Forum: ‘Free’ votes give developer total control
We have a few fascinating questions on the Forum this week but the most intriguing one concerns a new, staged development where the developer has managed to hang on to…
Podcast: Political pleas and battle for the soul of Bondi
It’s a longer than usual podcast this week so strap yourselves in. Firstly we look at the Owners Corporation Network’s (OCN) 10-point manifesto which they have announced leading up to…
Noisy flooring flaws exposed by bodged reno
Here’s a story that will bring a smile to the faces of anyone who has ever suffered the thuds and thumps of an upstairs neighbour who has put down a…
Confusion rules: Design and Building Act explained
When it came to tightening quality control of building work, it was always likely that the new NSW Design and Building and Practitioners Act would have unintended consequences. The Act…
Forum: Sneaky secretary swapped EGM motions
Strata chairs and secretaries can get very sneaky when it comes to manipulating votes. One FlatChatter discovered this when he proposed some expenditure on physical security for an Extraordinary General…
Owners issue 10-point election manifesto
The Owners Corporation Network (OCN) announced this week that they plan to be actively involved in the NSW state election, potentially tapping into the voting power of NSW’s one million-plus…
Fleet of free EVs planned for new strata scheme
Residents of a new green-themed development in St Leonards on Sydney’s North Shore will be able to borrow from a fleet of electric bikes and cars for trips to the…
Podcast: Flooring flaws exposed in reno bodge
There’s a little bit of everything in this week’s podcast. We start with a story about how people who either ignore or don’t know by-laws and regulations (not to mention…
Owners predict chaos as EV charging explodes
Strata owners are warning that the Government-led push towards making electric vehicles more affordable could cause “chaos and conflict” across NSW apartment blocks. Issues range from the number and type…
Forum: Do-nothing strata managers under fire
Strata managers are in the Forum firing line this week. OK, nothing new there, but there’s always a different angle. For instance, one of them hasn’t held an AGM for…
Podcast: Insure bets and hot seat questions
I know we already have two posts up on the website but we couldn’t let the news that an insurer is going to offer a 10-year warranty on new apartment…
Ten-year building warranty is a strata game changer
COMMENT: A crucial element in the NSW apartment building revolution has arrived with the first of the big insurers prepared to take a punt on Chandler’s five-star reforms. As we…