Poetry in motion
FLAT CHAT Jimmy Thomson Tomorrow sees the start of a campaign to correct one of the anomalies of the NSW strata legislation, concerning the keeping of poets in apartment buildings.…
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.
Smokers Snuffed Out
NB: See late breaking news at end of column QUESTION 1: Can anything can be done about a neighbour across the hall who continually smokes cigars? The smoke permeates my…
Socket to me
Watching TV in bed is a somewhat guilty pleasure so here’s a reminder of the need to get all your checks done in a new apartment before the warranty expires.…
Cat smugglers play possum
There is nothing quite so tragic, in strata terms at least, as the plaintive pleas of a pet owner who has tried to do the right thing and still fallen…
Double Dipping Landlords
It’s a nice ruse if you can work it: buy yourself an apartment in the city as an investment, but use the building’s facilities while you commute from the burbs.…
Sinking Fund Rules Sunk
For as long as builders have been putting up apartment blocks, some owners have thought they were on easy street: apartment blocks didn’t require maintenance, weren’t affected by weather or…
Shady dealings in the backyard
It’s summer in Strataland – where, it seems, one person’s sunshade can be another’s eyesore. QUESTION: We are owner-occupiers in a strata scheme of five townhouses. Our neighbour wants to…
It’s not sleazy being Green
Don’t hold your breath but strata law reform could be the hot political potato at the next State election. City of Sydney Deputy Mayor Chris Harris, launching his Greens campaign…
Backpackers in the block
The change of the clocks last weekend means Summer is well and truly on its way and, sadly, for many apartment owners that also means that the annual influx of…
A building manager hits back
A couple of weeks ago, this column applauded the Greens for getting in on the strata act and mentioned, specifically, that we supported their aim to get rid of “ludicrous”…
The Great Pet Gamble
Even in these enlightened times when well-behaved pets are welcome in many blocks, would-be unit owners are tripping over regulations that seem to force them to gamble with hundreds of…
Car Space – The Final Frontier
The prospective buyer was delighted with the penthouse apartment. The views were fantastic, the fit-out was superb and even the multi-million-dollar price tag was OK. Almost as an afterthought, he…