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 […]
058. In Conversation With Reena Van Aalst – Agents Throwing Out Records and Creative First Home Buyers
This week, I am ‘in conversation’ with Reena Van Aalst, as we deal with managing agents who throw out their client’s records without first seeking consent, and share ideas from a very creative young couple looking to get into the Sydney property market. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! www.yourstrataproperty.com.au amanda@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
055. Veronica Morgan On Why Strata Purchasers Should Work With A Buyer’s Agent
You probably know her from Foxtel’s Location Location Location series: this week, I am privileged to be in the company of Veronica Morgan, who explains to us the important role of buyers agents, especially when it comes to buying into strata. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! www.gooddeeds.com.au Real Estate Buyers Agents Association of Australia (REBAA) […]
053. How To Deal With An Owner Making Private Use of Common Property Without Approval (NSW law)
In this week’s short [14 min] solo episode, I cover off the steps involved in rectifying the increasingly common situation of a lot owner exclusively using an area of the common property without the necessary approval of the owners corporation. This is the advice I give to buildings who find themselves in such a situation. […]
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? […]
050. In Conversation with Reena Van Aalst – BMC Personality Clashes And Embarking On Collective Sale
This week, I am “in conversation” with Reena Van Aalst. How does a BMC get rid of a bully? I help an owners corporation navigate a lot owner’s claim for damage allegedly caused by the owners corporation’s contractor, and Reena shares a surprising NCAT win. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! www.yourstrataproperty.com.au/podcasts amanda@yourstrataproperty.com.au 002. Reena […]
049. Collective Sale and Renewal with Leisha de Aboitiz (references to NSW law)
This week, I am joined by lawyer Leisha de Aboitiz of Massons Lawyers, as we discuss the collective sale and renewal process under the new NSW law, whereby 75% of lot owners may vote to sell or redevelop the entire strata scheme. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! www.massons.com www.massons.com/team/leisha-de-aboitiz/ Part 10 Strata Schemes Development […]
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 […]
047. What You Must Know Before Buying In To Strata
This week, I speak to Nicole Johnston of Deakin University about a frightening truth uncovered by her research: the LACK of information strata owners are receiving at the point of purchase. This is a valuable summary of what you should be investigating before buying into strata. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! www.deakin.edu.au Nicole Johnston […]
046. In Conversation with Reena Van Aalst – signing DAs and problems with NCAT penalties
This week I’m trying something different: I am “in conversation” with Reena Van Aalst – one of this country’s top strata managers. We cover off the week’s frustrations and wins in the world of strata. Let me know what you think of the format and we’ll keep it up! Links Mentioned Get the transcript here! […]
045. Know Thy Neighbours
In this week’s short episode [## mins], I share with you a blog post about community living that I stumbled across recently – a post which reminds of the impact we can have when we’re truly present in our communities. Links Mentioned Get the transcript here! www.optimallivingdaily.com www.minimalists.com/neighbors
033. Things That Can Go Horribly Wrong When Buying Into A New Strata Plan And How To Avoid Them – with Sean McNamara
A member of the YSP online community, Sean McNamara shares his tips on how buildings can proactively deal with dodgy developers, quickly and cost-effectively. Look out for the bonus download. Links Mentioned Get the transcript here! https://yourstrataproperty.com.au/membership https://yourstrataproperty.com.au/newbuilding Books Mentioned The Selfish Gene (Popular Science) by Richard Dawkins NSW Strata & Community Schemes Management & […]
029. The immense power held by strata owners – with Cathy Sherry
I am privileged to be joined by Cathy Sherry of the University of New South Wales, as she explains how strata owners have been given almost unlimited power to legislate for their neighbours through by-laws. Links Mentioned Get the transcript here! Register for the OCN event with Amanda Owners Corporation SP 501391P v Balcombe [2016] […]
028. How Electronic Voting Will Drive Strata Owner Engagement – with Dee Pannell (references to NSW and QLD legislation)
This week Dee Pannell of Strata Vote explains how electronic voting has the potential to dramatically change the way we attend and vote at strata meetings – with reference to NSW and QLD legislation. Links Mentioned Get the transcript here! http://www.stratavote.com.au/ 1300 938 683 Books Mentioned Purple Cow, New Edition: Transform Your Business by Being […]
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
022. How To Manage Small Strata Blocks – With Melissa Macpherson
This week, Melissa Macpherson of The Small Block Strata Company shares her insights on the unique aspects of managing small strata blocks. Links Mentioned Get the transcript here! http://thesmallblockstrataco.com.au/ +1300 764 602 Books Mentioned Extreme South by James Castrission One Crowded Hour by Tim Bowden
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 […]
020. Can You Legally Record A Strata Meeting? – with Hallie Warnock
With specific reference to NSW law, Hallie Warnock from Lawyers Chambers explains how you might legally record a strata meeting using a recording device. Links Mentioned Get the transcript here! https://yourstrataproperty.com.au/ebooks/ http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/sa/SASC/2010/266.html http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/sda2007210/ www.lawyerschambers.com.au Books Mentioned To Kill a Mockingbird The Autobiography of Malcolm X
019. How To Deal With Pets In Strata Buildings – Dr Emma Power
I speak to Dr Emma Power, researcher from the University of Western Sydney, about her speciality area: pets in strata buildings. Links Mentioned Get the transcript here! @dremmapower Pets in Strata Article from theconversation.com Books Mentioned Dogs in Galleries by Maddalena Paola Winspeare, Maddalena De Luca. Disegni di Susanna Coseschi
018. How Unit Entitlements Are Dealt Within Subdivisions, And How To Deal With Illegal Encroachments
In this 15 minute episode, I answer a listener question about how unit entitlements are dealt with when common property is subdivided. I also explain how to cure an illegal encroachment onto common property. Link Mentioned: Get the transcript here! Key Points/Timestamps 00:24 – Introduction and Overview 01:13 – How does subdivision affect the lot […]
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 […]
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 – […]
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 […]
When a settlement isn’t really a settlement
On 15 December 2015 a decision was handed down in the Supreme Court of NSW in The Owners- Strata Plan No. 58087 v Matthews. The dispute related to whether or not a lot owner was entitled to park in a visitors’ parking space. In this case, the Owners Corporation claimed that the dispute and associated legal […]
Strata levy recovery: the requirement for expenses to be reasonable, but not proportionate
The NSW Supreme Court has reminded us of the requirement for section 80 levy recovery expenses to be ‘reasonably incurred’ and ‘reasonable in amount’. If there is any doubt, costs will be referred for assessment. IIB Australia Pty Ltd v Owners Strata Plan 76024 (No 2) [2015] NSWSC 929 (16 July 2015) was an appeal from a decision […]
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 […]
Failing to be clear is fatal in litigation
In APX Projects Pty Limited v The Owners Strata Plan No. 64025, a lot owner attempted to:- argue that a large payment made to settle debt recovery proceedings should have been allocated to sinking fund levies rather than outstanding legal fees; and bring an action against the treasurer, on behalf of the owners corporation. The owner failed […]
Court of Appeal finds strata schemes may restrospectively approve legal action
December 2014 saw two decisions of the NSW Court of Appeal confirm the effect of section 80D of the Strata Schemes Management Act. This is the section that requires legal action to be approved by the general meeting if the reasonably estimated costs of taking that action exceed the amounts stipulated in the Regulation (currently $1000 per lot or $12,500 […]
Appealing to the Tribunal? Don’t miss the deadline
Amended provisions in the Strata Schemes Management Act which came into effect 1 January 2014 were recently put to the test by Lawyers Chambers before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (“NCAT”). In the case of Malcolm Patrick and Margarita Patrick v The Owners-Strata Plan No 9079 [2014] NSWCATCD 232 (2 December 2014), the NCAT accepted our argument that it […]