Double dipper
QUESTION: My landlord parks his car in my space when I’m at work so he can use the building’s pool and gym. Sometimes I come home to find he’s still…
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.
Old blocks, new regs
NB: This topic was originally posted as “Old Buildings, New Regs” (below) before being selected as a Flat Chat topic. QUESTION: Our strata building is approximately 40 years and it…
Fair shares
QUESTION: My flatmate and I have been getting on really well but a couple of months ago she moved her boyfriend into her room on what seems to be a…
Reonovation not revolution
QUESTION: My friend and landlord of my (very cold) flat wants to install a skylight over the bathroom, duct a range-hood through the roof tiles and put proper insulation in…
OFT floored again
When, oh, when is the Office of Fair Trading going to wake up and smell the varnish on wooden floors? While unit owners are losing sleep and/or money because of…
Pet politics
QUESTION: I am the chairman of a small unit block and we wish to amend our pets by-law so that occupants who are owners can have one cat or a…
Power of one
Of all the many variations on strata, the two-unit duplex or villa is potentially the most fractious. With only two owners, everything can trundle along happily until there’s a falling…
Things that make you go woof!
Recently a bloke in a flat across the street was having trouble lighting his barbie and the application of ‘accelerant’ was required. Whoomph! Suddenly there were flames from his Hibachi…
Positives of negative gearing
My Dad says I’m wasting my money on rent when it could be going into a mortgage and he’s offered to lend me $35,000 for the deposit on a flat. …
Big family – huge problem
QUESTION: I’m searching for a home to rent for us and our seven children. We’ve put our names down for several large properties but we are knocked back again and…
Off the plan – on the money
Proposals for 30 projects totalling over 3000 units – including fake beaches and rooftop cinemas – have been lodged with City of Sydney Council, according to recent reports, while off-the-plan…
Tenants stub out smokes
A couple of weeks ago we asked readers of Domain’s online pages whether they would be more or less likely to rent a home if there was a no-smoking clause…