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…
developers
Podcast: When crims become dodgy developers
It’s hardly a true crime podcast but this week, inspired by connections made in the press between the relatives of property developers and their friends with police records, we wade…
Development industry reforms ‘back on track’
After weeks of turmoil in NSW Fair Trading and in the Building and Property services commissioners’ offices, in particular, the loud and clear message is not so much “business as…
Commish hands out gold stars, extends contract
Building Commissioner David Chandler is about to start handing out gold stars to the most reliable developers in NSW. And he has announced that he has extended his contract with…
Women prosper at the top of the property game
Once, women dreaded walking past building sites or being patronised by real estate agents. But today, it’s increasingly likely that a fair number of those construction workers will be women,…
New Vic strata laws target cronies and contracts
Strata laws have been given a major shake-up in Victoria – and it’s all about consumer protection. As well as including new rules for strata owners and committees, the new…
Insurance plan to drive out dodgy developers
The best and most reliable apartment developers will soon be able to get construction insurance, for the first time in Australia for nearly 20 years, writes Sue Williams. And that…
Hi-viz commish kicking butt and naming names
To some, he’s a knight in shining armour, a hero in a hi-viz. To others, he’s the devil incarnate. But wherever anyone might stand on the subject of rampaging NSW…
How Flat Chat grew from a bitter defects battle
Believe it or not, the 200th edition of Flat Chat to appear in the Australian Financial Review was published at the weekend. But that’s not half of it – not…
Star ratings to reduce risk in off-the-plan purchases
NSW off-the-plan apartment buyers will soon be able to access “star ratings” for developers and discover that their money may not be as safe as houses when they take the…
‘DNA’ records to keep tabs on dodgy developers
New apartment buildings in NSW – and possibly the rest of Australia – will soon have a “digital DNA” that will allow prospective purchasers, incoming owners, strata professionals and government…
Insurance failures add $16k to cost of NSW flats
It has not been widely reported, but Building Commissioner David Chandler has a big dream for apartments in the state – that one day commercial insurers will return to the…