Understanding Owners Corporation Committee Responsibility

Being on an Owners Corporation (OC) committee comes with both influence and responsibility. Committees help guide how the building is managed, how money is spent, and how decisions are made on behalf of all owners. One area that can cause confusion is what authority sits with the committee, and what is delegated to the Owners Corporation Manager.

The Committee’s Core Responsibility

At its heart, the committee exists to make decisions on behalf of the Owners Corporation. This includes setting priorities, approving budgets, authorising major works, and ensuring the OC meets its legal obligations. Even when tasks are delegated, the committee remains collectively responsible for outcomes.

Delegating to the Owners Corporation Manager

Most Owners Corporations engage a professional OC Manager to handle day‑to‑day operations. This delegation is practical but it has limits.

Typically, an Owners Corporation Manager is authorised to:

• Carry out routine administrative tasks
• Arrange regular maintenance and repairs
• Pay invoices that have been properly approved
• Act on decisions already made by the committee or owners

What’s important to remember is that delegation does not mean abdication. The OC Manager acts on behalf of the Owners Corporation, not instead of it. Strategic decisions, spending outside agreed budgets, or matters that affect owners’ rights generally require committee or owner approval.

Considering your Management Contract

Most Owners Corporation Management agreements include a set of base services covered by an annual management fee, along with additional services for which the Manager may charge a separate fee. It’s helpful for committees to understand which services fall under each category and, if unsure, to seek clarity from the Manager early.

Further, it’s important to understand that Building Management is a separate discipline to Owners Corporation Management. If you need help with items like move-ins, parcel management, facilities booking and building compliance this is typically not provided by an Owners Corporation Manager.

While an Owners Corporation Manager is experienced across a wide range of matters, their real value often lies in knowing which specialist to engage and when. A good Manager will be clear about when a request is an additional service, or when it falls outside their scope, so the committee can make informed decisions and plan accordingly.

Tip: At your next committee meeting, consider placing the Manager’s contract on the agenda. This provides an opportunity for the Manager to explain what services are included, what may incur additional fees, and how charges are applied, helping the committee move forward with confidence. Read more…