How are you enjoying the format of the new newsletter? We hope you are finding it easier to read than the our previous very long layout. After feedback from many of our readers, we decided to condense the articles. There always seems to be so much happening in strata to write about! Stand by for more great changes coming up!

Do you have a Strata Position to fill? Or maybe you are looking for a change in 2019? Check our exciting jobs (in exotic locations!) towards the bottom of the newsletter ↓ . The OPPORTUNITY may be just what you're after.

If you enjoy our newsletters, please forward them on ☞.

Visit the Promote Your Business page

Join our growing list of Sponsors. Take advantage of our increasing traffic stats. Advertising spots are limited. Lock down your spot ready for a great 2019!

Latest Articles

WA: Reforms to WA Strata Legislation - As a Lot Owner, Should I Care?


Andrew Chambers, Chambers Franklyn Strata Management
Absolutely! We have summarised some of the changes that will affect you. Keep an eye out for more in-depth analysis in upcoming articles.
 

NSW: Q&A Owners Corporation Meetings – Correspondence, Times and Frequency

Leanne Habib, Premium Strata
Question: Can I appoint an agent to receive all correspondence including owners corporation meetings information and levy notices? My strata manager insists this must go to the registered owner.

ACT: Q&A Pursuing Builders for Off The Plan Apartment Defects
Christopher Kerin, Kerin Benson Lawyers

Question: An off the plan apartment has significant plumbing issues. The defects affect the whole building, not only individual apartments. Should the Body Corporate by pursuing the builders?
 

QLD: Q&A Who is Responsible for Maintaining Common Property – Exclusive Use Areas?

Frank Higginson, Hynes Legal
Question: Several Lots have timber decks designated as “Common Property – Exclusive Use”. Who is responsible for maintaining the timber decking? Would it be up to each lot owner or the Body Corporate?

SA: Q&A Who Does the Strata Manager Really Take Instruction From?


Tony Johnson of Horner Management
Question: Is it appropriate for the Strata Manager to refuse to take instruction from the required number of owners? Can the Management Committee refuse to hold the EGM?
 

NSW: Top 9 Tips for Holding a Strata Meeting via Teleconference

Allison Benson, Kerin Benson Lawyers
In the post 30 November 2016 era of the ability to hold strata meetings by electronic my prediction is that Owners Corporations will increasingly use teleconferencing. We get you started with 9 Dos .. and then 6 Don'ts for holding strata meetings via teleconference.

Last Edition's Star Articles

QLD: Q&A Boundary and Common Property Issues

Peter Hunt, Mathews Hunt Legal
Question: We are having a boundary and common property issue. We have a window garden which only we have access to. The window box is within our unit footprint but the body corp committee has informed us we need to remove it.

NSW: Fines For Breaching Strata ByLaws


Leanne Habib, Premium Strata
Question: Is the owners corporation able to issue ‘on the spot’ fines for what they consider breaching strata bylaws? Is this even legal? How do we challenge this?
 

Our Sponsors

PSC Property Lync Insurance Brokers

WA: The Lync to Safer Strata
At PSC Property Lync, we go above and beyond. That’s why we promise to be transparent with our quotes from the outset.

Lifestyle Clotheslines

Aust. Wide: Australia’s premium clothesline and washing line supplier & installer 
Installation of new clotheslines, removal and updating of existing clotheslines and clothesline installations.

Big News

Victorian Airbnb unit owners can now be fined and banned
Jim Malo, Domain

Members of an owners corporation or strata community can take their grievances about owners of rowdy short-stay apartments to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, which can lead to fines of up to $1100 for owners in question and $2000 in compensation for affected residents.
 

Extra fire alarms put in a fortnight before blaze ripped through tower

Simone Fox Koob, Robyn Grace & Emilie Baxter, The Sydney Morning Herald
Extra smoke alarms were installed near balconies, close to the cladding, in a Melbourne CBD apartment block just two weeks before it was hit by a fast-moving fire thought to have been fuelled by combustible cladding.
QLD: If your building has been identified for the Safer Buildings combustible cladding checklist, you may be wondering what will be asked of you.

Strata Positions Vacant
Have a strata position to advertise? It's FREE. Contact us here.
State: Queensland
Location: Townsville
Role / Position: Strata Manager
Email: [email protected]
State: Queensland
Location: Cairns
Role / Position: Strata Manager
Email: [email protected]
State: Queensland
Location: Cairns
Role / Position: Trainee / Junior Strata Manager
Email: [email protected]
State: Western Australia
Location: Perth City
Role / Position: Strata Insurance Broking Opportunity
Email: [email protected]
Link: More information

Recent Comments
NSW: I live in a 2 villa strata scheme in NSW. I bought my villa in 2011. My conveyancer said there was no owners corporation as such and that the only expense was shared insurance for the two separate villas ........
QLD: What's the situation when a body corporate chairperson proposes that the committee assess the current BCM against other body corporate managers to determine if we continue with our current manager? ....... 

Breaking News

Banking Royal Commission: What Does It Mean for the Housing Market?

60 Minutes: Analyst Martin North says Australian high-rises could become 'slums'

The construction industry through the lens of the Opal Tower

National Property Clock: Units

NSW: NSW: Cladding Registration Deadline Looming. Follow our 5 Step Guide

Terraces before towers: Sydneysiders want more medium-density housing

Housing slump bites as Sydney apartments line up for fire sale

Special council meeting agrees to proceed with $300 rates rise for shire apartments and units

QLD: Parts of Queensland declared disaster zones as emergency services evacuate thousands


Understanding adjudicators’ orders


VIC: Ten beds found crammed inside some apartments in fire-ravaged tower

Melbourne apartment tower fire fuelled by combustible cladding on Spencer St high-rise

Lacrosse cladding is being replaced

 

‘Slow process’ ridding apartments of fire-prone cladding

 

Strata boss says apartment aluminum cladding must be regulated

 

Why you can’t know which buildings have dangerous cladding


ACT: Canberra unit prices record the steepest annual fall in more than 20 years
 

Unit owners punished for driving ACT's economic growth: strata boss

 

Fire safety consequences grow as more high-rises built in Canberra

 

ACT government warned design flaw left Canberra apartments at risk of fire


WA: Perth tradies face angry clients after popular fence product discontinued
 

NZ: Mt Maunganui deck tower dispute case 'precedent-setting': apartment sector chiefs

Upcoming Events

New South Wales


City of Sydney: Recycle your unwanted electronic goods Alexandria: 9 Feb, 9 am – 3 pm

OCN: Members Meeting Sydney: 9 Feb, 10 am – 12 pm

Seniors Rights Service: Strata Living in English Kogarah: 18 Feb, 10 am – 12 pm

SCA (NSW): Strata Community Title Committee Training Course Chatswood: 19 & 26 Feb, 9 am – 1:30 pm

SCA NSW: Masterclass Sydney: 20 Feb, 8 - 10 am

UNSW Continuing Legal Education (CLE): Property law update: Sunset clauses; share economy; strata plans Sydney: 21 Feb, 8:30 am – 12:45 pm

Seniors Rights Service: Strata Living in Mandarin Hurstville: 22 Feb, 12 – 2 pm

SCA NSW: Sailing Day Darling Point: 22 Feb, 12 pm onwards

Our Energy Future: Saving energy in your apartment - Northern Beaches Council Warriewood: 19 Mar, 6:30 – 8 pm

Victoria


Nightingale Housing: Nightingale 1 private tour Brunswick: 21 Feb, 2 – 3 pm

Nightingale Housing: Nightingale 1 private tour Brunswick: 28 Feb, 2 – 3 pm

NABERS: Energy & Water for Apartment Buildings Melbourne: 12 Mar

Upcoming Events

Queensland


Stansure Strata: Body Corporate Information Seminar Bundaberg: 11 Feb, 8 am

Stansure Strata: Body Corporate Information Seminar Rockhampton: 12 Feb, 2 pm

Stansure Strata: Body Corporate Information Seminar Gladstone: 13 Feb, 8 am

BCCM: Enforcing body corporate by-laws Webinar: 27 Feb, 2 pm

NABERS: Energy & Water for Apartment Buildings Brisbane: 6 Mar

Western Australia


Perth City Farm: Composting 101; Grow - Cook - Connect East Perth: 16 Feb, 9 – 11 am

SCA WA Owner Workshop: Committee Training TBA: 19 Feb, 1 – 5 pm

SCA WA: Strata Management Practice Standard (SPS) - Workshop One Subiaco East: 27 Feb, 8:30 am – 12 pm

Follow us for your most up-to-date and comprehensive stream of strata news.
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Have you subscribed to this newsletter? Sign up now!