The trouble with tenants (it’s us)
There are two major problems with tenants. Firstly, we treat them with contempt and disdain and then wonder why some of them – a tiny minority – behave badly. Then…
Strata regs: The legals have landed
The new strata regulations are with us and it is interesting to see what kind of flesh they have put on the bones of the impending strata law reforms. Regulations are…
Roundup: Fear and loathing on the Forum
The Forum has been busy this week with a variety of questions: straight, curly and occasionally just a little bit crazy. What do you do when your committee ignores an…
Tenants Union hits 40
Over the past few years, we have been grateful to Tenants Union for the advice offered on their website. We haven’t always agreed on everything but we’re glad they’re around.…
Don’t panic: strata changes explained
Confused about the new legislation? Scared, even? Why wouldn’t you be – there are 90 different changes to NSW strata laws, plus all the regulations on top of that, ranging from…
Proxy block: Get ready for online voting
All over Strataland, you can hear the wails of distress as desperate proxy vote hoarders look into the abyss of the new laws and the introduction of electronic voting. On…
Where the noise upstairs really comes from
I think sometimes we maybe take ourselves a bit too seriously. Having said that, the above video was sent to us by a long-time Flatchatter who has the unique distinction…
Roundup: Short stays, vote stacking and even praise for NCAT
The discussion on whether or not you can pass a by-law to ban short-stay or holiday lets trundles on. It seems that you can but if a determined holiday letter…
Short-stay ban overturned by NCAT
Last week, the Supreme Court in Melbourne ruled that owners corporations could not pass by-laws banning short-stay lets, such as through Airbnb, in apartment buildings. This is a big win…
Will Victoria’s pro-Airbnb ruling affect NSW
Last Friday, the Victorian Supreme court ruled that owners corporations in that state did not have the right to ban short-stay lets, which is a major blow to any unit…
Unit living: You never had it so good
In the great welter of anti-apartment material that has been published over the years, the minor, humorous whinge about the difficulties of living in flats that appeared in Fairfax online…
Roundup: Sitting on defence
OK, I admit it. I am obsessed with apartments. And, considering that I spend every day and most of my nights wading through your problems and complaints, I should be…