Podcast: Waterproof woes and Brisbane’s boom
The issue we raised last week rumbles on with experienced waterproofers claiming they are being driven out of the industry in NSW while engineers and builders line up to take…
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Costs and delays behind renovation war of words
As we often say here, apartment living can be a minefield of unintended consequences. And it even sees battles in which neither of two diametrically opposed forces are wrong. It…
Podcast: A load of rubbish and advice for Jackie O
This week we look at how one of the greatest conveniences in apartment blocks could be not only costing you money but undermining efforts at recycling. The humble garbage chute…
Podcast: BBQs and secret committee meetings
A couple of issues popped on to the Flat Chat radar while we were off being festive. One was all about smoking on balconies which, if that wasn’t serious enough,…
Smoke drift battle exposes NCAT’s farcical flaws
The recent Sydney Morning Herald story about a couple who – at the third attempt – won a case to get their neighbours to stop smoking on their balcony may…
Forum: When a disruptive owner Zooms back in
It’s hard to think of a downside for Covid being behind us (if, indeed, it is) but one unanticipated consequence is the end of the need to hold strata meetings…
Owners conned thanks to Qld law loopholes
Queensland strata owners and buyers are being conned by developers, rental agents and management rights operators, claims the state’s Unit Owners Association (UOAQ), and it’s all possible because blocks are…
When a family plan is a bit too cosy for comfort
In a week where we are shining the spotlight on flaws in Victorian strata (here, here and here) and addressing the challenges owners face in Queensland, it’s only fair that…
Victoria: A shambolic state of strata chaos
How bad are things in Victorian strata? As you will read in this article, the removal of flammable cladding is revealing building structures that are rotting from the inside out.…
Ziggy gets stardust as a top ten pet name
It’s that time of year again. Our friends at Pet Insurance Australia have issued a list of the top pet names trending in 2022. With some all-time favourites topping the…
Rotting Victorian strata calls for a champion
Here in Sydney we have often wondered why we didn’t hear too much about defects in Victorian apartment blocks. Was it because they built better buildings there? How about, maybe…
Podcast: Power grabs and fraudsters – two rants
This week’s podcast is short but not very sweet (despite it being our 200th). Sue is away in the UK, which allows me to vent about a couple of issues…