[BONNIE L]

I am in accord with JT’s comments.  In my experience, owners must get agendas, minutes, and a full set of accounts at least once a year at AGM;  also owners I understand must be consulted if a one-time cost proposal overreaches a certain amount which, in my experience, is a limit determined by all the owners in the first place.  Fair Trading may also have an opinion on your options.  It’s something I would chase up with them, or, irksome as it sounds, be prepared to search the files at random in own interests. Be ‘pro-active’, in other words. Good luck 

[BONNIE L]

Could you get to chat with a few other owners or committee members to see what they do about seeing the papers.  Otherwise, in my experience, accounts have to be shown on an annual general meeting agenda; However, the more involved you are, the more you may get to know.

[BONNIE L]

Hi, In my experience reasonable notice has to be given;  also you haven’t said whether the reason for the inspection is required, or necessary, and whether you have been advised.   Others will know more.  Good luck. 

[BONNIE L]

If I have this ‘right,’ it is only photographic evidence that would cut the mustard in any pressure on all the owners to pay up.  It’s so easy for an individual owner to grumble what’s happening for their ‘patch’ – which we all do if it’s valid – however, sounds like the body corporate is being tested and strata manager could step in firmly.

[BONNIE L]

Hi there, In my (not so long) experience as a strata-ite, pest inspection of individual units are up to individual owner. Would not fall for any claim on that basis for all owners to cough up.  Would also ask for photographic evidence the mites originated on common property.  Best luck.

[BONNIE L]

Not sure if have understood this correctly, and know also that some councils are known to have issued large fines for lopping any so called protected tree species without their knowledge.

Best luck!

[BONNIE L]

Hi there, Anyone querying why their building still has not got child locks? Is it the strata firm holding things up?  If so, can understand all the firms are pretty busy. Any clues please will help, thanks so much.  (Ours is held up maybe as renovations elsewhere in the view, or for reasons unknown  – so far.)

[BONNIE L]

Dear Lady P,  Thankfully, managed to get  good help in committee re that, including from esteemed strata co.  Yet to see if it still happens.  The Lot owner is responsible, did appreciate, and think someone must have mis-used residents bins by mistake as they’re in clearly dedicated enclosure.   

[BONNIE L]

Thank you Lady P.   Sounds like a dishwasher going by the whirring – stop -whirring effect, though could be a washing machine. 

Still trying to negotiate with tenants, as it’s not all the time; only when  trying  to sleep or digest an early breakfast in comparative peace.  Maybe they are troubled by something we are doing. Yet to establish that.    

[BONNIE L]

I heard from a strata lawyer speaker recently that a by-law prepared by a lawyer stood a stronger chance of ‘standing up’   Took that to mean protective of the client.

Getting on the committee is another way of influencing what you may want to happen. 

[BONNIE L]

Thanks very much Lady P; food for thought. Also will try to ask OC inspector if see them on the day.  No one I’ve spoken to has mentioned termites, and certainly nothing obvious – apart from common summer bugs  that come out in hot weather  – not the dreaded t-type; that is, nothing visible to naked eye.

Flat next door to ours however has had serious repeating issues with summer bugs though; common variety – not t-type.

Very small appearances in ours – no t-type appearances mercifully.  

[BONNIE L]

Hi everyone,  Not sure if this is the right space, and in no way is there any issue as described in this section, plus hope their problem got sorted out.

Would anyone have a tip please on whether to get one’s own unit inspected for pests when there are no real issues for us and common property inspections get arranged by strata?

[BONNIE L]

Hi, I once used sunshade type roll on sheeting; very lightweight, sticks to the inside of the window, reflects against sun and shades inside. Made things a bit darker in winter, otherwise effective.  No one said anything, and a large strata plan.     

[BONNIE L]

Thanks everyone. Can be a neighbour issue that’s for sure. Dishwasher or washing machine 1 hour cycle made sleep impossible in any room to midnight for me. Fortunately, I know there is a by-law in the building, and I can write to said neighbour –  in case they don’t know. 

[BONNIE L]

It’s a house Sir H; different story.

The blighters can come up through the floor.  Is the floor timber? If it’s not termite resistance flooring in the first place, they will have a ball eating into it. 

I’m ok writing to this party as a tenant, as I have downsized to a strata situation only recently. 

As a suggestion,  I would make it loudly and clearly known to the owner, the agency, and local council as others have advised. 

[Author]

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