Why self-financed upgrade could only happen in NSW
A small one-bedroom flat in North Bondi was listed for auction last week, with the vendors hoping for about $800,000 when it goes to auction early next month. Nothing very…
Five stages of bathroom renovation grief
It’s been about a month since we decided to renovate our 20-year-old bathrooms and we are going through something that is akin to the five stages of grief. Except, instead…
Forum: When ‘she’ll be right’ is oh so wrong
That old chestnut of who is responsible for repairs done on a nod and a wink rears its ugly, unloved head again in this week’s Forum. A Flatchatter writes that…
Podcast: Renos, pets and kids in uncrowded houses
It’s another big week on the podcast front with a lot of serious – and not so serious – issues to discuss. First up we look at this story about…
Six-way stand-off as block stuck in cladding Hell
Owners in an apartment block in the centre of Sydney are caught in a potentially fatal six-way stand-off as owners, developers, builders and the government battle over who is responsible…
Who’s got your back when strata schemes hit strife?
In times of strife and confusion, it’s good to know who’s got your back. It’s even more important to know who hasn’t. Recently in these pages I briefly listed the…
Basement conversions rescue ageing block
The conversion of unused basement spaces to two new flats and the purchase of common property to allow the extension of existing properties, have financed a major upgrade to a…
Commissioner’s lifeline on new-build defects
Owners corporations in relatively new buildings deciding whether to fix building defects themselves or take recalcitrant developers to court – at huge expense and with no guarantee of success –…
Forum: Space invader demands squatters rights
It’s amazing how often this old chestnut comes up and it reminds me of friends who had a “creative” young chap move into their small 1930s walk-up and announce he…
Podcast 91: Crackdown on dud developers hits home
We have one of our longest ever Flat Chat Wrap podcasts this week, but it’s all good so brace yourselves, pace yourselves and buckle up for some interesting material from…
Your email address and the myth of privacy
Imagine you’ve noticed a proposal in your strata scheme to spend too much money on the wrong project or with a contractor you’ve heard overcharges and is unreliable. Strata committee…
Nonsense on both sides of the latest pet debate
There’s a lot of nonsense being spouted on both sides of the pet debate these days. The issue was been stirred up most recently by the Animal Liberationists adding a…