New rules clarifying the rights of residents and businesses in mixed-use buildings have been announced by the Ministers for Planning, Business and Regulatory Services.
The Ministers, Gordon Ramsay and Mick Gentleman said the new arrangements would reform the way apartments, townhouses and mixed-use buildings were managed.
Mr Ramsay said the Managing Buildings Better reforms would overhaul how apartments, townhouses and mixed-use buildings were managed and clarify responsibilities between residents and business owners.
“As Canberra grows, we are seeing more and more people choosing to live in mixed-use developments in our town centres,” Mr Ramsay said.
“As people are making this choice, the Government has been listening to feedback on what regulatory measures could be put in place to make it fairer and easier for businesses and residents to manage their buildings.”
He said this series of reforms would include a more accurate split of utility costs between businesses and households in shared buildings, resulting in lower bills for residents.
“The Government has been working with a consultative group of industry and community stakeholders to prioritise reforms that will have the most direct and immediate impact,” Mr Ramsay said.
Mr Gentleman said off-the-plan buyers would receive more information on their rights and responsibilities upfront and could expect a fairer, more equitable distribution of building costs.
“We’re improving how owners’ corporations operate to make buying and living in apartments better,” Mr Gentleman said.
“We have explored what other jurisdictions are doing and are taking the parts that best fit the ACT.”
He said the initial package of reforms would be introduced to the Legislative Assembly later this year.
