Would you elect a tenant to your committee?
Years ago I heard about a building in Sydney that was totally dominated by a long-running chairman who was an autocrat and a bully. Residents found his “my way or…
High cost of choosing wrong Tribunal tactics
Anyone heading for a hearing at NCAT who is considering “Trumpifying” their case by overloading the tribunal with documents, denying known facts to confuse the issue, and digging their heels…
How to help your dog beat home-alone blues
As the world begins to move past the restraints of Covid and lockdowns that once seemed endless but are now history, pet owners may be leaving their dogs at home…
Show some respect: A Baby Boomer bites back
A week or so ago, I wrote a column for the Australian Financial Review, based on a comment by a senior strata manager that downsizing Baby Boomers were a new…
Forum: Roof built over yard without permission
QUESTION OF THE WEEK: An owner in a townhouse has built a roof over their courtyard without permission. A Flatchatter has asked whether the owners corporation should ask for this…
Tribunal rescinds pre-sold management contract
For the first time in NSW state history, a tribunal has rescinded a strata building management contract, pre-sold by the developer, finding it to be harsh, oppressive and unconscionable, writes…
Podcast: When your fabulous view disappears
We’ve plundered the Flat Chat Forum for talking points this week, but first we discuss an issue that’s come to Sue from one of her Domain readers. Did you know…
Are Baby Boomers really the new strata baddies?
Who do you think the fastest growing group of strata troublemakers is? Pet owners or pet haters? Airbnb hosts or tenants and owners with by-law blindness? According to some highly…
Burning questions about fire inspections answered
Recently, there have been a number of questions about fire safety inspections and measures on the Flat Chat Forum. Last week, one of our Flatchatters, an accredited Fire Safety Practitioner,…
Forum: Threatened with fine over late-night chats
We’re not judging here but sometimes a question reveals as much about the questioner as it does about the subject. This week one Flatchatter has asked how she can be…
Podcast: Causing strata strife is not okay, Boomers
Entitled, arrogant, ignorant and occasionally abusive – those are some of the accusations that have been levelled at the latest band of baddies to emerge in strata: downsizing Baby Boomers.…
Mascot Tower residents’ assistance to end in June
The NSW Government has agreed to extend the rental assistance package to Mascot Towers resident owners up to the end of June this year. Residents were forced to abandon their…