Strata Issues

[Icey]

Hi all,

About to become a new Model X Owner and having a few issues with Strata.

My setup will be running from my meter to my assigned car park. All works done by a qualified electrician and signed off by Energy Safe Victoria.

This is only a small apartment block (~20 units).

Their concerns are what happens if the car catches fire or the charger catches fire. I've asked what happens if the ICE catches fire, or your fridge catches fire... Its no different. They would like me to get lawyers involved and speak to powercor and have them sign off on it, these requests are just silly...

This is just going to be a simple 10/15 amp install.

Apart from going the VCAT way any other suggestions.

 

[shanelord]

Maybe check what Jet Charge do? Could help.

Living In An Apartment Block? You Can Finally Charge Your Electric Car

They will even lobby your strata for you:
Apartments

Shane.

 

[Icey]

Maybe check what Jet Charge do? Could help.

Living In An Apartment Block? You Can Finally Charge Your Electric Car

Sorry, Should of mentioned I have spoken with them and got a quote (a little high for my liking but no other real choice)
They are assisting where they can but still having issues trying to convince Body Corp (and members) that its safe...

 

[shanelord]

Sorry, Should of mentioned I have spoken with them and got a quote (a little high for my liking but no other real choice)
They are assisting where they can but still having issues trying to convince Body Corp (and members) that its safe...

Damn! Other than stating the obvious that your strata board are in the dark ages (as many old and especially new apartments are specifically adding electric car charging to their buildings) I’m not sure what you can do.

Maybe Tesla charging support can help?

Shane.

 

[meloccom]

Sorry, Should of mentioned I have spoken with them and got a quote (a little high for my liking but no other real choice)
They are assisting where they can but still having issues trying to convince Body Corp (and members) that its safe...

I went through this process in around 2010 and I posted about it here. I approached the Owners Corporation Committee explaining that electric vehicles are coming, like it or not and it’s better to have a say in their introduction into the building than try to prevent it and end up with attempting to police unauthorised charging.
Strangely the issue of a fire did not come up, it was more concerned about capacity of the building infrastructure but I have now been charging successfully in my parking space for 3 years.
Happy to talk to a member of your OC Committee if you think it would help.
DM me if you are interested.

 

[Icey]

Nice write up melccom.
Tesla came to the party today and written a nice letter to the Body Corp. We will see if that helps.
I might DM you if I come against any more resistance

 

[shanelord]

Nice write up melccom.
Tesla came to the party today and written a nice letter to the Body Corp. We will see if that helps.
I might DM you if I come against any more resistance

Awesome to hear. Any chance you can post a (redacted if necessary) copy of the letter from Tesla for anyone that may need it in future?

Thanks,
Shane.

 

[renim]

Not too surprised
Victoria does have a history of fires that seems worse than the rest of Australia.

Is there any bushland around?

 

[Icey]

@shanelord - See attached
@renim - No bushland at all around. This is a inner west.

 

[Kirriport]

I like the "bare all" bit!

 

[Chooflaki]

Sounds like a very weak argument. Any electrical appliance can cause a fire and every house and apartment has many potential electrical fire starters. My mums house burned down due to a faulty range hood in the kitchen. A co-workers house burned down due to a faulty near new TV. Both happened only a couple of years ago. As long as everything is done in compliance with standards and regulations it should be OK and just normal risk.

 

[Icey]

@Chooflaki - I 100% agree, I made the argument that what happens if your fridge catches fire..
Its still with the Committee at this stage. Car arrives in June/July so I have a little time...

 

[ChrsiH314]

I went through this process in around 2010 and I posted about it <snip>
... but I have now been charging successfully in my parking space for 3 years.

That's a very big battery, or a very slow charge rate
... sorry, couldn't resist, I'll go quietly now

 

[Burnt Toast]

Just think OP, If you'd not spent $200k on a car, you could have bought a house, or better yet, moved out of the inner west to the inner east!

 

[Icey]

Just think OP, If you'd not spent $200k on a car, you could have bought a house, or better yet, moved out of the inner west to the inner east!

Its not $200k... only $159k ($32k of that is bloody tax... bastards..)
Own a house
I'm new to Melbourne so I'm sure there is a dig in there somewhere Had I known how derro the west was.. I would of considered elsewhere. Caroline Springs I would say is once of the better places of the west.

 

[Burnt Toast]

Its not $200k... only $159k ($32k of that is bloody tax... bastards..)
Own a house
I'm new to Melbourne so I'm sure there is a dig in there somewhere Had I known how derro the west was.. I would of considered elsewhere. Caroline Springs I would say is once of the better places of the west.

Caroline Springs is definitely not. It's also not inner west. With a 'only' $159k car in Caroline Springs, you're driving around with something worth half the price of people's houses out there.

 

[EcoCloudIT]

Come on over to the Inner South East....we're all snobs over here

Upshot of being in Caroline Springs, you'll get the looks of "wow, that's a Tesla" like I used to get in the Inner South East when I first bought

 

[doctorwho]

I circumvented the problem by joining the committee in my building. Personal relationships help, as did offers of a ride in the car.

 

[shanelord]

Caroline Springs is definitely not. It's also not inner west. With a 'only' $159k car in Caroline Springs, you're driving around with something worth half the price of people's houses out there.

Wow, is it normal on here for people to look down their noses at where others live, or even question where and how people spend their money?

Hoping you’re being sarcastic - even still it’s not nice.

Shane.

 

[Burnt Toast]

Wow, is it normal on here for people to look down their noses at where others live, or even question where and how people spend their money?

Hoping you’re being sarcastic - even still it’s not nice.

Shane.

Not trying to be an asshole, but when you're living in a low socio economic area, and driving a $160k car, it does raise serious questions about priorities. We all love Tesla, and support the move to EVs, but at what cost?