Winter is also a good opportunity for committees to review whether any preventative maintenance works should be scheduled for the year ahead.

Planning ahead helps avoid situations where urgent repairs need to be funded through unexpected special levies.

Reviewing Building Maintenance Before Winter

Common projects may include:

  • Roof inspections and repairs
  • Gutter cleaning
  • Waterproofing investigations
  • External lighting upgrades
  • Fire safety upgrades
  • Drainage improvements
  • Building facade maintenance

Depending on the scope and cost of the works, committee approval or a resolution at a general meeting may be required before work can proceed.

Planning ahead helps avoid situations where urgent repairs need to be funded through unexpected special levies.

Is Your Capital Works Fund Ready?

One of the most valuable things a committee can do before winter is review its Capital Works Fund forecast.

If recurring issues such as roof leaks, drainage problems, lift breakdowns, ageing infrastructure or waterproofing failures continue to arise, it may be a sign that future expenditure needs to be reviewed.

For some schemes, winter exposes maintenance items that have been deferred for years.

Having a well-funded Capital Works Fund allows the owners corporation to respond proactively rather than reactively when major repairs become necessary.

A Winter Walkthrough for Committees

One simple exercise we often recommend is conducting a seasonal walkthrough of the property.

Take a walk around the building after heavy rain or during the evening and ask:

  • Are there areas where water is pooling?
  • Are gutters overflowing?
  • Are there signs of water ingress?
  • Are pathways and stairwells adequately lit?
  • Are external doors, gates and access points operating correctly?
  • Are there any obvious maintenance issues that residents experience every day?

These observations can help committees identify maintenance priorities before the next AGM and ensure important works are factored into future budgets.

Winter Maintenance Items to Discuss at Your Next AGM

Many committees spend considerable time discussing reactive maintenance, but winter is a good reminder to plan ahead.

Consider whether your scheme should review:

  • Upcoming roof maintenance requirements
  • Waterproofing works
  • Capital Works Fund forecasts
  • Energy efficiency improvements to common property
  • External lighting upgrades
  • Drainage improvements
  • Fire safety compliance requirements
  • Preventative maintenance programs
  • Long-term building asset replacement planning

A small investment in preventative maintenance today can often avoid significantly larger costs in the future.

At Strata Plus, we believe great strata management is about more than responding to problems when they occur. It’s about helping communities plan ahead, maintain their assets and create buildings that are safe, well-maintained and financially prepared for the future.