Forum Replies Created
-
Replies
-
In my building where I am Secretary I was contacted by NBN prior to installation seeking OC permission. I had to sign forms agreeing to the work and attesting that I had the authority to sign for the OC.
One submitted the work proceeded using some of the existing Foxtel cabling and box. Then the installers of the NBN box either used existing Foxtel points or at a mutually agreed and reasonable point in the unit.
There were no external changes to the building for the installation of the NBN box in each unit. This box is only installed when the owner chooses to engage an NBN RSP.
Noting that the management agreement would be a significant financial expense then surely there are two parts to its approval?
1) Approval of the new agreement to provide specific and specified services to the OC and residents to an agreed upon standard.
And then if approved:
2) Approval of the expenditure of funds to the company with the approved agreement.
We (I) use a broker for our insurance and it includes three quotes and an explanation of the differences in coverage.
Frankly the work involved in getting these quotes and explaining the differences would be beyond me so I see the charge as one of value.
If you’re prepared to do the work yourself then go for it but let the broker know before they prepare a quote for next year so they don’t do work for which they are entitled to receive payment.
So if the treasurer paid $10,000 and then received a refund of $10,000 do they still owe the $1,000 in levies?
It would be interesting to see exactly how the transaction was processed. Was it returned to the same account from which it came? Paid in cash? Or transferred to a third account?
If transferred to a third account it could be viewed as money laundering with the money initially coming from the treasurer’s account to a ‘clean’ business account (the OCs) and going to a third account where there needs to be ‘honest money‘.
If cash was involved at any stage then there are huge red flags and follow up is required.
Does the strata manger have the authority to withdraw that much (if any) money? If there is a requirement for a second approval was the treasurer the person who gave that second authority? If so there is a huge conflict of interest noting their initial payment of that amount
Finally, is this query related to another of your threads?
I don’t want to embarrass the Managing Agent,
Don’t worry about embarrassing them. worry about your money. Having studied accountancy you should be aware that incomplete, inaccurate financial records always have one issue and sometimes two.
The first issue is that the people putting the records don’t know what they’re doing. This means that fees and levies may not be properly collected or appropriately spent on the proper purpose.
The second potential issue is that fraud is occurring and being covered up by poor record keeping. If this is occurring then it needs to be exposed ASAP.
As the chief cook and bottle washer for our OC (i.e. Secretary and Treasurer and everything else) I keep very detailed records on an Excel spreadsheet and make it available to owners as requested and at meetings. With scanned copies of all invoices and receipts I can justify every cent I’ve spent and where it came from.
I can quickly show the paid insurance policy etc.
I can show who paid their fees and levies and when. I have a list of outstanding fees and what is being done to get them paid.
Even on a little OC the m0ney can quickly get out of control and large amounts accumulate. Our small block turned over >$20,000 in the last three years.
Timely and accurate accounting is essential to provide assurance to owners that their money is being appropriately accounted for and properly spent, especially when there is an emergency.
So be polite but don’t be afraid to embarrass anybody. As the old bank advertisement noted:
“It’s your money Ralph!”
With the old layout the time of the most recent post in each thread was shown.
This was reinstated for awhile but has now disappeared.
Seeing the time of the most recent post means that I know there is a new reply and can read it.
Is it possible to reinstate this feature please?
Why wasn’t the owner informed their tenant wasn’t complying with the by-laws?
Was the REA informed?
It might even be argued that the OC was more interested in the money than resolving the issue.
This may be an instance where it is better to go Federal rather than local.
Based on your post it seems you may have been bullied based on your sexual orientation.
This is totally unacceptable.
Have a look at the information in this link https://www.humanrights.gov.au/complaint-information and maybe even speak to the people there to see what your options for resolution may be.
For more information contact our National Information Service
Phone: 1300 656 419 or 02 9284 9888
So what does it say? Anything more than, ‘there is no cladding on the building’ is puff and shows what a scam your SM has either fallen for or participated in.
Make sure the report its contents and cost are on the records so all members can see what the SM is spending their money on.
So who actually removed the shrubs?
If done by the SC did they have a legitimate reason to remove them? A reason may be that they discovered the shrubs were diseased or dying. If so this should be duly documented and disseminated to the OC. And replacements arranged ASAP.
Start the paper (email) trail and get answers.
Is the vibration causing damage to the roof? Whilst not immediately evident there is a high probability that continuous and on going vibration will damage common property, i.e. the roof.
Therefore, it is possible that failure to remedy the matter in a timely manner will cause large repair bills in the future as well as significant inconvenience for the resident.
Perhaps a structural engineer can comment on this issue?
I wonder if the landlord has a parking permit issued to that address for their vehicle?
If so then council won’t issue another one.
Dumb-as-dogshit neighbours who cannot be bothered sorting their recycled rubbish (cans and bottles), from paper bins and putrescible rubbish bins. Council won’t empty recyclable bins with putrescible waste inside and just leave them at the kerb until someone sorts the bin contents out. By that time maggots are breeding. Also, there’s the bin morons who put discarded pizza boxes in the paper recycling bin. This is despite pictured signs on the wall of the garbage room sent out by Council explaining everything about waste collections.
There is another use for the Opal apartments.
Use it as short term accommodation for country politicians when the NSW parliament is sitting. And if the PM/GG is staying at Kirribilli then their staff can also stay there. Suburban politicians would also be welcome to stay for a night or two just get an on site understanding. Senior public servants would also be expected to stay there if they require city accommodation.
It will in time be declared safe for reoccupation and by having such esteemed and “important” people saying there and demonstrating that it is safe then its reputation will surely be quickly remediated?
And they can also get first hand knowledge of how STHL really does affect a building and would surely become advocates for better and more effective legislation to ensure that it doesn’t spread and can be properly contained.
Maybe if they were allowed to sit in on OC meetings as observers they could also get an understanding of how useless current warranty and remediation regulations really are when it comes to real life examples. Also, seeing how developers/builders etc treat owners might give them a wake up call as to the real reason they are given “political/campaign donations”.
Yeah I’m dreaming but sometimes dreams come true. This would seem to be an opportune moment to strike while the iron is hot and use any and every to get the message out there. “change is needed” NOW!