A 92-year-old man, Joe, has expressed frustration over being unable to live in his Brisbane unit due to persistent flooding and mould issues, which he attributes to the body corporate’s failure to implement adequate waterproofing measures. Joe and his late wife, Rahleen, had experienced significant water ingress, with the unit reportedly flooding approximately six times. Following an alarming discovery of black mould, Joe was advised by inspectors to evacuate immediately, which occurred in November. Since then, they have been residing in hotels, a situation that tragically coincided with Rahleen’s passing from ovarian cancer during their period of displacement.
The unit suffered extensive damage during Tropical Cyclone Alfred earlier this year, necessitating the removal of carpets and part of the wall. An independent assessment revealed that the building’s exterior render was compromised, allowing rainwater to penetrate, leading Joe’s son, Rohan, to advocate for urgent repairs from the body corporate. Tensions have risen over a $15,000 outstanding fee for body corporate contributions, which Joe refuses to pay, claiming the issues originate externally.
The body corporate responded to media inquiries by stating its obligation to recover unpaid levies, highlighting that failing to do so could jeopardise maintenance of common areas. They noted that while certain works had already been completed, weather-related delays were affecting additional repairs.
Compounding their challenges, a builder has flagged further leaks in the building, prompting the body corporate to await a report clarifying the source of these new issues. Meanwhile, Joe is growing weary of transient living and longs to return to his home for the remainder of his life, while Rohan stands by him in his quest for the necessary repairs and a permanent resolution.