[Casuarina]

Thanks proudsceptic for the sound advice.

[Casuarina]

Thanks proudsceptic! The link to the WallisView solar project from 2010 contains some excellent advice and a draft by-law that I think we can usefully adopt. https://greenstrata.com.au/sites/default/files/documents/WallisView%20Special%20By-Law.pdf

Your advice about dealing fairly with all owners is also sound. The WallisView project was similar in that respect and I intend, like them, to have all of the homework done before putting the matter to a general meeting.

I also like the idea of drawing roof allocation spots from a hat. Good practice for the Melbourne Cup sweep!

Now here is a puzzle. Let’s say that there are two early adopters and the AGM votes in favour of the common area solar array. So two apartment owners decide to ‘wait and see’. But we also agree that there needs to be a new by-law governing private use of the roof and that costs, say, $600 for legal fees and registration. Who pays the $600? Should it be split between the two early adopters, or paid from the Owners Corp account?

[Casuarina]

Interesting debate topic but I don’t think there is a problem in this case.

In simple terms, there are two parts of the roof suitable for installing panels. The largest part faces NNW and is big enough for 4 x 2kW arrays. The next best part of the roof faces ENE and is big enough for 1 x 2kW array.

If there is full acceptance of the scheme, everyone can fit (4 apartments and 1 for common area power) but it is likely that one apartment will not participate as it has been vacant for two years. If they come late to the party, they will probably get the ENE facing roof which has a different aspect but still quite effective solar access.

It would be nice to have a 10kW array that provided power that was shared by everyone but I have yet to find an affordable solution to that. Maybe someone from this forum has an energy sharing technology solution we could look at.

[Casuarina]

Thanks JimmyT! Great advice. I’ll let you know how things turn out.

[Casuarina]

Thanks Jimmy. That should do the trick. Much appreciated.

Regarding the vote, we have a very harmonious ship and I expect to get either full support or an abstention from our non-resident owner. In any event, his unit entitlement is 24% so the other three owners hold 76% between them.

[Casuarina]

Hi all,

I would like some advice on this topic please. Our 7 year old, 4 unit, NSW ‘Over 55s’ strata scheme is in a scenic area where short term airbnb or holiday lettings may be tempting for future owners but at present we have a >75% (possibly 100%) majority who have asked me to research amending the by-laws to prohibit short term rentals.

At present, we have the Strata Schemes Management Regulation 2010 model bylaws so from the Fair Trading advice cited above, it would appear that we are OK as any lease under 3 months would be illegal.

But to be doubly certain, I would like to propose adopting a suitable by-law specifically prohibiting any short-term rental agreements or lettings of less than 3 months. Can anyone suggest some suitable wording?

We are going to hold a general meeting anyway to change our pet rules from Option B to Option C + fish anyway so it will be a good opportunity to deal with both issues at the same time and I have the full support of 3 out of 4 owners. Owner 4 sadly doesn’t live here due to ill health and his apartment is vacant. But we are sure he will not oppose and may even support this initiative.

Thanks in advance.

[Author]

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