Frequently asked questions

What do I need to know about the gas systems in my building?

If you’re unsure what gas systems are installed in your apartment building, a good place to start is by contacting your Owners Corporation. They can help confirm whether your building has a gas supply and how it is used.

To better understand your building’s gas systems, you may also find it helpful to ask the following questions:

• What gas systems or appliances exist in our building?
• Does the maintenance plan state the anticipated end of life for any gas appliances?
• Do we have any gas appliances with shared use in common areas?
• How are the costs of gas consumption divided between residents?
• Do we track how much gas the appliances are using, and how much they each cost?
• Are there any plans to replace those gas appliances with electric alternatives at end of life?

What does the site assessment involve?

The program team will contact you to request any additional documentation or information required to progress your site assessment. Once this information has been received, you will be able to nominate a suitable time for the assessment, which typically takes approximately three hours.

A representative from the Owners Corporation or building/facilities management will need to accompany the program’s technical officer during the visit and provide access to relevant areas of the building. Our technical officer will examine all existing gas systems, switchboards and electrical infrastructure to inform the overall assessment.

Following analysis of the findings, you will then receive your Electrification Pathway – Recommendation Report.

Will there be any cost to participants?

No. The initiative is fully funded by the ACT Government, and all services provided through the program are delivered at no cost to participating apartment buildings.

What do I do once I have my report?

The Program team will continue to support participating apartment buildings as you review and consider the findings of your report and begin planning your electrification journey. With an indicative picture of what the transition may involve for your building, and the recommended replacement technologies outlined in your report, you can start planning next steps.

This typically includes:

• Review and understand your report. Consider the findings and recommendations, including the proposed staging of upgrades, indicative costs, and electrification constraints
• Engage with your owners corporation and residents. Share the report with your Owners Corporation committee to build understanding, discuss priorities, and gauge appetite for proceeding with electrification works.
• Engage consultant. Engage a suitably qualified consultant (engineering consultant) to undertake detailed design, accurate costings and an implementation strategy to plan upgrade sequencing and timeframes.
• Consider funding and approvals. Explore funding options, including special levies, loans, or grants, and progress any required Owners Corporation resolutions and regulatory approvals.
• Stay connected with the Program team. The Program team remains available to provide guidance and support as the Owners Corporation works through the planning process and prepares for implementation.

How do I navigate the Unit Titles system for building upgrades

In the ACT, apartment buildings are governed under the Unit Titles Act 2001 and the Unit Titles (Management) Act 2011. These laws define how unit plans are created and managed and outline the responsibilities of individual owners and the owners corporation (also known as the body corporate).

There are many variables for owners corporations. The following section provides guidance on how to approach electrification within the ACT’s unit title system, with reference to the Unit Titles (Management) Act 2011 (UTMA).

Decision-making process for building upgrades

Under the UTMA, owners corporations must follow formal decision-making processes when considering upgrades to common property, including electrification.

Decision-making process

Ordinary resolutions can approve the installation of sustainability infrastructure on the common property (including financing the infrastructure e.g. through a loan).

Special resolutions are still needed for upgrades that:

• Determine a different method of contribution amounts for unit owners.
• Alter the rules of the owners corporation.

Voting and meetings

Owners must be given proper notice of meetings where such decisions will be made, and agendas must include detailed information about the proposed upgrades, including cost estimates and rationale. Owners have the right to vote, raise concerns, and request further information before resolutions are passed.

Funding options for upgrades

Electrification upgrades are typically funded through levies - contributions paid by all unit owners to a sinking fund. The sinking fund supports both day-to-day operations and long-term capital works.

If funds are insufficient, the owners corporation may:

• Amend their Sinking Fund plan to include contributions for electrification.
• Establish a Special Purpose Fund for owners to contribute to a specific upgrade.
• Take out a loan; subject to approval, owners corporations may borrow funds.

All upgrades to apartment buildings must comply with the requirements set out in the UMTA. For more information, please visit the website.

Understanding your building classification

The ACT distinguishes between Class A and Class B units:

• Class A units are generally multi-storey apartments. The owner owns the inside of the unit to the mid-point of shared walls and may own one or more subsidiaries, such as a car parking space or storage area.
• Class B units are generally townhouse style units. The owner owns the inside and the outside of their unit, and to the mid-point of the units’ boundaries.

You can check your building’s classification via your Certificate of Title or through Access Canberra.

For more information:

www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/building-and-property

www.act.gov.au/housing-planning-and-property/housing/owning-a-unit