[YolBee]

Oh and I said the SM ‘encourages appointment’ – which is exactly what was done, it was openly encouraged, literally pointed around the table and said ‘how about you’ – ‘everyone ok with that’ – ‘its no work at all’. I am well aware of how committee members are appointed, now I am anyways.

Thanks again.

[YolBee]

Thanks for your advice.

‘I did not know’, and ‘looked’ that was past tense, if you hadn’t noticed. Its been over a year ago that I was first appointed to the role, when yeah – I did not know much, ill admit that I’m not a know it all. However, it has become clear over that time that the SM is the one doing the blocking, no one else. We do not have anyone acting in the office bearer positions. We only have 2 of us on the EC, and yes your comments are harsh – don’t criticise what you don’t understand – your words right. But thanks for the advice re the motions – that’s what I came for.

Cheers.

[YolBee]

Dear Sir Humphrey.

In terms of the first three points – I appreciate all that. You have to bear in mind that I was appointed to the EC within 3 weeks of purchasing this unit – my first experience of strata. The accounts records looked hieroglyphic, and still do, and possibly do so to other owners who may not have the backgournd to be able to interpret them. I did not even know what a ‘motion’ was. To note, I think that’s what this SM does, encourages appointment of people who have no idea, or who are to busy (i.e. about to have a baby) so as to avoid doing any work. But now I know better (I think), unfortunately for them.

What I’m saying overall is that this SM is blocking me and my complaints, even though I am on the EC. As someone once said on this forum – “the tail is wagging the dog”. If the motion for a new SM is not passed, (possibly due to no quorum) I will be commencing mediation proceedings against them to take action on these matters. It is unfortunately that kind of situation.

The committee has included funding for repairs, but the repairs are never followed up by the strata manager. At the last AGM they were discussed verbally. I would like to have it on the agenda formally.

I did not even know there was a “other business” item, and will definitely utilise this point.

Can you suggest any wording for these motions? or suggest a site where I can find the wording so I can put this into a legible email. =)

Kind Regards,

YolBee

 

 

[YolBee]

Thanks again for the info and for the referral to Strata Answers – very helpful.

p.s. Shame about the publishers – I would buy an e-book too.

[YolBee]

I asked who the office bearers were and the response I got was “those are elected at the first AGM”. This first AGM must have been more than 8 years ago. Baffling.

I’m certainly no expert, so would not want to end up in a role when I have a heap of unfamiliar administrative duties, but this manager needs oversight and a push to do the job. What are the implications of being voted into this role, and which one would you suggest given the all issues that I have presented recently on this site? (Several owners have also told me they have not been satisfied with maintenance and gardening costs – another issue =)).

Two other owners have already told me that are not 100% satisfied with this manager (one more so), but people can be averse to change – when push comes to shove kind of thing..

anyways, I think I’m just going to buy your book.

 

[YolBee]

Ha! Yes the air con meeting of the entire OC.

Our parking is widespread and obstructive. Emergency vehicles could not get through at all times.

I’ll be calling council to enquire. And will post if I discover anything that may be of interest.

 

[YolBee]

I am on the executive committee, and not one, but two circulars have been sent. Getting the second one sent was a challenge in itself. Simply exhausting. Our manager just blocks our requests and the parking problems persist. I wanted to avoid NCAT, but I think this is where I am going to have to take this. Simply ridiculous given we pay fees for this kind of “non-managment”.

Whats interesting is this manager has been delegated all roles of the office bearers. I doubt anyone would want to act in these (or who they even belong to?) but the impression I get is this individual thinks they hold absolute authority over this scheme, and likely have for a long time.

I will post an update as things progress (provided they do)…

 

[YolBee]

Thanks both again,

I have previously suggested a ring around about other issues (parking issues) and seems its not an option  – must be a ‘meeting’.

In relation to your questions Coloner Schultz, the wall is not common property.

and yes, agree its worth going through approval (if we don’t end up selling the place before we get the chance)

[YolBee]

Thanks for your responses. My question more relates to whether I even need approval in the first place given, a) the air con will not be installed on, or anywhere near, the common property (thanks to our interesting strata plan) and, b) it will be in “keeping with buildings look” (our only applicable by-law in this case), as mostly everyone has air con, and likely never went through the approval process.

[YolBee]

Im no expert, but I would be asking the strata manager for all correspondance between the manager and the company. I would be asking for the assessments made, and quotes provided, by the company. I would be asking for itemised reciepts for any charges.

You could also always get a second opinion from a builder to assess the work and proivide an opinion on costs.

To note, if the owners did not want to proceed with this company who made the decision in the end, was it the executive comitee? You should probably look into how decisions are made in you scheme and what functions you have delegated to the strata manager.

But again, im definately no expert and new to strata myself. Hope someone else can provide further insights.

 

[YolBee]

Thanks Jimmy-T. Most of the above refers to common property, including section 110. The air con will not be installed on common property. The entire lot and eveything in it, apart from two shared walls, and the fence and any shared cabling (there is none), are part of the lot and are not common property. Would those parts of the act and regulations then still apply?

It may change the external appearance of the lot, but then everyone has the same set up so it will be “in keeping with the buildings look” – as per our by law.

I was advised it has to go to a meeting of the entire OC. All seems a tad excessive. We really struggled in the recent heat.

[YolBee]

If the strata manager is aware that units have been let, yet no tenant details have been provided, and the strata manager has been delegated all roles of the office bearers (including the secretary who under the act appears responsible for “maintaining the strata role”), do they then not have a duty of care to follow this up, or at least advise the owners corporation?

 

[YolBee]

Dissent and chaos indeed – these issues are now so entrenched because no-one has been doing anything about them.

I do have the inkling however that our strata manager may be blocking ours, and perhaps, others complaints – fostering an environment where everyone is unsure of whether or not to peruse their issues in case of “rocking the boat” or “costing the plan too much money”. This is how I previously felt, prior to seeking advice on this forum (thankyou!).

I think it would be valuable to get input from other owners without the direction (or influence) of the SM. My final question would be, what do you suggest is the best way to contact other owners in the complex, bar door knocking? Is it appropriate to ask the SM for email contacts, or request that an email be forwarded on my behalf?

Thanks again.

 

 

 

[YolBee]

Just an update,

I again requested that the by laws be enforced and that the EC (including myself) vote on NTC to be sent to those who are continuously breaching the by laws by parking on the common driveway and in the visitors spots.

I was advised that individual motions were required for each unit and the residents must be named (I’m assuming this is correct?)- because of this the strata manager would have to “chase up” tenant details with individual lot owners as they do have any of these. These are long standing tenants as far as I know.

Firstly, my understanding is that we should have these details (section 258 of the Strata Schemes Management Act)?

Secondly, I don’t want to seem completely paranoid but is there any other reason why this manager could be attempting to make this more difficult than what is should be – apart from general apathy? i.e. to charge the plan?, unstated conflict of interest? Intuitively, I feel like something is amiss.

 

 

[YolBee]

Thankyou, well said and just what we needed to hear.

 

 

[Author]

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