Are commissions such a sin?
The strata management industry is split over an issue that some claim could be the death of the small local operators across Australia. The question keenly debated at the Strata…
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.
Party flats ban overturned
The war against party flats took a turn for the worse last week when the Supreme Court in Melbourne overturned a decision by the Victorian Buildings Appeals Board that short-term…
When tenants can’t take it any more
A few weeks ago I wrote about the options available to owners to take action when things go wrong in their strata scheme. When it comes to tenants, there is…
Yes, you can curb proxy harvesting
“Are there any limits on how many proxies can one person hold to vote in a meeting?” writes Chak in the Flat Chat Forum. “If one person holds 10 proxies,…
Chorus of approval – but is it legal?
QUESTION: We have ten apartments in our block and an Executive Committee of five. I am Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary as none of the other committee members has taken much…
Tenants driven out by building work
If work on common property means reduction or loss of rent in a tenanted property, should the Owners Corporation – that’s all the other owners – compensate the landlord? The…
Time for more discrimination?
When I first started writing about strata I came across a story about a residential village plan in the USA which was open to anyone … except lawyers. The developer…
Is a ‘no kids’ ban such a bad thing?
A Current Affair last week ‘exposed’ an apartment building that doesn’t allow families with kids – or even pregnant women – to buy into it. As a result, according to…
Give and take on direct debits
QUESTION: I received a letter from my letting agent telling me I must give them permission to Direct Debit my account to pay the rent. I do not use Direct…
Tenant dogged by the power of one
A couple of weeks ago we brought you the tale of the tenant who had it written into her lease that she could have her dog in her home, only…
Heavy levies Vs the loan arrangers
Stories of unit blocks having no money in the bank when they need repairs are legion. There has long been a culture in strata of leaving repairs to “the next…
Confusion reigns in scramble parking
Should parking be less of a scramble for owners than tenants? A Flat Chat reader has written to us about his unit block where he parks his car in an…