[Miranda]

So you didn’t know the dog was there until you were ‘informed’? On that basis I can’t imagine it being too noisy.  The others have outlined steps you can take, but I’m wondering if other owners are bothered apart from you?  Or if …no offence ……. you don’t like dogs per se.  The resident has every right to have that dog if it’s not creating nuisance and if it is creating nuisance then apart from rounding up the OC Committee the Council can take action.

But before doing all this have you spoken to the resident?  Have you tried to see their point of view and how distressing it would be for them to have to remove the dog?  It would be good (and kinder) I feel to give all this some more thought I feel.

 

[Miranda]

Thanks for the great advice everyone, much appreciated.  The Mel strata mgrs have asked me to write to their Operations Manager which I’m in the process of doing, just to complete my paper trail.  I’m actually astonished by their attitude of duck shoving.  They are now putting it on the back of the current owner of my previous flat who are clearly not at all bothered that a perfect stranger …. me… has paid their fees,  and refusing to do anything .

I don’t believe that I should have to take it up with these owners and that this should be dealt with by the strata mgrs, to  refund me, then deal with the owners themselves.But it looks like  I’ll have to go to NCat or VCat  about it which I will do if I have to. .  Will also contact my bank. It’s all so tiring.   🙁

[Miranda]

Thanks Jimmy… I don’t now if they’re members but for me to get a response from SCA I’d have to join first at a cost of over $100.   Can you suggest who else I can go to please?   Fair Trading,  solicitor, I’m a bit stumped here but really tired of getting talked down by those people as it seems pretty clear to me that what they’re doing is illegal.

[Miranda]

December is only 2 or so months away.   Settlement may not have even taken place by then and you may  not have even moved in.   As this is a ruling made in Court I doubt that whatever they vote can have any bearing on it.  I understand your nervousness but the law is on your side.  I’m not sure when it officially comes into effect but you will find that on the internet somewhere.  If it were me, and wanting certainty, I would contact a strata lawyer (maybe the one advertised here) who I’m pretty sure could put your mind at rest.

Have to add that I’m so glad that the by-law has been repealed and that responsible pet owners don’t have to deal with such foolishness any more.  Other owners still have freedom to object if the pet is causing nuisance,  so it’s win win in my books.  .

 

 

[Miranda]

I wouldn’t be attending, too risky.   If the members are computer literate (and of course  have computers) you could set up Zoom or Skype meetings.  Not too hard to do after you’ve fiddled around a bit and very effective.

[Miranda]

Oh that’s awful Jimmy .  I would not have blamed you for not printing my post, it was good of you to fix it.  .  I do hope it doesn’t happen here as I am typing directly into the forum,   my knowledge of such things is minus zero I’m afraid.

[Miranda]

<p style=”text-align: center;”>[NB: This post was originally infested with leftover coding from a copy and paste (probably from an Apple device).  That’s 10 minutes of my life I won’t get back, cleaning it up.  A little consideration please! JimmyT]</p>
 

Jimmy i have no idea what  this means.   I don’t have any  Apple devices and  use  Win 10.  I don’t know what   left over coding is.  I typed my question on my lap top then sent it.    There was no intention to be inconsiderate so please allow me some slack.

 

[Miranda]

Thanks everyone for your further input, and I have ploughed through all the linked documents so I have a much better idea of what’s what.The regs here in NSW are different to those  in Vic that I’m used to.

To Strata Answers I believe my election to the committee was proper as it was done at the AGM.  But I wasn’t specifically elected as secretary,  and I have a feeling that in this case  the ‘power of one’ isn’t much.

As for setting up a committee here I think I may put it on hold.  To be honest none of the others show the slightest interest in terms of doing any work and I suspect it would all land in my lap which I don’t want.  They like the idea of sitting on a committee but I think it would be just that, sitting.

Never mind, the AGM is only 11 months away!   I’ll try to be patient, but thank again everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

.

[Miranda]

Thanks Jimmy,   what a nightmare.   Excellent reading though.  I hate to say it but this made my day.  I’ve been feeling things were bad here,  but in comparison it’s a rose garden.

[Miranda]

Thank you Jimmy,  really appreciate it.

So to call an EGM can I as the committee (!) do so or does it have to be the strata manager.  If so is he required to do it if asked?

Also am I entitled to have a list of the owners’ contact details from him?

[Miranda]

To add my bit……  As a devoted dog lover I do agree that there have to be boundaries for dog owners,  and one of these is not to allow the pupper into the pool.  I see no harm in letting them into the pool area onleash, but not into the pool.  I can totally understand why this would upset some people.

Also to wander around the area unleashed is not responsible ownership imo as many people/kids have a phobia of dogs so why make it unpleasant for them.  But I see no problem at all with allowing them in  on leash.

[Miranda]

I totally agree with the   above replies.  It always amuses me when someone sends polite notes   to inform others that they are going to be disturbed big time.  Not ask,  but tell.    As someone else  suggested  i would respond with an equally polite note  telling them to have fun   just  this once   but to be fully aware of the noise laws., particularly those  that state people have the right not to be disturbed by excessive noise at any time.

Btw I’d love to know what the token gift was, nothing less than a magnun of Dom Perignon would appease me.   🙂

 

 

[Miranda]

Nah, forget all the psychology stuff, she is unreasonable.  Just tell her to jump.

[Miranda]

I have always paid someone to assemble flat pack furniture, and I fully endorse Airtasker as it costs very little and they have the tools to  do it very  quickly and efficiently.   Only once did i diy with  a shelving unit and ended up  running down the highway screaming.

 

[Miranda]

I think I can add to this

A friend of mine does the occasional dog minding at his flat and has been doing so  for 3 years. He does not run a business, but gets the bookings through an agency, a totally different thing

The home  pet minding regulations in Vic are very clear.

It is necessary to  talk to the Council about this first so that they can come out to inspect the flat , and also for the minder to pay for a multi dog permit if there should be more than one dog.

Also the policy of the OC needs to be pet friendly, which it is where he lives and  many own pets in his block.  He has done all this and has full compliance.

He is meticulous about the dog he will mind and meets them first to ensure that they are quiet and friendly.  Most of his neighbours enjoy meeting them except for one who is an animal hater (and people hater  for that matter  🙂 ) but he is always outvoted.

btw insurance is partly the responsibility of the agency and the minder only.

Hope this clarifies things a bit

[Author]

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