We can’t ask for a bond the way a landlord can for a tenant…
Many buildings have a removals damage bond that has to be paid by any parties moving in or out. But you would need a by-law and they sould like they would refuse to pay it anyway.
Is there anything we can do to encourage them to leave quietly with no damage, keys all handed over, belongings removed common storage and so on?
Unreasonable people don’t listen to reason. If they do damage property, then it’s criminal damage – nothing to do with strata even if they were staying put.
The stuff left in common property is covered by the Uncollected Goods Act 1995, not the Strata Schemes Management Act. The owners corporation can remove items left on common property, but they must follow specific procedures based on the goods’ value. Goods are categorized as perishable, low value (<$1,000), medium value ($1,000-$20,000), high value (>$20,000), personal documents/memorabilia, or motor vehicles. Low-value items require 14 days’ written notice before disposal, while medium-value items require 28 days. High-value items require an order from the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT).