Mascot owners’ plan to walk away is blocked
Owners in the Mascot tower have failed in their efforts to have the collective sale of the block authorised so that they could sell the site to the highest bidder…
Labor
Podcast: Power shifts but does strata matter?
Ah, the perils of trusting poll predictions immediately after an election. While Labor have definitely won and Chris Minns is definitely the new Premier of NSW, the balance of power…
What negative gearing changes could mean to you
With big changes to negative gearing on investment properties proposed by Labor, SUE WILLIAMS looks at what a change of government might mean to the value of your apartments. The…
NSW Election special: Whose policies are best for apartment residents?
With an election in NSW next weekend (March 23), and another for the whole country just a couple of months away, apartment owners and residents who aren’t rusted on to…
Flat Chat Wrap #16 – Election fever mounts as the shadow minister speaks
Labor spokesperson for Better Regulations and Innovation (and Fair Trading) Yasmin Catley calls in on the Flat Chat podcast … and part two of the chat with OCN chair Phil…
Strata Commissioner plan signals sea change in political thinking
The revelation this week the NSW Labor plans to create a new Strata Commissioner, should they win government, has been met with surprise and relief across the strata community. As…
NSW Labor promises strata commissioner to tackle defects
EXCLUSIVE: By Sue Williams and Jimmy Thomson A dedicated Strata Commissioner to protect apartment owners and residents and restore confidence in the strata sector will be introduced by the Labor…
Opal Tower owners don’t know how lucky they are
The owners of apartments in the now notorious Opal Tower probably don’t realise it, but they are lucky. Obviously, it was bad luck that supporting walls in their building in…
The day Airbnb came round to complain
About two years ago, I got a phone call from two of my editors at the Sydney Morning Herald. I should say “former editors” – none of us work there…
Labor to introduce Airbnb register, halving listings
The NSW Labor party is likely to introduce compulsory registrations of Airbnb-style short-term holiday lets (STHL), if it wins power at next year’s state election. And that could see STHL numbers…
Flat Chat: ‘Ghost’ flats proposal running on empty
As much as we are appalled at the thought of brand new apartments lying empty for years, the proposal to tax ‘ghost’ investments – first touted by Labor then slotted…