Free webinar to focus on strata security
Security is one benefit of apartment living that’s frequently cited as a major attraction. But while high-tech security systems can add value to your property, they can also be costly…
Podcast: Toplace crash leaves Vicinity in limbo
There’s only one story in strata this week – Toplace, the developer of the benighted Vicinity building, went into receivership, leaving owners with an estimated bill of between $50m and…
Up to five more Mascots facing possible disaster
There could be as many as five apartment blocks in NSW teetering on the brink of forced evacuation – as befell the Mascot and Opal Towers four years ago –…
Forum: Strata split built into small block
It’s school holiday time so most of our readers have headed off for a vacation, leaving their strata woes behind them. Either that or they can’t get to their computers…
Podcast: Is Airbnb the solution, not the problem?
Whether you love or loathe Airbnb, you have to admit its founder, Brian Chesky, is a pretty smart guy. Anyone who can parlay an idea to rent an airbed in…
Apartment rents soar in our two biggest cities
Australia’s rents are continuing to rise rapidly, with median rents hitting record highs across five of the eight capital cities over the past three months. And it’s renters in units…
Victoria councils want curbs on holiday lets
The Municipal Associations of Victoria (MAV) – the umbrella body for all the local government bodies in the state – has called on the state government to impose restrictions on…
Airbnb back to basics as global backlash bites
You may have noticed an increase in glossy TV ads of late, showing nice people moving in with even nicer people, usually somewhere exotic. Then the Airbnb logo appears, launching…
Forum: Newlyweds’ dream shattered by shonk
There’s a sad tale from Victoria on the website this week, concerning a newly-wed couple who put their hopes, dreams and First Homeowners grant into a two-bed flat in Prahran.…
Why the Otto2 case study is such a big deal
For the past couple of weeks we have been writing (and talking) about a case study that detailed the battle of one block in Sydney that got bogged down in…
Podcast: Chandler unpacks case study facts
Last week we discussed the new report from the NSW Office of the Building Commissioner – they’re calling it a case study – titled “Broken Promises, Blame Games and Balconies”.…
Burned and spurned by a phoenixing developer
People have recently asked what my problem is with Victoria. Actually, it’s a number of things, including a serious dearth of transparency, accountability and due process for owners who have…