Don’t let the sun go down on your off-the-plan unit
Back in the bad old days, in an overheated market, developers could deliberately delay completion of a unit block, return your deposit then re-sell your unit at a higher price.…
Covid-19 in strata
Strata blocks have been likened to vertical cruise ships when it comes to their potential for speading the disease. Here are stories that represent our coverage of the issues. NB: Some of the Covid-19 references are in subsidiary parts of the story and some facts and figures may have been overtaken by more recent events.
‘Free money’ for blocks with budget shortfalls
Strata schemes are being offered what could be, if they choose, “free money” to fill the holes in their budgets created by owners defaulting on their levies. And assistance is…
Covid housing response ‘fast but patchy’ – report
National and state governments’ housing policy responses to the pandemic were fast and mostly effective but too often it was left to landlords and tenants to carry the weight of…
Used RAT kits in unit block bio-hazard warning
As more and more of us are turning to Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs), if only to reassure ourselves that we don’t have Covid-19, apartment block managers are having to deal…
Forum: Cashed-up and confused by costs levy
Here’s a bit of a brainteaser. An owners corp has won its tribunal case against a couple of lot owners over unapproved renovations. The OC’s strata manager has now asked…
Podcast: Where should strata be in government?
This week on the pod we ask the question, if Strata doesn’t belong in Fair Trading, then where should it go? As Jimmy explains in this column (which also appeared…
What the pandemic has taught us about ourselves
There’s a quirky UK comedy series on TV called Taskmaster, in which five comedians are set a series of bizarre physical and logical challenges, usually with hilarious results. At the…
Online strata committee elections – the result is in
We all thought Covid-19 and Zoom meetings were behind us until Omicron emerged to scare the bejayzus out of us all over again. And with the prospect that we may…
Now tenants can get rent relief compo for landlords
Tenants whose income has been hit hardest by Covid-19 lockdowns of the past few months can now apply directly to compensate landlords who reduced their rents by up to $4500.…
Levies crunch squeezes resident owners hardest
As NSW emerges from its restrictions and Victoria seeks a glimmer of light at the end of its very long lockdown tunnel, many strata schemes are still wrestling with financial…
How to lower high-rise risks of copping Covid
Governments are pressing ahead with home quarantine for returning travellers and people are isolating at home due to COVID-19. So now is a good time to think about what you…
Covid confusion as strata mask orders remain
Building managers are taking down signs requiring residents to wear masks, strata committees are telling tenants and owners that masks aren’t required on common property and everybody in strata land…