When things are bad … but not bad enough
There have been a few postings to the Flat Chat Forum recently about how to change things when your executive committee seems to operate only for the benefit of a…
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Turn up heat over stove
QUESTION: In January this year my two student children rented a two-bedroom unit in Coogee, offering $20 a week over the asking price ($550) to secure the rental. The managing…
Air-con units are uncool
QUESTION: Some time in the past, two previous owners in our 1960s block installed those ugly window mounted air conditioning units. The strata records shows no mention of the units,…
Dog driving me barking mad
QUESTION: My neighbour leaves his dog outside on their terrace all the time and it barks constantly. I’ve spoken to the strata manager, the executive committee and the neighbour, but…
Planter plight
QUESTION: My new rented apartment has planter boxes right up against the balcony balustrade and the other day I found my four-year-old climbing up to look over the side. After…
Strata – a pop quiz
The first strata titles legislation in the world was created right here in NSW exactly 50 years ago. But how much do you know about it? Considering half the population…
How to fix strata, Mr Premier
Just over a week ago, 7.30 on the ABC reported on the “secret” rent scam of high-rise buildings being infested with over-crowded apartments and the scandalous gaps in the law…
Go West and save
A report in last week’s Domain revealed that while rents in Sydney’s West are barely moving, in the Eastern Suburbs they’re getting out of control. A two-bedroom apartment in…
Window of opportunity for turfed-out tenant
QUESTION: If my windows are being replaced in my unit by the body corporate and I can’t live there during this work being done what are the rules about reimbursement…
Mystery of the missing strata manager
QUESTION: We have been unable to contact our strata manager over the last few weeks and are growing increasingly concerned. We have had numerous periods of time like this over…
Nice flat – shame about the roaches
QUESTION: I have been renting a renovated apartment and I love the place but it is infested with cockroaches and I have to sleep (when I can) with the lights…
Sleep deprived by Drive-by Dad
When it comes to strata strife, there’s no one more likely to be at loggerheads than residents of a two-unit block, especially if one of them is losing sleep. QUESTION:…