Answer by Neha Sharma, Hillsdale 2036 Sydney

• Levies are usually collected quarterly. They are an important part of a community scheme and contribute towards running and maintaining the community.
• It is most likely that you are also a member of a subsidiary scheme. This means you will possibly be paying two or more sets of levies quarterly. You will also be required to pay normal council rates.
• The association or owners corporation of each scheme has a duty to ensure that there is always enough money in each scheme’s administrative fund or sinking fund to pay for necessary renovations, repairs and maintenance as well as day-to-day running costs.
• Occasionally a scheme may need to impose a special levy to cover costs of unexpected repairs or renovations for which no funds have been allocated.
• Before levies can be imposed or altered they must be discussed and accepted by majority vote at a general meeting.
• You have the right to ask your managing agent or the secretary of the executive committee about levies charged and request details about where the money is being spent.
• The managing agent or the executive committee is obligated under the law to keep financial records and statements about the scheme’s trust accounts.
• If you are unsatisfied with the response you receive you may need to resolve your dispute through mediation.