258. Reputation management for strata managers
https://media.blubrry.com/yourstrataproperty/p/yourstratapropertypodcast.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/2021_03_30_Elizabeth_Heusler_258.mp3 This week I’m chatting with PR guru Elizabeth Heusler. Elizabeth shares: how our strata managers can “kill it or win it” in their very first communication with us why saying sorry is a learned skill, not a natural ability how our strata buildings can improve their reputations and increase their attractiveness in…
252. Strata marketing 101 – with Hedley Swann
Hedley Swann of Strata Next joins me this week, sharing:
the big mistakes strata managers are making with their marketing
the real problem owners want a strata manager to solve
how the decision to serve a smaller market will guarantee you greater success
220. The immense power held by strata owners – with Cathy Sherry
This week, a blast from the past. Way back in September 2016 I spoke to Cathy Sherry about the surprisingly unfettered power strata owners have to regulate the private lives of their neighbours. At a time when this power has been tested and found to be stronger than ever (our NSW “pet” cases), I thought it opportune to revisit this popular episode.
222. Your Guide to Compulsory Appointments
This solo episode is devoted to exploring that most Draconian of interventions: the appointment of a compulsory managing agent. How do you get such an appointment? Do you really need one? And a question many owners are left asking after the event: is it really such a good idea?
244. No committee office bearers | invalid instructions to agent | reduced building sum insured
Reena and I discuss:
– what happens when a committee is deadlocked on the election of its office bearers
– why strata managers should not blindly accept their client’s instructions
– the strata loan that came to the rescue
– the Court of Appeal case confirming the power of the NSW Tribunal to award damages to lot owners.
249. Asbestos in fire door | hard flooring discrimination | unreasonable refusal
In this packed episode, Reena and I cover:
– what can be done when an owner won’t agree to their front fire door being tested for asbestos
– why anti-discrimination legislation is increasingly relevant to strata
– the owners who successfully proved the unreasonable refusal of their renovation application
– why we need more access to unreported cases from our Tribunals
– why I’m getting up at 3am this week!
261. Handover of hard copy files | beware the work email address
Reena’s attempts to put together a complete file for her new client are frustrated when she receives only hard copy records from the former managing agent. We discuss the legal requirements for the handover of strata books and records. I issue a warning to committee members sending emails from a work email address and we both look forward to catching up with friends and colleagues at a unique event in a few weeks’ time.
267. Registered by-laws incomplete | ballot for committee | win for disability access
This week:
– Reena wonders if renovation works by-laws registered without annexed plans are still valid
– I share a listener challenge around hotly contested committee elections
– Reena has her “biggest win since we started the podcast” and
– I help an owner achieve disability access in their building
270. Adjourning meetings without quorum
This week, Reena and I cover:
– access to CCTV footage: often controversial in our strata schemes, but what about when the footage belongs to a BMC?
– a refresher on the quorum rule, including when a chair must proceed in the absence of a quorum
and more.
272. Does an “in meeting” vote trump a “pre meeting” vote?
Reena and I cover:
– the indecisive voter: what happens when an owner votes one way via pre-meeting voting, then changes their mind and wants to vote the other way at the meeting?
– lessons from Miami and a warning to communities ignoring their repair and maintenance obligations
– the deep clean that went just right and
– the benefits of a QR Code and how to get one for your building.
*Note: this conversation was recorded a couple of weeks ago and the situation with NSW lockdown is rapidly changing. Make sure you stay up to date via NSW Health and access the latest public health orders.
275. Electronic meeting ballots and agendas: a legal quandary
Reena and I cover:
– how to complete a ballot paper “in writing” during an electronic meeting
– the surprising item missing from our strata legislation
– the insurer who capitulated second time around
– a creative solution to a long-standing noise dispute
276. New law for NSW: does your “pet” by-law stack up?
On Wednesday this week, it became much easier for residents in NSW strata buildings to keep pets in their homes. In this episode, I unpack the new legislation, including its impact on existing by-laws that restrict the keeping of animals.
Member call no. 20: Demystifying BMCs with strata manager Andrew
https://vimeo.com/420528016/64a6ad08e6?share=copy 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…
246. Tree roots | insurance valuations | fence dispute win
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 valuer
why compulsory appointments won’t give you what you wish for, and
the self-represented owner who took on her building over a fence and won at NCAT.
264. A strata manager’s guide to engaging a strata lawyer
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 it did.
265. 4 steps to a successful strata mediation
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 mediation application
who should attend the mediation session
and more.
266. Committee member tag team & beware outdated agency agreement
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.