KEY POINTS:
Apartment advocate Jules Flight was so enthusiastic about inner-city living that last year he wrote a book, The High Life, about the topic.
Describing apartment living as a "glamorous, exciting and affordable" style of living without transport or maintenance worries, Mr Flight outlined the pleasures of unit dwelling, saying many people had been seduced by the idea of abandoning the suburbs.
Bars and cafes were just minutes away from an apartment owner's doorstep and a sophisticated and lively urban culture awaited those fortunate enough to live in its midst, he wrote.
He was not totally beguiled, telling of the pitfalls such as noise, corporate responsibility, management issues, lack of outdoor space and leaky buildings.
He warned people to beware of Mediterranean-styled houses, to ask questions before buying and to seek copies of body corporate minutes to uncover any weathertightness issues.
Now, Mr Flight says he is even more aware of the pitfalls after months living under canvas while his Mt Eden block is being repaired.
Loss of privacy, security woes, dirt and noise are just some of the hardships he has had to endure. Residents can't sleep in because builders start work early and often half the apartment has to be vacated for the work to begin. Carpets are rolled up and insulation stripped out for work on the walls, so the units become freezing during the winter.
"People underestimate the amount of disruption that is caused," Mr Flight said of the long repair process to Eden View on Mt Eden Rd. "Owners and occupiers find it heart-wrenching to see their homes ripped apart before their eyes."
Eden View did not initially appear to be a leaky building.
"With one exception, no apartments showed signs of water ingress ... It was only when the body corporate called for quotes for routine external repainting of the building that suspicion was aroused."
LIFE UNDER CANVAS
What leaky building victims go through during repair process:
* Loss of privacy: living on a building site.
* Security: anyone can walk in.
* Cold in winter: insulation and carpet removed.
* Noise: builders working on site.
* Squeezed: furniture stacked up.
* Moved: often can't sleep in bedrooms.
* Dust and dirt: from repair work.
* Inconvenience: loss of orderliness.
