection Scheme (SBBIS) is relevant to residential or mixed-use strata schemes of 4 storeys or more for building works of contracts that were entered into from 1 January 2018. A building bond lodged by the developer may be used after 2 years from lodgement to pay for identified rectification works if the developer has failed to rectify these defects.
This guide aims to simplify the SBBIS stages; give clarity on timelines (references are from the date of Occupation Certificate); flag the important aspects such as the OCs need to enable full and proper inspections to be completed within the small window of 3 months.
Please note that the SBBI Scheme is not relevant to schemes of 3 storeys or less as a remedy is available under Part 6 of the Home Building Act 1989.
STAGE 1 | BUILDING BOND LODGEMENT
- The stage is solely developer responsibility for lodgement of 2% of the contract value.
STAGE 2 | INSPECTOR APPOINTMENT | within 12 months
- The developer is responsible for the appointment of the inspector & the related costs.
- Inspector must be selected from a panel and must be agreed to by the owners corporation.
STAGE 3 | INTERIM INSPECTION & INTERIM REPORT | 15 to 18 months after completion
- The developer must give written notice of at least 14 days of the inspection.
- OC must give reasonable access, or the use of the bond might be in jeopardy.
- The inspection is visual and non-evasive testing. Secondary speciality inspectors can be involved eg HVAC.
- Developer to provide the report to the owners corporationwithin 14 days of receiving it.
- Once the report is received, the owners corporation must let all owners know within 14 days where to access it.
STAGE 4 | RECTIFY DEFECTIVE WORK | 18 to 21 months
- Responsibility of developer to liaise with the builder.
- If there is a need to enter a lot to rectify then must give 14 days’ notice to the owners corporation, developer, lot owner & lot occupier.
STAGE 5 | FINAL INSPECTION & REPORT | 21 to 24 months
- The developer must arrange for the same inspector.
- Inspector cannot raise any matters that were not raised in the 1st report.
- The final report must be in an approved form and provided to the owners corporation within 14 days of completion, no less than 24 months after Occupational Certificate.
STAGE 6 | DETERMINE COST OF RECTIFICATION | after 24 months but before 2 years & 90 days
- Developer & OC to agree to the cost and provide a deed of agreement within 30 days of the finalised report.
- If no agreement, the government will appoint a quantity surveyor to determine the cost of the defective works. The developer & OC to share the cost of the appointed quantity surveyor.
STAGE 7 | PAYING THE BUILDING BOND | 2 years from completion OR 90 days from the final report (later of 2)
- Bond to be claimed OR released between 2 and 3 years after the completion date.
- Unreasonable access refusal to the developer or builder can lead to a refusal of a claim on the bond.
- 7 different circumstances are provided to enable the bond release.
STAGE 8 | COMPLETE THE PROCESS | within 3 years
- Notifications from the OC to the developer are required to comply and penalties exist if these notifications do not happen.
This information is summarised from the NSW government’s comprehensive 48-page owners corporation information manual. This Manual includes key terms, detailed processes, and schedules, including the different written notices to be used in the 8 stages (32 forms).
If you have any questions, simply contact your Strata Plus accredited strata manager
Read moreBUYING INTO STRATA
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS & PRECINCTS
EVENTS
WHAT IS STRATA
LIVING IN STRATA
STRATA COMMITTEE
STRATA LEGISLATION
COMMON PROPERTY
STRATA LEVIES
BY LAWS
REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE
MEETINGS
SUSTAINABILITY
GREEN BUILDING GRANTS
COMPLIANCE
FIRE SAFETY
TRUST ACCOUNTING
DISPUTES & MEDIATION
DEFECTS
ARCHIVED