How safe is ‘reasonably’ secure
QUESTION: A lease states that a landlord agrees to provide and maintain locks or other security devices necessary to keep the residential premises reasonably secure. What does this mean? I…
Room for your views on building reforms
Nobody could accuse Fair Trading of not listening – or at least asking us for our opinions. Whether or not they listen will only be known when legislation is drafted.…
Can we be ‘voted out’ of our homes
A couple of worried tenants have asked recently if it’s true that they can be evicted by the executive committees of unit blocks. Executive committees can’t order your eviction directly …
How to deal with a nasty neighbour
QUESTION: We live in a small apartment block where fewer than half the units are owner-occupied. My wife has been secretary of the Owners Corporation for a number of years…
Conscripted to the committee
QUESTION: We are a small Owners Corporation and, because of the added responsibilities and potential legal liabilities on Executive Committee members, we would like to compel all owners to also…
Public tenants, private fears
QUESTION: Is it possible to prevent units in our building from being rented by public housing to rent-assisted tenants? We understand that the government is encouraging owners to enter into…
Reality bites when tenancies tight
Every time we get into a discussion about tenants’ rights – whether it’s on the Herald’s digital pages or the Flat Chat Forum – sooner or later someone says ‘don’t…
Blowing in the wind
Living in a strata development where things aren’t run to your liking is challenging enough. But what if you live next door to a block where something really irritates you?…
The first-time home owners honeytrap
I don’t normally post my own editorials in the Forum but I thought I’d give everyone an opportunity to kick this one around since it got quite a reaction radio…
Trapped in flats with no lift
QUESTION: I rent in a five-story block and the elevator has been out of service for over three days. I have contacted the service provider who says they can’t repair…
Barking up the wrong tree
Nothing gets strata residents’ goat quite like pets … or pet haters. Recently we received a note from a reader who’s been issued with a Notice To Comply by his…
Floods of tears
QUESTION: My apartment was flooded when a guest left a tap on just before we went out. I received a call from my rental agent informing me there was water…