Key issue
QUESTION: I’ve just been sent a form from the building where I have a rental property, demanding all sorts of private information such as my home address and phone number…
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.
Can’t pay, won’t pay
Nobody likes paying levies but who pays to run the building when others just won’t do it? Two correspondents have this problem. One is chair of a neighbourhood association where…
Smoked out of home
There’s a story bouncing around at the moment about a guy on the North Shore, a cancer victim who may be forced to sell his unit because residents in apartments…
Riding for a fall
QUESTION: A new tenant in our building insists on leaving her two bikes in the walkway to our building, blocking access. We have asked her repeatedly to move them to…
Students flattened
I was recently asked on a radio show how students can get rental properties when rents are so high and vacancies are so low. I said landlords prefer people who…
Suburban strife
It’s a familiar tale. A friend has a neighbour who got a dog which was very territorial and would bark all day when its owners were out at work. It…
No-name shame
THIS COLUMN WAS BASED ON AN EDITED VERSION OF A DISCUSSION THAT ORIGINATED IN THE FLAT CHAT FORUM. YOU CAN SEE ALL THE EXCHANGES IN FULL – AND JOIN IN…
Party plan
QUESTION: My apartment has good views of the fireworks so my friends have decided I’ll be having parties at Christmas and New Year. I get on OK with my neighbours…
What makes strata tick
What issue do you think takes up most of your executive committee members’ time? Disputes over levies? Smoking and smells? The headline-grabbing issue of laundry on balconies? A survey by…
Flood tests tenants
QUESTION: Recently the drain in our ensuite bathroom floor (not the shower) overflowed and flooded the main bedroom and all down the hallway. The carpets were ripped up and slow…
Fears over loan arranger
QUESTION: I’m chairman of a Seventies block of 30 flats that requires major work on internal and external cracking. We have had many quotes from engineers over many years and…
Two’s company
QUESTION: My flatmate and I have shared for years and we’ve both had friends, family or lovers stay over for a few nights, but nothing regular. However, I really don’t…