How the cost of hard floors can go through the ceiling
When you live in a concrete and glass tower, putting down a timber floor can have a softening, humanising effect. On the other hand, tiles are more durable and easier to…
Roundup: Who will stand up to the holiday letting liars?
The evidence is stacking up that Airbnb and the other short-term letting agencies have persuaded the majority of our MPs that they should be allowed to operate unhindered by any concern for what they…
Roundup: When the strata manager took his teeth out
A bumper set of Forum links this week signals an uptick in interest in all things strata – and reminds that there are so many people out there who don’t…
Are these the most hated people in strata?
If there are two groups in strata who cop the most grief from residents, it would have to be strata managers and rental agents. In the case of the…
Pressure tells as time runs out on holiday lets
With the government ducking its promised announcement this week on new laws on short term holiday rentals, it may be that they think there may be more of a backlash…
Clear signs the Airbnb battle has been lost
It looks very much like the NSW government is going to cave in to Airbnb bullies and follow the Victorian legislators down the road of a laissez faire attitude to…
Roundup: No deaths in new Dubai cladding fire
Another fire in a flammable aluminium clad building in Dubai reminds us that our politicians are still running around trying to look busy while ignoring the simple facts. The latest…
One simple way to sack your strata chair
Strata stories are often like slapstick comedy – hilarious … provided you’re not the one lying face down in the custard. Recently Flat Chat fielded a question from a…
Queensland caretaker rip-off and repeat
Queensland was one of the first states in Australia to fully embrace strata living and it has, in the past, led the way on many innovations, like secret voting, limits…
Roundup: Confusion as flawed laws revealed
Another week, and the steady trickle of confusion in our daily strata lives is gradually turning into a flood of frustration. Just skimming this website would be enough to give…
Stages of strife when strata shock strikes
Do you have any idea what’s going on in your apartment block? Does every change come as a shock, quickly followed by a range of emotions, just like the five…
Roundup: Abandoned cars and parking barred
Two very different stories about strata appeared in the papers over weekend and they had one thing in common – they were about parking. One was about a court…