How to use By-Laws to Restore Peace to your Strata Community
In our short time together, I covered:
the 4 mistakes communities are making when it comes to their by-laws
what makes a great by-law and what should be avoided when drafting new by-laws
the legal enforcement process
recent Tribunal and court cases dealing with by-laws
and much more.
How to Add Value to Your Strata Common Property Webinar
In our short time together, I covered how to:
legally convert unused or unloved common property into valuable spaces for enjoyment or sale
upgrade run-down areas including bin rooms and bin bays
successfully submit a development application to the local council
handle objections from owners and avoid disputes that end up in costly litigation,
and much more.
The Smooth Moves Webinar
During the webinar, I shared my guidance for how to effectively manage the move-in/out process in strata, plus some helpful resources you can implement in your communities right away. We also heard from NSW EPA representatives on how to reduce waste and prevent illegal dumping.
313. Navigating the strata remedial works minefield
In a first for the show, this week I have THREE guests: Peter Johnsson, Grahame Vile and Caroline McConnachie – each an expert in strata remedial works. We discuss:
why remedial works are so painful for apartment owners
the different fee structures used by contractors and consultants
how to keep costs under control
how strata managers can best serve their clients during a remedial works project,
and more.
The Nuances of Notices to Comply Pro Webinar – Replay

On yesterday’s Pro Member Webinar, I walked members through my step-by-step process for completing a valid Notice to Comply with a by-law and demonstrated how to craft a winning penalty application before the NSW Tribunal, including: why you should be worried if an owner ‘goes quiet’ after being served with a Notice to Comply how […]
Bulletproof Books and Records Pro Webinar – Replay

In this webinar, Amanda covers: the 3 biggest mistakes strata managers are making when it comes to record-keeping for their clients the pitfalls lurking in our strata legislation that make proper records management such a difficult task the building that had to pay $10,000 to resolve a dispute about records – and what you can […]
Member call no. 48: Subdivisions, DAs, Dividing Fences and more
In this call with strata manager Donovan, I cover: penalty applications in the Tribunal: is mediation necessary? can the local council prevent short term letting in a strata building? what kind of approval is needed for a strata plan of subdivision? is the owners corporation responsible for ensuring that an owner’s reno has council consent? […]
285. Who is entitled to chair a meeting? | the “CPM” | investing funds
https://media.blubrry.com/yourstrataproperty/p/yourstratapropertypodcast.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/2021_10_27_Reena_Van_Aalst_285.mp3 Reena and I enjoy our very first in-person podcast chat, covering: the authority of a strata manager to chair meetings the Common Property Memorandum: a help or a hindrance? the successful resolution of a BMC dispute, and investment opportunities for surplus OC funds. Links mentioned: Get the transcript here! Section 52 – Owners […]
296. Overwhelmed already? How to reset for a calmer 2022
In our first chat for 2022, Reena and I cover: the current pressure on short-staffed building and strata managers our tips for dealing with “communication overwhelm” why walking away from a client is sometimes the best option the new service helping you find the perfect strata lawyer to suit your needs. Links mentioned: Get […]
283. Common property only for the vaxxed? Dr Cathy Sherry answers
https://media.blubrry.com/yourstrataproperty/p/yourstratapropertypodcast.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/2021_10_13_Cathy_Sherry_283.mp3 Dr Cathy Sherry and I answer your questions about NSW’s new public health order, including: whether common property facilities can be restricted to vaccinated people only what to do about in-person meetings over the next 8 weeks what are the new rules about trades and construction work on occupied premises how short […]
Better Buildings Webinar (Members Only)
Learn how a properly functioning strata committee can dramatically improve your experience of apartment living. In this webinar, we’ll cover: Proper election procedures for strata committees The duties of the committee and its office holders Correct committee meeting procedure Transparent and legal committee decision making Effective communication between the committee, owners and the strata manager […]
Shared Space: Reena Van Aalst and Gordon Streight – The Smart Way to Add Value
In this session, Reena shares: how to avoid common renovation works pitfalls why it’s up to YOU to impress the strata manager you want to work with how to answer the emotional arguments put forward by owners who don’t want to invest in improving the common property… In this session, Gordon shares: the […]
Member call no. 5: strata manager Sean asks the hard questions about proxies, co-owners and special levies
In this jam-packed call, I help Sean – a strata owner turned strata manager – navigate the tricky areas of proxies, co-owner voting rights, AGM notices and special levies. This is an excellent call to tune in to if you’re the secretary of a self-managed scheme, or a strata manager at any level. We […]
Member call No. 16: 7 excellent questions from strata manager Donovan
Assistant strata manager Donovan had been saving up all the ‘hard’ questions for just this call! The call is jam-packed with practical information for strata managers and committee members alike, including my answers to Donovan’s questions about by-law enforcement, committee meetings, defects warranty periods, subdividing common property and more.
Member call no. 20: Demystifying BMCs with strata manager Andrew
In this call, I answer strata manager Andrew’s excellent questions about: whether NSW community associations can impose blanket bans on the keeping of animals how building management committees and strata management statements work what avenues NSW buildings have if they have an underperforming strata manager. This is a very ‘hands on’ call filled […]
246. Tree roots | insurance valuations | fence dispute win
https://media.blubrry.com/yourstrataproperty/p/yourstratapropertypodcast.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/2021_01_05_Reena_Van_Aalst_246.mp3 No strangers to difficult times, Reena and I hit the ground running with this episode. We’re covering: the rights of a tenant when tree roots damage a sewer and cause flooding from that most undesirable of sources: the toilet the building with a diminishing valuation and a novel offer from a […]
264. A strata manager’s guide to engaging a strata lawyer
https://media.blubrry.com/yourstrataproperty/p/yourstratapropertypodcast.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/2021_05_18_Reena_Van_Aalst_264.mp3 In answer to a listener question, Reena shares her best practice tips for owners corporations engaging strata lawyers, including how to ensure expectations are set and met and owners are not overcharged. Plus I share a recent client win in a ‘pets case’, one which should have arrived much earlier than […]
265. 4 steps to a successful strata mediation
https://media.blubrry.com/yourstrataproperty/p/yourstratapropertypodcast.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/2021_05_25_Amanda_Farmer_265.mp3 Mediation is something most owners, committee members and managers are likely to experience at some point in their strata journey. In this episode, I share my tips for a successful mediation, including: how to find out if you need to mediate at all why I don’t file supporting documents with a […]
266. Committee member tag team & beware outdated agency agreement
https://media.blubrry.com/yourstrataproperty/p/yourstratapropertypodcast.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/2021_06_01_Reena_Van_Aalst_266.mp3 Reena discovers an experienced strata management company relying on an out-of-date template agency agreement and I remind committees that co-owner ‘tag teams’ are not on. Links mentioned: Get the transcript here! Section 34 – Acting members of strata committee – Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW) Section 31 – Subsection […]
277. The $800 leak fixed for $2.5m: how we’re getting strata remed
https://media.blubrry.com/yourstrataproperty/p/yourstratapropertypodcast.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/2021_09_02_Ross_Taylor_277.mp3 When it comes to waterproofing, Ross Taylor is a man who can “see leaks on the drawings”. He’s working closely with the NSW government to ensure our future apartment buildings are a little more watertight than they have been so far. But in today’s conversation, we tackle a different issue: why […]