Podcast: Woman who married her cat – the facts
Sometimes the fur flies at weddings, and things can certainly get catty between landlords and tenants but, as we explore in this week’s podcast, a woman has taken things to…
Focus on defects and disasters, pocket $100
Want to add to academics’ collective knowledge about living in strata and all the … um .. challenges it presents, and score a couple of $50 vouchers for doing so?…
Don’t let the sun go down on your off-the-plan unit
Back in the bad old days, in an overheated market, developers could deliberately delay completion of a unit block, return your deposit then re-sell your unit at a higher price.…
Forum: When rising damp is no laughing matter
One of the funniest shows ever on TV was a British sitcom called Rising Damp. What does it have to do with strata? Well, it was about young and not-so-young…
Commish hands out gold stars, extends contract
Building Commissioner David Chandler is about to start handing out gold stars to the most reliable developers in NSW. And he has announced that he has extended his contract with…
Podcast: Flat-sharing – there’s an app for that
In this week’s podcast we dive into the exciting world of flat-sharing … something neither of us have done for at least 30 years. How different can it all be…
Flip or stick – buying off the off-the-plan buyer
You like the idea of a brand new apartment, but you’re nervous about buying off the plan before construction has even started? An increasing number of people are now choosing…
EV charging: Power games and current resistance
Here on the Flat Chat website, the issue of electric vehicle charging has been one of the most-read and most-commented topics we have had of late. Personal stories on the…
Heat on planners and pollies as cities swelter
Poor building standards and soaring energy costs are forcing one in three Australians out of their flats and houses and into air-conditioned shopping centres and community facilities during heat waves.…
Forum: Vendor gets that sinking fund feeling
It’s been a quiet weekend on the Forum. The effect of chocolate on your ability to put up with your neighbours is worthy of a PhD (if it hasn’t been…
Different strata strokes for different states’ folks
As we frequently remind readers, strata laws are different across the different states in Australia. Sometimes the differences are minor but occasionally they are glaring and speak to the culture…
Podcast: When what you see is not what you’ll get
This week, we delve into the dark arts employed by real estate agents and property stylists to persuade you that an absolute lemon is, in fact, your dream “forever home.”…