Welcome to our Friday Edition of Strata Life.

NSW: The City of Sydney has asked us to make special mention of their upcoming Strata 101 Workshops. For sessions covering topics such as Good Governance, Committee Roles & Responsibilities and Pets in Apartments, check our Upcoming Events section ↓ at the bottom of the newsletter or book a workshop here.

Nat: Have You Had Your Say Yet? Complete this short survey on behalf of Australian Apartment Advocacy so that they can lobby government and developers for better outcomes for those of us who choose to live and own apartments! [+ You Could Win $1000! LAST CHANCE!]

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Latest Articles

NSW: Q&A The First AGM, Building Defects and the Statutory Warranty

Leanne Habib, Premium Strata
Question: What should lot owner's know at the First AGM regarding building defects? Do we need to know about enforcing statutory warranties?

QLD: Q&A Common Property Garden Improvements and BC Indemnity

Todd Garsden, Hynes Legal
Question: Some residents have created a garden on common property. If someone gets injured in the garden, who is responsible?

WA: Q&A Access Problems with Neighbour via Shared Gate

Jordan Dinga, Abode Strata
Question: I have access problems with my next door neighbour. I was told there was a bylaw granting me access to a rear gate. How do we resolve this?

NSW: Q&A Strata Manager Complaints and Bullying

Leanne Habib,
Premium Strata
Question: We have complaints about our Strata Manager. What is the best way to remind our Strata Manager she is working for us? She borders on bullying.

NSW: Cladding Update – Lacrosse Tower Fire Decision: The Importance of Statutory Warranties

David Bannerman, Bannermans Lawyers
This case shows the importance of the statutory warranty scheme. Thankfully New South Wales now has a 6 year warranty for aluminium cladding issues. The stakes are high, and not just financial. The Grenfell disaster casts a long shadow.

QLD: Renewing Strata Insurance Increases

Wayne Stevens, UOAQ President
We would all be aware of the ‘At Least Every 5 Years Rule’ for insurance valuations. These independent valuations are compulsory and provide a reliable basis for establishing the Building Sum Insured (BSI) for our annual strata insurance. Difficulties emerge when determining the appropriate BSI for those intervening years between valuations.

Last Edition's Star Articles

NSW: Q&A Strata Title Trees and Hedges – What Can & Can’t the OC do?

Leanne Habib,
Premium Strata

NSW: Animals and hard surface floors in strata schemes: an update

Allison Benson,
Kerin Benson Lawyers

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Strata Small Scheme Solutions

NSW: Do the right thing, the best you can, show people you care
We provide our service through using the most current strata specific industry program and latest in technology. 

URGENT! LAST DAY TO ACT
QLD: The first cladding stop is approaching 
An important reminder from Hynes Legal:

We don’t need to rehash what we have written previously about the state government’s cladding laws but you can read the article again if you want to. The date for all buildings that are caught by the cladding regulations to effectively opt out of the regime (if that is the case) is 29 March. 

If you don’t opt out, your building is going to stage two, with the consequential costs, even if it is not caught. If you haven’t looked at the cladding issue, the time is nigh. LAST DAY!

National: Have Your Say and WIN
Would you like to win a $1000 prepaid visa? Then complete this short survey on behalf of Australian Apartment Advocacy so that they can lobby government and developers for better outcomes for those of us who choose to live and own apartments as our preference. The link for the survey is HERE and you have until 31 March to complete.

Remember if you have already done the survey then you will not be able to undertake it again. LAST CHANCE!

NSW: Enter the SCA NSW Strata Community and Engagement Award
The City of Sydney is a proud sponsor of SCA NSW Strata Community and Engagement Award which recognises strata schemes that are working to reduce their impact on the environment. Entries are now open and close on 31 May.

Calling for nominations from all of NSW. All nominees receive a complimentary annual membership to SCA NSW and finalists will be invited to attend the whizz bang gala dinner and awards night in Sydney.

Breaking News

Watch out: there's a ticking time BOMB for property investors


Macquarie Strata benchmarking report

NSW: After Opal Tower: UNSW researchers to investigate major building defects

 

Unfair strata rules need to be changed to enable sustainability upgrades in apartments


QLD: Hope Island apartment market facing critical undersupply of stock


Queensland on the Hunt for Dodgy Builders

 

VIC: Cladding an emergency: Bandt


The state government is under increasing pressure to amend the outdated Owners Corporation Act 2006. 


VCAT cladding decision sets “roundabout” precedent

NZ: Wellington body corporate manager downplayed Sirocco Apartment's leak issues

Upcoming Events

New South Wales


City of Sydney: Strata Skills 101 Strata Meetings: Why good governance matters Sydney: 2 Apr, 6 – 8 pm

SCA (NSW): Masterclass Sydney: 9 Apr, 8 – 10 am

City of Sydney: Strata Skills 101 Strata Meetings: The Handover: From developer to owners Sydney: 9 Apr, 6 – 8 pm

City of Sydney: Strata Skills 101 Strata Meetings: Strata Committees: Roles and responsibilities Sydney: 30 Apr, 6 – 8 pm

SCA (NSW): Strata Committee Training Chatswood: 8 May, 9 am – 1:30 pm

FMA: Resi Strata Info Network Session - Fire Sydney: 3 Jul

Victoria


Nightingale 1 public tour Brunswick: 4 Apr, 10 - 11 am

Nightingale 1 public tour Brunswick: 11 Apr, 10 - 11 am

FMA: Resi Strata Info Network Session - Fire Melbourne: 4 Jul

Upcoming Events

National


2019 SCA Conference Auckland, New Zealand: 11 - 13 June

Queensland


Strata In Skirts: Speed Networking Fortitude Valley: 29 Mar, 8 pm

Western Australia


SCA WA: SCA A100 Introduction to Strata For Strata Managers, Industry Profs & Lot Owners. Bentley: 1 - 3 Apr, 9 am - 3 pm

SCA WA: PD - The Four Pillars of Property For Strata Managers, Industry Profs & Lot Owners. Burswood: 10 Apr, 8 - 10:30 am

SCA WA: Strata Management Practice Standard (SPS) - Workshop Two Subiaco East: 24 Apr, 8:30 am - 12 pm
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