Forum: Something fishy going on down by the pool
One of the reasons I love this job is that, even though we are often asking and answering variations on the same questions, almost every week I get a query…
Podcast: Holiday let free-for-all (except investors)
It’s Airbnb (and Stays etc etc) all the way in this week’s podcast (sorry!) as we discuss the implications of Jimmy’s belated discovery that the Sydney-only by-laws banning holiday lets…
Airbnb by-law bounced over fob-cancelling clause
A Sydney apartment complex has had its entire “no-airbnb” by-law rescinded after an appeals tribunal confirmed two clauses in the four-page by-law were invalid. The first clause would have allowed…
When the shine wears off golden oldie apartments
There are innumerable good reasons for wanting to buy an apartment – it could be empty nesters downsizing from a McMansion, renters upgrading to a place of their own, or…
Forum: Delayed complaint leads to doubt over debt
Here’s a tricky one from a Flatchatter who wants to do the right thing but isn’t sure how much he should actually do. The problem is that the owner downstairs…
Strata residents dodge holiday let by-law bans
UPDATED: Feb 10. With Australia’s borders about to open to overseas tourists, there is considerable confusion over who can and can’t let their flats as holiday lets in strata blocks…
Podcast: Another blow to ‘no-pets’ buildings
There’s another very mixed bag this week but it’s mostly good news in these trying times. Up in Queensland, the tribunal there is chipping away at restrictive pet by-laws in…
Live where you love, buy where you can afford
First-time buyers and investors can have the best of both worlds – live where they want and buy an affordable property, rent it out but have a toehold in a…
Trafalgar loses another battle in dog fight
A controversial mixed-use holiday rental and residential building has lost another battle in its continuing, long-running war against pets in the building. Thanks to a Queensland Body Corporate Commission tribunal…
Forum: No lift for aged and disabled for 10 days
This week’s forum features a sad tale from a SEPP5 (aged and disabled scheme) where it sounds like the majority in the newer part of the scheme are just letting…
Podcast: No pets, smoke, airbnb hosts or excuses
This week the pod is lighting up (but not inhaling) the smoking ban placed on a Queensland apartment resident who’s been ordered to take her habit inside and off her…
Too-hard basket smoked out by duty-of-care ruling
There’s an interesting side issue to the Queensland smoke-drift case resolved at a tribunal in December last year. And it could spell the beginning of the end for the “too-hard…