They say those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. More than 20 years ago, the new building in which I lived was in dispute with the developer over (among many other things) the utterly useless and profoundly corrupt building services manager that they had foisted on us.
He was unctuously sycophantic to owners – especially those on the committee – and horrifically prejudiced against renters.
If an owner locked themselves out, he’d magically produce a pass key (which he wasn’t supposed to have). If a tenant locked themselves out, he gave them the number of the “preferred” locksmith.
This was probably the least of a litany of complaints and our committee was refusing to sign the management agreement until the company had agreed to replace him with another manager.
The company insisted he was the best man they had – which may have been true, although that wasn’t saying much – and said they weren’t changing him.
Then, mysteriously, a passage appeared in the management contract saying that if we forced him out of the building, we would have to cover his salary until he found a similar job.
Adding insult to injury, our idiot strata manager applied the strata scheme’s seal to the document, making it legally binding. Even so, we tore it up and literally pushed the building manager out of the block (his car wouldn’t start).
The strata manager resigned and retired. The developer vowed revenge, which they duly got by effectively dodging our defects claim.
Fast forward two decades: we have heard that the same strata management firm didn’t check that a dubious clause had been added to a contract and affixed the strata scheme’s seal.
The owners found out, blew up and the strata manager resigned before they could be sacked.
History repeats – and the worrying thing is, this two-decade serial screw-up was by one of the most respected names in the business. All of which brings us to …
- How do we sack our strata manager? That’s HERE.
- The strata manager who said you needed an EGM to approve timber flooring, now says you need a general meeting to issue a Notice To Comply. That’s HERE.
- Committee has hired a lawyer for the mediation with me – would that be part of the expenses I don’t have to pay if they lose? That’s HERE.
- Can video evidence be used to breach residents for not closing a common property gate. That’s HERE.
- Owner doing unapproved renos says pictures of work taken from outside his lot is a breach of privacy. Are we in trouble? That’s HERE.
- Manager wrongly approved changes to window, now says that’s a precedent we have to follow. That’s HERE.
- Does block purchase of electricity really save individual owners much? That’s HERE.
- UPDATE: Our readers are saying NO to pets in rental properties. That’s HERE.
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Tagged: by laws, committee, pets, Strata
They say those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. More than 20 years ago, the new building in which I lived was in dispute with th
[See the full post at: Forum: Strata manager’s seal of disapproval]
The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
› Flat Chat Strata Forum › Current Page
› Flat Chat Strata Forum › Current Page