OOPS! 10 classic errors strata living newbies make
For more than 10 years we have been answering questions and offering advice about apartment living. When we started, apartment residents were in a small minority and it was seen as…
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Fair Trading claims Airbnb by-laws are invalid
Following the extended discussions on the validity of by-laws that set out to restrict short-stay letting by invoking the residential-only status of some apartment buildings, we contacted fair Trading to…
Roundup: A funny thing happened in my building …
The last time I was on the James Valentine radio show (and if you missed it you can listen here) he commented that even though he enjoyed our monthly segments,…
Airbnb by-laws: Strata lawyers state their cases
Six strata law experts give their take on whether we can create by-laws enforcing our residential-only zoning. My story in the Sydney Morning Herald at the weekend about Fair Trading…
Anti-Airbnb by-laws challenged by Fair Trading ruling
Fair Trading has pulled the rug from under by-laws designed to restrict Airbnb and other short-term letting agencies in residential-only apartment blocks – only your local council can enforce restrictions.…
Roundup: Rolling around in search of an answer
Some days you’re the Pinball Wizard, others you are just the ball. This week I find myself bouncing between a number of organisations on behalf of all you Flatchatters who…
Will we see a mass evacuation of flats here?
The recent scenes of thousands of people being evacuated from apartment blocks in London shocked Australian apartment residents – almost as much as the deadly Grenfell Tower fire that prompted…
Roundup: Fair Trading weighs in on holiday lets
Fair Trading has spoken – whispered, really – but the message is clear: the key to controlling holiday lets within strata buildings lies with local councils. Whether or not that…
Can by-laws be used to silence angry owners?
The irresistible force meets the immovable object – that’s how intractable internal conflicts in strata schemes are often characterised. But a more accurate description might be the megaphone meets the…
Rogue developer gets a reality check
Regular readers will recall the saga of the rogue developer on the far North coast who basically tried to run his new building to suit himself, with no regard for…
High-rise fire task force could cost us millions
NSW apartment owners could face bills for millions of dollars if the government launches a task force to identify buildings with potentially fatal aluminium cladding. But NSW high-rise builders responsible…
Roundup: Who pays when they find danger cladding on your block?
The powers that be in the state government aren’t saying much but the plan for a high-rise fire safety task force leaked to the media this weekend is very…