Dogged denial leads to barking madness
When it comes to excuses and denial, pet owners can be even worse than doting parents. It’s never the dog or cat’s fault – there’s always some factor other than…
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.
Strata law reforms delayed … again
Apartment owners fearing they will be forced by neighbours to sell their homes to developers, or dreading the tread of parking wardens in their car parks, have been given a…
Rant: To the barricades … or the pub?
Another week in StrataLand and another selection of questions on Flat Chat – some new, some returns to old favourites and a few that are frankly well out of left…
Dear idiot: How to manage angry emails
When is a determined owner an email pest? Or, to put it another way, how do you tell the difference between someone with a legitimate complaint, who won’t let it…
Drawing the line on holiday lets
There’s been a lot said and written about Airbnb-style short-term lets in apartment blocks – not least in this column – but where do you draw the line between enjoying…
New strata laws explained
We seem to have been talking about strata law changes for the last 100 years and certainly we are on the brink of the biggest shake-up of strata law in…
Strata troublemakers nailed
Are you a criminal, a rebel or a know-all? Or is it your neighbour who’s one of apartment living’s permanent pests and constant troublemakers. Strata lawyer Amanda Farmer, founder member…
How can you put a strata pro in charge?
How bad does your strata committee have to be before a tribunal will sack them and appoint a strata manager to take over? If you can’t vote the committee out,…
Recycle bikes – even if you’re breaking the law
A friend got a bike over Christmas. Nothing fancy – just a second-hand 12-speed rattler with sit-up handlebars and a basket on the front. When she approached her building manager…
NCAT: New name, same problems?
Way back in the early days of Flat Chat – about 11 years ago – I wrote a piece for the Sydney Morning Herald called “Send In The Clowns” which…
Time running out for balcony barbecues
The new NSW legislation due to come in mid-year doesn’t specifically ban balcony barbecues – or even barbecue smoke – but it does make it a lot easier for those…
How to register and log in
There seems to be a little confusion among some readers about how to get on to the Forum and post questions and comments, so I thought I would put together…