with Dr Kathy Douglas

Apartment living is booming in Australia and New Zealand. With this increase in vertical living comes many challenges including significant conflict.

Disputes arise because residents are living in close proximity and managing shared assets. Apartment blocks and other developments such as town house and master planned estate developments may require shared infrastructure and will often include jointly owned assets such as swimming pools and gyms. The legal entity that holds the shared assets may be known as an owners corporation, a body corporate or some other similar title. A committee of management often employs a manager who may informally mediate the conflict. There is scope within legislation to regulate conflict more effectively which would result in residents feeling more satisfied in the process.

This presentation analyses data from a mixed method study that included managers and owners corporation committees and discusses conflict resolution strategies, including employing a professional mediator, that may assist with dispute resolution to meet residents’ needs.