e-Bikes and e-Scooters – The potential implications for owners corporations

e-Bikes and e-Scooters – The potential implications for owners corporations

The last 12 months have seen an increase in the number of fires resulting from the charging of e-bikes, e-scooters and the like.  Many insurance policies will not yet exclude damage resulting from incidents involving rechargeable means of transport.

In some circumstances, there may be repeated incidents of damage being caused to common property by the improper use or overcharging of e-bikes etc, by a lot owner or occupier.  This may result in an owners corporation incurring considerable expense in repairing common property.  To reduce the risk of repeated incidents, an owners corporation may want to adopt guidelines concerning how such devices can be used or charged to minimise the risk of damage to the lot or common property.  The guidelines can be formalised in a by-law.

Another factor to consider is the excess incurred for insurance claims.  The excess paid to make an insurance claim may be substantial.  If the upward trend of fires and incidents continues, owners corporations may want to consider making the lot owner or occupier responsible for the reimbursement of the amount of the excess or, should the claim be denied, require the lot owner to repair the damage at its own cost.

Please contact our office if you are considering making by-laws to regulate the use of e-bikes and e-scooters, etc.

Nancy Torry, Solicitor in our Sydney office.