New pet-friendly strata laws about to bite
A change in NSW strata law that comes in next week will radically alter the default position on pets in NSW strata schemes, bringing relief to pet owners and some…
Strata pets
There was a time in strata blocks when “no pets” was the default rule for apartment residents.
When the model by-laws in various states changed to allow residents to apply for permission to keep pets, which could not be unreasonably refused, “we have never allowed pets” was considered to be a reasonabe reason for refusal.
But times have changed and that is no longer the case, as you will read in these posts.
NB: Some of the stories in these pages go a long way back – check the dates as the laws may have changed. Also references to pets may be part of a larger story.
You can’t be too clean with Covid-19 lurking
I have never been crash-hot on domestic cleaning. My natural indolence was once reinforced by a country farming woman who told me that she kept her house spotlessly clean, which…
Podcast: Pets to lets – 200 columns and counting
How has apartment living in Australia changed in the past four years? The answer is a lot, but still too little. This week, we celebrate our 200th column in the…
How Flat Chat grew from a bitter defects battle
Believe it or not, the 200th edition of Flat Chat to appear in the Australian Financial Review was published at the weekend. But that’s not half of it – not…
Group wants to open more rentals to pet owners
Just a week ago we were on James Valentine’s Afternoons on ABC Radio discussing the plight of renters with pets – a topic we pick up in this week’s podcast.…
Podcast: Pets & renters, prices and owner revolts
This week’s podcast has placed a ban on the C-word … no, not that one, the other one that’s filling our news bulletins on radio and TV and clogging up…
Tenants and pets – how to get a home with yours
In these times of enforced isolation, pets have never been more valuable for their comfort and companionship. But there is still resistance among many landlords – and strata schemes, for…
Forum: Tribunal rules on unrelated strata donations
Here’s a Tribunal decision that’s going to cause discomfort among the more activist members of your committees – strata schemes can’t legally make donations to campaigns and appeals that don’t…
Podcast: Social housing a Sirius miscalculation
As we emerge from our “close contact” self-isolation we are probably going to have to go back into hiding after the selfie we took of ourselves still at work, despite…
How to pet-proof your investment property
Most people love pets but, when it comes to allowing them into your investment property, that enthusiasm can wane, writes Sue Williams in Prestige Domain. A pet-friendly rental home, however,…
Forum: How to see off the car space invaders
An oldie but a goodie turned up this week, and it’s all about that perennial favourite … “parking”. A young adult who has been moving between parents has decided to…
Airbnb rebound drives up rents and hits availability
The opening of borders prior to the most recent Victorian lockdown provided a glimpse of how short-term rentals are ready to ramp up again, leading to a shortage of residential…