Roundup: Seven tricky questions for the strata experts
OK, we’ve only a few days to go until Strata Matters (aka Flat Chat Live) the OCN owners day so I thought I’d give you a taste of the questions…
Past Posts
These posts go all the way back to the raw versions of my Flat Chat columns for the Sydney Morning Herald’s Domain section over th e past 15 years. Some of the issues are specific to New South Wales, some are universal. There will almost certainly be differences in strata law between NSW and other states and countries and the laws have changed over that timespan too.
If you have a serious problem, contact the agencies (in Australia) listed in our contacts sections. Or contact a properly qualified and experienced strata lawyer. These columns should not be regarded as a substitute for professional legal advice.
Fire safety questions have a surprisingly simple answer
Last week we looked at fire ordinances and old apartment blocks, but recent headlines have mostly been about shiny new buildings and the flammable cladding that makes them look so…
How not to get your fingers burned over fire safety
Considering how few fatalities there are in apartment fires, the dangers from unit block blazes do seem to occupy a lot of bureaucratic brain space. On the other hand, it…
Roundup: Book now for the fun and factual Strata Matters owners day
Over here at Flat Chat we’re getting very excited about the Strata Matters owners’ day seminar thingy in a couple of weeks. Yes, we will be talking about cladding, yes…
Roundup: How big a deal is the size of your unit?
Of all the things you might have to sacrifice to be able to afford an apartment to buy or rent, how far down the list would size rate? Less important…
Click-power a real option as online meetings take off
In the old days, when strata blocks were mostly two or three-storey walk-ups, everybody was on the committee and communication was chats in the hallway and notes slipped under doors.…
Roundup: TV, radio, books, Flat Chat Live – it’s strata Showtime!
We’re in the middle a bit of a media frenzy here at Flat Chat HQ. Last Wednesday I was on TV on Ten’s Studio10 talking about how Kings Cross…
The copy-cat trap: paying for cut and paste by-laws
Imagine you have commissioned a photograph of your apartment block from a local artist and they come up with a beautiful image that shows the building to its best…
Strata madness – tell us what’s driving you crazy
Is something bugging you? I mean, is there anything about living in strata that’s REALLY getting your goat, curdling your blood and leaving your mustard uncut. At the OCN Strata…
Four essential questions for a first AGM
Strata buildings’ AGMs can happen at virtually any point on the calendar but the beginning of the year is a peak period for those occasionally tempestuous, often tepid, always rare…
Roundup: Flat Chat live is back – better than ever
OK, folks, try to contain your excitement but the all-singing, all dancing Flat Chat Live is back on the agenda To be fair, it’s not called that any more, it’s…
Codes of conduct and standing orders rule!
This week’s column in the Australian Financial Review has raised the issue of codes of conduct for committee members and standing orders for committee meetings. These are two very different…