Are we about to be rendered redundant by AI?

The other day, I looked into the abyss of Artificial Intelligence and, as the saying goes, the abyss looked right back. It was a moment of alcohol-fuelled bravado, as described in this week’s Podcast, and we were speculating about what would happen if Fair Trading started using A.I. to answer people’s questions,

Chatting over a glass of red (or two) in a pizza restaurant, we called up the program installed on my friend’s phone – a free A.I. platform called Claude – and asked one of the classic questions that frequently comes up on the Flat Chat Forum: “Can I leave or resign from my Owners Corporation?”

The instant response was a shock.  It was a well-argued answer explaining that strata owners can’t opt out of membership of their owners corps while adding that you are not obliged to do anything more than pay your levies and obey the block’s by-laws.

However it went on to suggest why it’s a good idea to get involved and how you can do that (See Claude 1, below).

Surprised by that response, the next day I asked the same question of Co-Pilot, the A.I. program built into Microsoft 11.  The response was a lot shorter and more radical. Its first suggestion was to sell your apartment. Option two was to dissolve the strata scheme (See Co-Pilot, below). Steady on, Ginger! It’s not that bad.

Clearly, the usefulness of A.I. depends on the platform you use as well as the question you ask.  Also, my original question was quite precise and used the correct language which might skew the answer in one direction or another.

But what if I was an ordinary strata newbie who thinks the strata manager is a cross between a prison warden and the Lord Mayor, and the committee chair is an item of furniture?

So I asked Claude what I could do about an annoying neighbour, just that. The response was exactly as I would have written; start with a polite chat and escalate from there. (Claude 2).

Now, using A.I. is supposed to be more akin to a conversation than an FAQ, so I asked a supplementary question, saying this annoying neighour was a big guy and I felt threatened by him.

The whole tone of the response changed and it became about staying safe, which was appropriate, albeit at the expense of the original question being dropped. I’m sure I could have gone back in and raised it again, had I needed to.

So what is the point of all this? I think a properly trained A.I. could be incredibly useful for Fair Trading and the Strata Commission, if only to instantly explain to strata residents what their basic rights and responsibilities were, and maybe even what their chances of success would be if they pursued their issues to a tribunal.

Will it replace Flat Chat and, for that matter, online resources like Amanda Farmer’s excellent YourStrataProperty.com?  I doubt it.  For a start it doesn’t have a sense of humour and Claude didn’t have links to the sources of its information although other platforms do.

But if you have an idle moment, give A.I. a whirl, if only for fun. Speaking of which, I wrote a new question for Claude, posing as the friend of a tenant. The response was immediate and scarily smart.

My friend is a tenant in a strata scheme in NSW. She thinks the by-laws are stupid. As a renter does she have to obey them?

Yes, your friend, as a tenant in a strata scheme in New South Wales (NSW), is required to obey the by-laws, even if she disagrees with them or thinks they are “stupid.”

In NSW, strata by-laws apply to all occupants of a strata scheme, including:

1. Owners
2. Tenants
3. Visitors

Tenants have the same obligations as owners when it comes to following by-laws. This is outlined in the NSW Strata Schemes Management Act 2015.

Key points for your friend to consider:

1. Legal obligation: By-laws are legally binding rules that govern the use of common property and behavior within the strata complex.

2. Lease agreement: Most residential tenancy agreements include a clause requiring tenants to comply with strata by-laws.

3. Consequences: Failing to follow by-laws can result in warnings, fines, or even legal action in severe cases.

4. Dispute resolution: If your friend believes a by-law is unreasonable, there are proper channels to address this, such as discussing it with the landlord or strata committee, or seeking mediation through NSW Fair Trading.

5. Changes: By-laws can be changed, but this requires a formal process and typically needs to be initiated by lot owners, not tenants.

While your friend may disagree with some by-laws, it’s important to understand that they exist to maintain order, safety, and harmony within the strata community. If she has serious concerns about specific by-laws, she should discuss them with her landlord or property manager to explore appropriate ways to address the issue.

One of the many impressive aspects of that response was that Claude recognised the subject of the question was female, just from a couple of “she”s in the question.

Meanwhile here are the earlier A.I. responses to our original questions, unedited and exactly as they arrived. Read them and weep for all the Fair Trading phone jockeys they could render redundant.

Claude 1

I own a strata apartment in NSW, do I have to join the owners corporation?

In New South Wales (NSW), Australia, if you own a strata apartment, you automatically become a member of the owners corporation (also known as the body corporate) upon purchasing the property. This is not optional – membership is mandatory under NSW strata law.

The owners corporation is the legal entity responsible for managing and maintaining the common property of the strata scheme. As a member, you have certain rights and responsibilities, including:

1. Voting on decisions affecting the strata scheme
2. Paying strata levies (fees) to cover maintenance and management costs
3. Complying with the strata scheme’s by-laws

While you can’t opt out of membership, your level of active participation in meetings and decision-making processes can vary. However, it’s generally in your best interest to be involved in the management of your property.

Would you like more information about the roles and responsibilities of owners corporation members in NSW?

Copilot

I own a strata apartment in NSW, do I have to join the owners corporation?

In New South Wales, a strata owner cannot simply opt out of an owners corporation. When you own a lot within a strata scheme, you are automatically a member of the owners corporation, which is responsible for managing the common property and making decisions about the scheme.

However, there are a few options if you are looking to change your involvement:

1. Selling Your Lot: The most straightforward way to exit an owners corporation is to sell your lot. Once you no longer own a lot in the strata scheme, you are no longer a member of the owners corporation.
2. Terminating the Strata Scheme: This is a more complex process that involves the agreement of at least 75% of the lot owners. The strata scheme can be terminated, and the property can be sold or redeveloped⁵.
3. Changing the Management: If your issue is with the management of the strata scheme, you can work with other owners to change the strata managing agent or even move towards self-management⁴.

If you have specific concerns or need detailed advice, it might be helpful to consult with a legal professional who specializes in strata law.

Is there a particular issue you’re facing with your owners corporation?

Source(s)

• 1. Termination of a strata scheme – NSW Land Registry Services
• 2. Exit a Strata Agreement – Change Owners Corporation Manager – Our Body Corp
• 3. How to Terminate a Strata Scheme (Even if Required Consent is not …
• 4. A Strata Committee: What It Can and Cannot Do
• 5. Owners Corporation instructions – NSW Fair Trading

Claude 2

I live in strata in NSW and my neighbour is annoying me, what can I do?

Living in strata (also known as a strata scheme or strata title) in New South Wales (NSW) can sometimes lead to conflicts with neighbours. Here are some steps you can take to address issues with an annoying neighbour:

1. Communicate directly: Try talking to your neighbour calmly and politely about the issue. They may not be aware that their behaviour is causing problems.

2. Document the issue: Keep a record of incidents, including dates, times, and descriptions of the problematic behaviour.

3. Contact your strata committee: If direct communication doesn’t work, reach out to your strata committee or strata manager. They can help mediate the situation or take appropriate action.

4. Review by-laws: Familiarize yourself with your strata scheme’s by-laws. If your neighbour is violating any of these, you can report it to the strata committee.

5. Use the formal complaint process: Lodge a formal complaint with your strata committee. They are required to address the issue within a reasonable timeframe.

6. Mediation: NSW Fair Trading offers a free mediation service for strata disputes. This can be a good option before escalating to legal action.

7. NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT): If all else fails, you can apply to NCAT for a hearing to resolve the dispute.

Remember, it’s always best to try to resolve issues amicably before escalating to formal procedures. If you’d like more information on any of these steps or have specific questions about your situation, feel free to ask.

Q2: He is a big guy and I feel threatened

I understand that feeling threatened by your neighbour is a serious and stressful situation. Your safety and well-being are paramount. Given this new information, here are some additional steps you should consider:

1. Prioritize your safety: If you ever feel in immediate danger, don’t hesitate to call 000 (emergency services).

2. Document everything: Keep a detailed log of all incidents, including dates, times, and descriptions of any threatening behavior or interactions.

3. Avoid confrontation: Given that you feel threatened, it’s best to avoid direct confrontation with your neighbour.

4. Inform your strata manager: Contact your strata manager or committee immediately. Explain the situation in detail, emphasizing that you feel threatened. They have a duty of care to ensure the safety of all residents.

5. Police report: Consider filing a report with your local police station. While they may not act immediately, it creates an official record of your concerns.

6. Apprehended Violence Order (AVO): If the threatening behavior continues, you might want to consider applying for an AVO. This is a court order that restricts a person’s behavior to protect you.

7. Security measures: Consider installing security cameras or a peephole in your door, if allowed by your strata scheme.

8. Support network: Inform trusted friends, family, or neighbours about the situation so they can check on you regularly.

9. Legal advice: Consider seeking advice from a lawyer specializing in strata law or personal safety issues.

10. NSW Fair Trading: Contact them for advice on handling serious disputes in strata living situations.

Remember, your personal safety is the most important factor. Don’t hesitate to involve authorities if you feel genuinely threatened. If you need more specific advice or have any questions about these steps, please ask.

What do you think about the use of A.I. in strata. There’s a link in the Flat Chat Forum where you can add your ten cents worth and we want to hear it.