VVE and Intercom: Your Rights and Obligations

Questioner

It has been decided that the intercom system in the apartment complex where I have an apartment will be replaced. The VVE has communicated about this (in writing) and has now also taken place. I haven't lived in that apartment for 3 years and I only go to pick up the mail once in a while (almost all the mail is at my current address except for the mail I get from the homeowners' association and the mortgage provider). Since I don't collect the mail every week, I completely missed this (at least the notice of when this would happen). When I came back to my house, there was a note on my front door from the contractor asking me to contact them to install the new intercom. The old one had already been cut so it didn't work anymore. I called and the contractor indicated that this would be at my own expense because I had not responded at the time of posting. He could not tell us how much it would cost; that would have to be requested from the VVE. It's been a few months now and I heard from my former neighbours (who still live there) that no one had to pay for this. The VVE indicates that it is my own fault because I did not respond and therefore it is all my responsibility. Can I do something with this? Or am I completely wrong when I say that I want these costs to be borne by the VVE? And even though I can't present the bill to the VVE because I didn't respond (because I don't live there), do I also have no right to the intercom that is supposed to be in my house? I can have the intercom installed by a friendly electrician. The old intercom is still there, but it has been disconnected and can (according to the VVE) no longer be connected to the new installation. I would like to hear what this is and whether there is anything I can do about it.

Lawyer

What is right in your case depends largely on what is stipulated in the deed of division of your apartment complex, such as what exactly the VVE can and may do on behalf of the joint owners. The following about the letter. When the VVE sends you a letter to your postal address, the VVE may assume that you receive and read it. The fact that you do not regularly come to collect the mail cannot be held against them. Unless the VVE knew that you do not often come to collect the mail and was aware of your actual place of residence. In that case, they should have sent the mail to that address. The fact that none of the owners have had to pay for the procedure so far does encourage the idea that you don't have to either.