Don’t let the sun go down on your off-the-plan unit
Back in the bad old days, in an overheated market, developers could deliberately delay completion of a unit block, return your deposit then re-sell your unit at a higher price.…
covid
Covid housing response ‘fast but patchy’ – report
National and state governments’ housing policy responses to the pandemic were fast and mostly effective but too often it was left to landlords and tenants to carry the weight of…
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…
Forum: Cashed-up and confused by costs levy
Here’s a bit of a brainteaser. An owners corp has won its tribunal case against a couple of lot owners over unapproved renovations. The OC’s strata manager has now asked…
What the pandemic has taught us about ourselves
There’s a quirky UK comedy series on TV called Taskmaster, in which five comedians are set a series of bizarre physical and logical challenges, usually with hilarious results. At the…
It’s party time: How to go wild but not feral
It’s safe to say that our New Year’s Eve parties will be different this year. For a start, it will be just over two weeks since social gathering restrictions in…
Now tenants can get rent relief compo for landlords
Tenants whose income has been hit hardest by Covid-19 lockdowns of the past few months can now apply directly to compensate landlords who reduced their rents by up to $4500.…
How to lower high-rise risks of copping Covid
Governments are pressing ahead with home quarantine for returning travellers and people are isolating at home due to COVID-19. So now is a good time to think about what you…
Owners call for guidelines on strata facilities
Apartment owners in NSW have called on the state government to issue clear and unambiguous guidelines for the re-opening of communal strata facilities as the state moves towards loosening covid-related…
Forum: Do food deliveries offer milk boxes new life?
Here’s a blast from the past – or is it just case of waiting long enough and a fashion will come round again? Anyone who has lived in or visited…
Podcast: Covid alerts – cover-up or just a cock-up?
Is it a series of cover-ups or just another run of cock-ups? Either way NSW Health is making a mess of its covid alerts when it comes to apartment blocks.…
Poor air quality increases covid risk in high-rises
Apartment residents are at the most risk of COVID-19 cross-infections via both the poor air quality in so many units and the contamination of air in common areas, particularly lifts,…