Costs and delays behind renovation war of words
As we often say here, apartment living can be a minefield of unintended consequences. And it even sees battles in which neither of two diametrically opposed forces are wrong. It…
Forum: ‘Not our problem’ by-law has huge flaw
Here’s a neat trick by a strata committee determined that owners should not take responsibility for anything in the building – potentially saving themselves a lot of dough. They have…
Podcast: A load of rubbish and advice for Jackie O
This week we look at how one of the greatest conveniences in apartment blocks could be not only costing you money but undermining efforts at recycling. The humble garbage chute…
Water-proofing expert quits over new law
Last week a builder and waterproofer emailed us in despair. New regulations make it almost impossible for him to continue doing the work he’s been performing efficiently and effectively for…
Do we chute ourselves in the foot with garbage?
Here’s a brain-teaser for apartment residents – there may be a sign in your block that says “no bottles, newspapers, coat hangers, cigarettes, umbrellas or brooms.” What’s it for? The…
Forum: Dog runs free around shared pool
There are few things more likely to get strata residents’ noses out of joint than inconsiderate neighbours with an overdeveloped sense of entitlement. Not only did a couple move out…
Podcast: Rents, rooftops and electrical resistance
We all know there’s a housing shortage and we are seeing signs of overseas workers and students coming back to our cities, so it should be no surprise that rents…
Curb your balcony barbies before they are banned
OPINION: The recent about a successful case brought by a NSW couple to prevent their neighbours from smoking on their balcony, and their call for a state-wide ban, raised the…
Owners demand covid plan for apartment blocks
Apartment owners have called on the next government in NSW to come up with a coherent plan for what apartment managers can and should do in the event of another…
Forum: Strata Managers under serious scrutiny
Strata managers have shuffled into the Forum spotlight this week, prompting questions about, it seems, lack of knowledge or understanding of basic strata law. Take a co-owner self-nominating for election…
Webinar to tackle common property questions
Is the wall between my bathroom and lounge room common property? What about my ceiling? Or my floating timber floor? The questions of what is or isn’t common property and…
Podcast: BBQs and secret committee meetings
A couple of issues popped on to the Flat Chat radar while we were off being festive. One was all about smoking on balconies which, if that wasn’t serious enough,…