060. In Conversation – New Rules for Engaging Lawyers and Banning Smoking Building-Wide

This week, Reena and I cover off the new requirements when it comes to strata buildings engaging lawyers, including whether or not cost agreements need to be circulated. Also, can a building ban smoking both on the common areas AND within lots? Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! www.yourstrataproperty.com.au amanda@yourstrataproperty.com.au Books Mentioned: Gary Bugden: Strata…

038. Why it is Vital for Strata Owners to Add Value to their Building – with Gordon Streight (relevant to all jurisdictions)

One of NSW’s most experienced strata committee members, Gordon Streight, shares his secrets for “adding value” to your strata building. Links Mentioned Get the transcript here! http://strata-worx.com.au/ http://greenstrata.com.au/ http://www.wattblock.com.au/ Books Mentioned Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar–Your Brain’s Silent Killers by David Perlmutter The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal…

027. Why the ABMA Building Management Code is the Key to Maintaining Your Strata Property – with Lynda Kypriadakis

I speak with Lynda Kypriadakis about the ABMA Building Management Code: why it will revolutionise the sector and why you should get a copy now. Links Mentioned Get the transcript here! https://www.abma.com.au/ https://www.abma.com.au/BMCA01-form.php https://au.linkedin.com/in/lyndakypriadakis Books Mentioned Gertrude Bell: Queen of the Desert, Shaper of Nations Paperback by Georgina Howell

016. How To Increase Your Lot’s Value Via Extensions (Into Common Property)

Savina Yang and I discuss two ways you can use part of the common property to increase the value and amenity of your unit. Link mentioned: Get the transcript here! Key Points/Timestamps 00:27 – Introduction and Overview 01:07 – How to increase the value of your Strata unit by extending into common property 02:27 -…

Short term letting in strata

Last week, I was invited by strata management company Dynamic Property Services to sit on a panel, together with other strata ‘experts’, and answer a range of questions asked by strata owners. One of those questions was: what to do about short term letting in strata? Below I share with you my personal notes made…

Landlord fined $11,000 for smoking neighbour

The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal Appeal Panel has upheld a decision to order a landlord to pay a tenant over $11,000 in compensation, declaring a unit that was permeated by smoke from a smoker downstairs was unsuitable for habitation. This is an important case because the landlord was liable for compensation even though the…

A win for builders, yet another blow for owners

The High Court has found that there is no duty of care owed by a builder to an owners corporation in respect of pure economic loss flowing from latent defects in construction work: <a href=”http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/HCA/2014/36.html”>Brookfield Multiplex Ltd v Owners Corporation Strata Plan 61288 [2014] HCA 36 (8 October 2014).</a> The building in question was a…