How boring old proxy farmers take over trendy new buildings
This article was originally posted on Domain.com.au and the Sydney Morning Herald website. You can read more on the power and perils of proxy farming here: At best, it has been…
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.
Quiz: Pets and apartments
There’s another interactive quiz running over on our sister website Titlemagazine.com.au. What’s the best dog for a unit? Which state’s strata by-laws are most pet-friendly? When can a tenant have…
Who pays when a dog turns cat-killer?
Here’s a tragic tale to challenge pet lovers. A dog, which is not allowed to run free on common property, attacks a cat, also barred from wandering on to common…
I have a complaint – no one’s complaining
It ever there was a group of people who deserved to be called the silent majority, it’s strata tenants. Tenants make up more than half the population of strata units but…
Time already up for new unit blocks
Owners who have just moved into brand new apartment buildings may have already missed the deadline for defect claims, according to strata experts, while others may have only weeks to…
Building defects objections too little, too late
The current wailing and gnashing of teeth about the new definition of building defects has come too late to do anything about what is fundamentally a government cave-in to developers…
QUIZ: Are you suited to apartment living
In the headlong rush to apartment living for all sorts of reasons other than it’s the kind of lifestyle you want, some people might be en route for an experience…
12 New Year Resolutions for Apartment Residents
Another year has rolled around and you still haven’t got to grips with living in your block? You’ve got issues, but who hasn’t? And you have something to contribute –…
No-no notes and the neighbours from Hell
Having good relations with friendly neighbour is a blessing. But every so often somebody does or says the wrong thing and the nasty notes start flying around. Here are some…
Party smartly and avoid eviction
With party season already in full swing, here are some simple ways you can prevent your neighbours all making the same new year’s resolution: to get you out of their…
Big wins in broadband battle
Would-be commercial rivals to the National Broadband Network have suffered a triple blow in their efforts to preempt the roll-out of the NBN by hooking up high rise apartment blocks…
10 ways to lower your levies
The old adage that you get what you pay for doesn’t always apply to levies or fees for apartment buildings. Sometimes you pay too much for what you are getting.…