Building expert: defects plan is deeply flawed
The NSW government’s plans to construct our apartment buildings better in the future, released last week, were met with a universal outpouring of … well … whatever the opposite of…
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Bondi Beach renewal sets benchmark for old blocks
A dilapidated 1930s three-storey apartment building in Sydney where unused space is being converted into extra units, and balconies are being added, is forging the future for over 100,000…
Golf community wins new swing at Airbnb ban
The old chestnut that strata schemes can’t ban short-term letting took another hit this month with a decision in a magistrate’s court in Queensland that they most certainly can. A…
By-law breaches – cop it sweet or cop it hard?
If it’s true that justice delayed is justice denied, then there’s a lot of denial going on in strata. Taking a complaint against a neighbour – or even responding to…
Flat Chat Wrap #45 – Airbnb bubble at bursting point?
It’s a short and (hopefully) sweet Flat Chat Wrap this week with JimmyT flying solo as he looks at the clouds gathering over Airbnb and other holiday letting websites –…
FORUM: Committee parking pests warned
Sometimes this website just works. A couple of weeks ago we had a post from a Flatchatter who was annoyed that her neighbours parked their cars outside their garages, making…
PODCAST: Holiday lets under cloud but country pubs offer light relief
It’s a short and (hopefully) sweet Flat Chat Wrap this week with JimmyT flying solo as he looks at the clouds gathering over Airbnb and other holiday letting websites –…
Insurance and tax checks squeeze Airbnb hosts
A combination of tax crackdowns and insurance obligations is making the prospect of letting homes on holiday letting websites like Airbnb a much less attractive option, according to a story…
Holiday let firm exposed by Flat Chat goes bust owing $3.6m
A company exposed by Flat Chat three years ago for encouraging Chinese investors to get around proposed “ghost apartment” taxes by letting their properties on Airbnb, has gone bust, owning…
Flat Chat Wrap #44 – Pet death threat and dodgy votes
In this week’s podcast JimmyT and Sue Williams look again at the issue of the overturning of the pet ban by-law in one of Sydneys biggest and poshest apartment blocks,…
Tenants lured with big bucks to sub-let properties on Airbnb
By Jimmy Thomson The prospect of six-figure earnings is being used to lure rent-investors into sub-letting multiple residential properties through holiday letting websites like Airbnb – without owning any…
From the Forum: Committee causing parking problems
We fielded a curious question about parking that drew a very enlightening response, this week. One of our Flatchatters can’t easily get to her garage because other residents – including…