u/Averelleee

Hi,

Our next-door apartment block was rebuilt 12 years ago.

Image1 was the situation before the survey. Our side is a split-level floor, with the higher front (elevation of 22.65m), and lower at the back (22.30m). On their side was a carport, and then a paved area at 22.71 (i.e. higher than our lower floor).

After the rebuild (image2), on the boundary with my house, they left a 1m-wide strip of land as a "drainage easement", for a 150mm underground stormwater PVC pipe covered with dirt and mulch (in reality, there are no stepping stones). That area is sloped down toward the front and the back, with the elevation of the highest point similar to what it was before the rebuild (i.e. 22.74 - about 45cm higher than my hour's floor).
Because of the change from covered/hard surface to soft landscaping of the area next to the boundary on their side, the red-marked section of our wall and the adjacent floor are damp and damaged.

What can I do now to rectify this? Can I ask them to lower the elevation of that land strip?

Thank you.

Will this incur any fine? If yes, will it be 4 times than the fine for people putting one foot on seat?

We are having an old bathroom renovated. The builder removed the tile and a layer of concrete (with no reo-mesh), re-organised the piping, screeded the base, built a new concrete slab (with reo-bar), and then after about a week, applied the first layer of liquid waterproof membrane.

I was concerned that the slab could sink or the base could expand, causing the slab to rise and break the waterproof membrane. I raised that with the builder, and he assured that it would be fine.

I'm not convinced. Am I right/wrong to worry about that?

BTW, I could see on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brUiipsk_ZQ) they used waterproof tape on all edges/corners, and then applied the liquid membrane on top of that. Looked like it's in the US. Do they use that tape here in Australia?

Thanks