Carolyn Male MP, State Member for Pine Rivers, said that the State Government will this year change the way body corporate fees are decided for Queensland’s more than 350,000 unit owners.

Carolyn Male MP said, “The Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 will be changed so there is a better and fairer system for working out shared costs associated with living in an apartment complex or other community titles scheme.”

“This is a much needed change. The Act has had a loophole which unfairly allowed some unit owners to get away with paying less than their fair share of body corporate fees at the expense of others.”

“The present law means that in setting or adjusting body corporate contribution lot entitlements all lot entitlements should be equal, except to the extent that is just and equitable in the circumstances for them not to be equal.”

“We’re putting a stop to this and changing the law so it’s fairer for everyone all round.”

Carolyn Male MP said since the Act was introduced in 1997, lot owners could apply to have their lot entitlements - and thus body corporate fees - reduced at any time.

“Penthouse owners, for example, can effectively slash their own body corporate fees, but these costs are merely passed on to others in the complex instead,” Carolyn Male MP said.

“This situation needs to be fixed if affordable housing options are to continue to be available to a wide range of Queenslanders.”

“The State Government would like to see the basis for setting lot entitlements revert to the arrangements before the Act was introduced.”

“The Queensland Government had called for public feedback before proposing changes to the way body corporate expenses are allocated.”

“In December 2008 consultations were held to hear how the existing lot entitlements system was working and how it could work better.”

“Unit owners will now have more certainty about what body corporate fees they’re up for.”

“Once passed in Parliament, the new rules could be effective later on in 2010.