Smoke signals for Clean Strata
Our recent news feature about the strata block in Ashfield that banned smoking INSIDE people’s apartments certainly got people talking – all the commercial TV stations and many radio stations…
Slumlords squeezing tenants
This week’s Herald investigation into foreign students exploited by ruthless landlords has exposed some brutally ugly facts of rental life in Sydney, including sexual blackmail, massive fraud and illegal development.…
Developers who can’t let go
Imagine if you bought a car based on a test drive of the same model and maybe a picture in glossy brochure, but when it turned up, it had two…
Rental agents’ games no fun
A caller to the Flat Chat spot on the James Valentine radio show last week unearthed a grubby little scheme by an Inner West real estate agent. Our listener had…
New broom’s sweeping challenge
So now we have a new minister of Fair Trading – a position we have, in the past, called a “training wheel” ministry. If Fair Trading Ministers are any good,…
On-site or on the nose
A lot of renters (and investors) love having on-site managers in their buildings. The good ones are there when you need them, looking after the building while avoiding the petty…
A pox on your proxies
QUESTION: Is there any organised lobbying going on to limit the number of proxies that may be held by any one owner at general meetings? I believe that in Queensland…
Water torture
QUESTION: I have moved into an older building and my problem starts EVERY night at 1.30 am when my upstairs neighbour has a shower. Without fail I get woken by…
Can EC members be paid?
It’s often said that the problem with most Executive Committees is that the people you would like to be running them are too busy earning money to pay their…
Premium dilemma
QUESTION: I insure my investment unit with a landlords insurance policy covering contents damage, personal liability and loss of rent. The contents have been ‘written down’ to an amount where…
Rent reduction removed
QUESTION: My bedroom ceiling developed a leak from common property and there was water damage to the walls. My landlord but did nothing so I called Fair Trading and they…
Barbecue court battle
Enjoy your balcony barbecues while you can. If one Flat Chat reader has his way they will soon be banned by the Supreme Court. “The smoke and smell comes through…