Air-con con trick
Amid all the complaints I we get about Executive Committees being too hard to deal with, occasionally we come across one that’s being way too accommodating. QUESTION: Tenants in the…
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.
Dumb animals – dumber owners
If there’s one issue that gets Flatchat readers’ goat it’s pets. Maybe it’s because one person’s devoted companion animal and surrogate child is another’s flea-ridden, noisy, smelly and unhygienic nuisance.…
Efficient neighbours or ruthless dictators?
When is an efficient and tightly run Executive Committee a powerful, corrupt and exclusive clique? When someone wants in but can’t get in, perhaps. When ECs work efficiently, with discussions…
Floored by flawed thinking
Living underneath noisy wooden floors? That clattering of hooves you hear may just be an ill-informed strata manager running for cover. QUESTION: I live in a unit and the people…
Parking Madness
Our strata dispute procedure is great – in theory. But it’s less fantastic in practice, especially when you are dealing with selfish bastards who have no interest in doing anything…
Yes, Minister, there are problems
Welcome, our new Fair Trading Minister Linda Burney, to the wonderful world of strata. I don’t know if your predecessor left you a “things to do list” – I suspect…
Balcony Battle Background
The following is the full text of the letter that prompted the column in the Herald on 21/4/07. It shows that you can get the system to work .. if…
Fatally flawed floors
Why would anyone imagine that they have the right to deny peace and quiet to their neighbours? They don’t – but the spirit of “I’m all right, Jack” is alive…
Balcony battles
It’s tough when someone in your building doesn’t want to fix, maintain or improve anything. But when that person is the only other owner in a two-terrace strata, and they…
Timber floor tantrums
With so many people ripping up old carpet – it’s so-o-o-o 20th century – and replacing its excellent insulation qualities with a layer of varnish, it’s no wonder people downstairs…
The Low Levies Lurk
There is a myth in strataland that Unit Entitlements are set in concrete (no pun intended). UEs are the figure on which your levies are calculated, based on the size…
Gunning for smokers
Worried about the ban on smoking in apartments? According to the ABC TV news, it was “tough new laws giving more power to owners corporations” that forced two dedicated puffers…