Frequently asked questions

A neighbourhood association (NA) is a group of privately owned dwellings, generally with common property that is jointly owned by the members of the NA. At Prince Henry that common property may be as small as 1 square metre. Each NA has its own management statement establishing the particular responsibilities of that NA.

As a member of a neighbourhood association you should be aware of the following:

• you own your own property as well as sharing ownership and responsibility for ‘common property’
• you must contribute to the cost of running the common property through paying periodic levies
• you may also have to contribute to a sinking fund, for future long-term expenses such as painting, maintaining, or upgrading common property
• there may be lifestyle restrictions, for example there are rules (by-laws) that may affect you renovating your home, where you can dry laundry, etc.

Most NAs appoint a managing agent to administer owners corporation requirements such as insurance, contractors to maintain and repair common property, and landscaping, etc.

Each NA must have an annual general meeting to elect office-bearers and set a budget. The NA may also nominate one owner to represent that NA on the PHCA executive committee. A NA may be managed by an individual owner or owners, or outsourced to a managing agent.

All correspondence from the PHCA, such as meeting notices, meeting minutes, newsletters and, importantly, PHCA levy notices, is delivered to the nominated person (either an individual owner or a managing agent). PHCA levies, if not paid by the due date can attract an interest penalty.