How Telcos can bully their way into unit blocks
Ever since the Federal Government embarked on its politically fraught and occasionally flawed efforts to introduce high-speed broadband to our cities, there has been a dubious tactic embraced by some…
Strata Facts
Basic information on everything from how to make a complaint to new model by-laws.
Saving lives not levies on old balcony balustrades
There used to be a general principle in strata that even if your old balcony balustrades weren’t up to current standards, you didn’t need to fix them unless there was…
Podcast: Lawyer in the Hot Seat, part 2
Welcome to the second part of Lawyer In The Hot Seat, in which strata lawyer (and Flat Chat sponsor) David Bannerman invited us on to his webinar. This week, Jimmy…
Forum: Balcony not up to code, FT not up to speed
One of the gratifying things about wrangling this website is that it is keenly observed by a bunch of strata owners and professionals who keep us up to speed with…
Podcast: Lawyer in the hotseat, Part 1
Amid all the discussions on this website about strata law, regulations and by-laws, we spend a lot of time talking about the way things ought to be and the difference…
Tweaks and leaks: advice on keeping the block nice
When we’re pouring money into renovating our homes, no doubt hoping to increase their value if we ever sell, we often forget the old maxim for the potential property purchaser…
Lack of foreign investors to hit rental supply
The continuing absence of overseas investors from the Australian property market, added to many local investors’ reluctance to buy new and off-the-plan properties, may lead to a significant undersupply of…
‘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…
Losers pay: Special levies mandatory for NCAT cases
Listen up all you litigious committee members! We have discovered something via the Flat Chat Forum that should make every strata committee in NSW think long and hard before they…
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…
After the deluge: when mould takes hold
With impeccable timing, given the OCN webinar on waterproofing today (Wednesday, April 6), here’s a Sydney Morning Herald Lifestyle section report by Sue Williams about how mould can come into…
Forum: Roof built over yard without permission
QUESTION OF THE WEEK: An owner in a townhouse has built a roof over their courtyard without permission. A Flatchatter has asked whether the owners corporation should ask for this…