When recovering strata levies or defending an application by a lot owner in respect of the validity of a meeting, it is essential that you have good processes in place and can demonstrate that you have followed these processes when sending meeting notices and levy notices.
In a relatively recent NSW case, the Supreme Court was critical of an Owners Corporation who had commenced levy recovery proceedings against a debtor lot owner. The lot owner was successful on a number of points. Although a NSW case the principles also apply in the ACT.
What happened?
The Owners Corporation sent notices for a general meeting out to lot owners by post on Tuesday 17 January. The general meeting was held on 30 January and at this meeting a special levy was raised. The lot owner fell into arrears. When the Owners Corporation took action to recover the strata levies the lot owner challenged the validity of the 30 January meeting on the basis that inadequate notice of the meeting had been provided.
The Court determined that the Owners Corporation, to prove a meeting notice was sent, must be able to satisfy the Court that:
- the meeting notice was correct;
- the notice was placed in to an envelope;
- the envelope was properly addressed;
- the correct postage was paid for the envelope; and
- the envelope was physically deposited in a mailbox or post office.
The Court found Clause 32 of Schedule 3 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 1996 (NSW) required at least seven clear days’ notice of a general meeting must be provided. This time frame excludes the postal service rule under the Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW) which deems service to be effected on the fourth working day after the notice was posted. What this means is that the meeting notice was deemed served on Monday 23 January (the fourth working day after the notice was posted). With seven days’ notice required the meeting could not validly have been held until 31 January. Therefore the special levy was invalid.
What do I need to do to ensure the meeting is validly held?
- Be aware of the postal rule. The date of deemed service is the fourth working day after the notice is posted (s32 Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW) & s160 Evidence Act 2011 (ACT))
- Make sure that the notice period for the meeting is strictly adhered to. In NSW this is 7 clear days’ notice (Schedule 2, cl 32) and in the ACT this is 14 or 21 days’ notice depending on the motion (Schedule 3, cl 3.6); and
- Keep a record of the date the notices were sent, who sent them and that your office processes were adhered to.
Kerin Benson Lawyers
Author: Allison Benson
Email: allison@kerinbensonlawyers.com.au
Date: 15 July 2014