​The Owners Corporation (OC) and OC Committee

​The Owners Corporation of HHawthorn manages the common property at the complex.
Common property (defined on the plan of subdivision) is typically gardens, the lift, car stacker, driveways, fences, visitor carpark, passage ways, entrance etc.
The Committee is made up of owners elected at the AGM to assist in the management of HHawthorn in conjunction with the Strata Manager. Committee members give a great deal of their time on a voluntary basis to assist in the effective functioning and maintenance of the building as well as considering the related interest of owners.
Our Owners Corporation was established under the Owners Corporation Act of 2006, the law that sets out the duties and powers of Owner Corporations.
When you purchase property at H Hawthorn, you automatically become a member of the Owners Corporation and have legal and financial responsibilities to it.
 
The Owners Corporation is responsible for and must:

• Repair and maintain the common property, fixtures and services including rubbish collection
• Take out and maintain required insurance
• Raise fees (levies) from the lot owners to meet the OC financial objectives
• Prepare financial statements and keep financial records
• Provide Owners Corporation certificates when requested
• Maintain an Owners Corporation Register
• Establish a grievance procedure

 
More information on OC’s is available from Consumer Affairs 
(https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing-and-accommodation/owners-corporations)

​Owners Corporation Manager - VBCS

HHawthorn Owners Corporation have engaged VBCS (Victorian Body Corporate Services) to be its Strata Manager and to administer the day to day operational matters of the Owners Corporation for Plan of Subdivision No. PS 728900D on behalf of owners. 
 
The Strata Manager (Scott Devereux) can be contacted on direct phone 03 8531 8118 between 9am -5pm, or email sdevereux@vbcs.com.au. Alternatively phone 03 8531 8100 for the switchboard 9am - 5pm or A/H service for emergencies. ​

​Owners Corporation Fees

​OC fees (levy notices) are issued to owners four times a year for payment at the start of each financial quarter. Notices are sent out one month before the due date. If fees are not paid on time, The OC Manager will issue arrear notices to the owner address, asking for payment, then eventually refer to VCAT for debt recovery. Costs associated with arrears notices, interest on outstanding payments and VCAT fees will be passed to the owner, not paid by the OC.
Owners are reminded to advise the OC Manager (VBCS) if they change registered address to ensure levy notices are sent to the correct address.  

AGM

The AGM is held annually, typically Feb each year to accept reports from the Stata Manager and the OC Committee, review financial reports for the year, agree new budgets for the next year and elect the new Committee. It is recommended that all owners attend the AGM to keep up to date on issues affecting their property and possibly elect to be on Committee.

OC Rules ​

STANDARD RULES

• Section 3.2 Carparking

A resident is not allowed to park in the visitor car-parking area at any time

• Section 5.1 Behaviour

A resident must ensure that guests do not behave in a manner to interfere with peaceful enjoyment of other residents or guests.

• Section 5.2.1 Noise

A resident or guest must not unreasonably create any noise that will interfere with the enjoyment of other persons entitled to use common property.

• Section 6 Disputes

Any disputes or grievances should be notified in writing to the Owners Corporation Manager
SPECIAL RULES

• Damage to Common Property
  • Residents must ensure no damage or defacing is done to common property – this includes spilling liquids in common property areas (lifts, hallways, refuse room)
• Appearance and maintenance of lot
  • Residents (and owners) need to ensure they make no alterations or additions to the exterior of their lot.
  • Residents must not hang out washing on common property or the exterior that can be seen from the outside.
• Bicycles
  • Bicycles of residents and guests must be stored in bicycle racks in common property areas (residents in garage and visitors at front in Violet St).

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Guidelines for use of Agent billboards

 Agent billboards are only to be used for the sale of a property, not for rentals (rentals are best done via web sites to avoid multiple billboards facing Riversdale Rd).
 
The following OC guidelines are designed to ensure billboards are properly displayed and do not negatively affect the external appearance of the property:  

1. "For sale" bill boards should be located freestanding facing Riversdale Rd or supported  on the brickwall in such a way that no damage is done to the wall or paintwork. 
2. The details on the board must include the unit number. It should not be a general sale notice primarily promoting the agency. 
3. The size of the board should be no larger than 6ft x 4ft (1.83m x 1.22m) or    8ft x 4 ft (2.44m x 1.22m)
4. The location of the board must be freestanding and under no circumstances attached to the fence or any other area of the property.
5. The board may be displayed for a period of 4 weeks only and must be removed within 24 hours of expiration of that time or 24 hours after the sale, whichever comes first.
6. The owner of the unit and/or his agent will be responsible for any costs incurred by the Owners Corporation in rectifying damage to the property caused by the board.
7. Only one board at a time to be displayed at the property.