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…
059. The Good, Bad And Ugly Financial Reforms For NSW Strata Buildings – With Joel Russell Of Kelly + Partners
This week, I chat in depth with Joel Russell of Kelly & Partners about the key legislative reforms impacting strata buildings and managers when it comes to financial reporting. There are some great tips here for buildings and managers looking to get on top of these important changes. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! www.yourstrataproperty.com.au…
056. In Conversation With Reena Van Aalst – The Role of The Chairperson and a Successful Council Parking Agreement
This week, I am ‘in conversation’ with Reena Van Aalst, as we celebrate a community working successfully with the local council to solve parking problems and refresh our knowledge on the limited role of a chairperson. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! www.yourstrataproperty.com.au amanda@yourstrataproperty.com.au 041. What Makes A Great Strata Committee
052. In Conversation with Reena Van Aalst – Why Are Strata Managers Charging ‘Compliance’ Fees?
This week, I am “in conversation” with Reena Van Aalst. Among other things, we discuss the ‘compliance fee’ that many strata buildings have been charged by their strata managers over the past two weeks, apparently representing the cost of their strata manager coming to terms with the new legislation in NSW. Is this charge legal?…
051. How To Prepare Your Strata Property For Sale – With Paton Jamieson
This week, I chat to one of Sydney’s most charming real estate agents: Paton Jamieson, who offers his top tips when it comes to preparing your strata unit for sale. Links Mentioned: http://www.patonjamieson.com.au Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Eden – Bondi Junction Spruce – Camperdown Paton Jamieson’s Contact Information: Mobile Number: 0416 246 969
048. In Conversation with Reena Van Aalst – Overly Eager Agents and Extended By-law Registration Periods
This week, I am “in conversation” with Reena Van Aalst once again. Reena gives us the inside scoop on what some managers are going to get their buildings signed up to new agency agreements before 30 May 2017. I share a win for a long-suffering building, whose committee was able to stay strong in the…
043. Strata Managers vs Real Estate Agents – with Tim McKibbin of REI (NSW)
This week I interview Tim McKibbin, the CEO of the Real Estate Institute of NSW, on the difference between strata managers and real estate agents and how they each might learn to work together effectively. Links Mentioned Get the transcript here! The Real Estate Institute of New South Wales Books Mentioned Stephen R. Covey’s The 7…
021. How The New NSW Laws Affect Your Strata Management Contracts – With Natalie Fitzgerald
Natalie Fitzgerald of Strata Sense explains how the incoming NSW strata law is going to impact strata managers’ agency agreements, including the steps you should be taking now to prepare for change. Links Mentioned Get the transcript here! www.stratasense.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-fitzgerald-16406934 http://womeninstrata.com.au/ http://nsw.stratacommunity.org.au/educationprofessional-development/seminars/city-sydney-strata-101-sessions/ Books Mentioned The Art of Asking: How I Learned to Stop Worrying…
017. How To Deal With Noise in Strata Buildings
Stephen Raff of Ace Body Corporate shares his ideas on how strata residents might deal with noise problems. Links Mentioned Get the transcript here! http://www.acebodycorp.com.au/orderbooks/ Books Mentioned Strata Living Stories: An Insider’s Guide To The Weirdest, Wackiest and Downright Hilarious Things Residents Do! By Stephen Raff Ace Body Corporate Handbook Our Journey – Achieving…
014. How To Improve And Model Behaviour In Strata Communities
How To Improve And Model Behaviour In Strata Communities Links mentioned Get the transcript here! http://blockstrata.com.au/ http://michaelteys.com/ Level Headed – Block Strata Books Mentioned Growing Up – How Strata Title Bodies Might Learn to Behave Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life Good to…
Recovering unpaid strata levies
For those involved in strata living in NSW, the legal regime for the collection of unpaid strata levies can be confusing. That confusion is made worse when strata managers, lot owners and committee members receive conflicting advice from lawyers experienced in this area of the law. Some common questions include:- is an owners corporation entitled…
013. The Keys To Effective Strata Budgets
The Keys To Effective Strata Budgets Links mentioned Get the transcript here! Andrew Terrell LinkedIn Profile https://wellmanstrata.com.au/our-people/andrew-terrell http://www.flat-chat.com.au Books / Podcasts mentioned: Strata Living Stories by Stephen Raff Planet Money (Podcast) Freakonomics (Podcast) Timferrissshow.com StartUp (Podcast) Your Strata Property (Podcast) Key Points/Timestamps 00:24 – Introduction and Overview 02:15 – Why it’s important to have a…
010. Macquarie Bank’s Jenny Strong And Amanda Farmer Discuss Strata Finance And How To Use It Effectively
Resources / Links mentioned Get the transcript here! http://www.macquarie.com.au/strataloans Books mentioned Open: An Autobiography – Andre Agassi Key Points / Timestamps 00:24 – Intro and Overview 01:31 – Jenny Strong discusses various ways an owner’s corporation might meet the cost of repairs, maintenance and upgrades to their building 03:16 – Why would a building opt for…
008. The Truth About By-Laws In Your Strata Property (And How To Ensure You’re Not In Breach)
How To Ensure You’re Not In Breach Of Your By-Laws Resources / Links Mentioned Get the transcript here! https://yourstrataproperty.com.au http://lawyerschambers.com.au/ Books Mentioned Screw It, Let’s Do It – Richard Branson Key Points / Timestamps 00:24 – Intro and Overview 01:06 – Amanda Farmer invites the listeners to grab a copy of the Strata Essentials e-book…
Article: 6 ways to ensure an efficient strata meeting
Now and then I am called upon to attend strata meetings on behalf of lot owners, owners corporations or strata managers. Over the years, I have picked up a few tips comes to the way in which an efficient strata meeting is run. Here are 6:
6 things you absolutely must know about owning a strata property
Strata essentials: these are the 6 things you absolutely must know about owning a strata property: by-laws, levies, lot property vs common property, meetings, strata manager, committee.
005. How An Owner Advocate Helped A Strata Owner Overcome A Bad Case Of Bullying From His Strata Corporation — With Kellie Wright
Resources / Links Mentioned Get the transcript here! http://wrightandlee.com.au/ Books Mentioned https://www.abma.com.au/ Key Points / Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction and Overview 01:04 — What is an owner advocate? 01:52 — Why is it critical for Strata owners to have an owner advocate? 02:49 — Strata legislation can be very complex and overwhelming for many investors 03:24 — Case…
Article: how private are your personal details?
What do your owners think happens to the personal information they provide to you? Do you warn owners that their personal information may be made available to those inspecting the books and records of the scheme? This could include postal address, telephone number and email address.
Article: recovering unpaid strata levies and why strata managers should not be recording ‘expenses’ on owner ledgers
Due to popular demand, I have prepared this paper setting out my advice on the best practice to be applied when recovering unpaid strata levies, including my thoughts on the practice of recording ‘expenses’ on owner ledgers.
Article: is your strata scheme dysfunctional?
You may have heard of the television sitcom Arrested Development. It’s about a man called Michael Bluth who tries to do the right thing and strives to keep his family together, despite his highly manipulative and materialistic parents, attention seeking twin sister, socially inept little brother and highly unreliable older brother. And how could we forget Tobias Fünke, his brother-in-law who is a self-diagnosed ‘never-nude’ (which is ‘exactly what it sounds like’).
002. Reena Van Aalst on working with your strata manager and getting the most out of your building
Link Mentioned Get the transcript here! Books Mentioned Why Is It Always About You? : The Seven Deadly Sins of Narcissism by Sandy Hotchkiss Winning by Jack Welch The Third Space by Dr. Adam Fraser Key Points (Timestamps) 00:23 – Introduction and Overview 01:13 – Why Good Strata management is critical for strata buildings and…