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  • #11378
    Miranda
    Flatchatter

      Hi, Just moved about 6 weeks ago to a strata building that has a main electric security gate for the cars that needs a remote.     When I’m leaving and use the remote it opens quickly, but getting back in takes forever.  I’ve sat out there for 5 minutes clicking away until finally it works.  I’ve tried parking closer, further away and it doesn’t help.  What I’m wanting to know is as I probably need a new remote who  is responsible to pay for it,   the flat owner (me)  or the Strata corp?   Thanks. 

    Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)
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    • #28350
      communityresident
      Flatchatter

        Not sure if it is the owner or the tenant, but not the Strata.  Get ready for the price to be well over what the remotes are worth.  This is why so many people I suspect never replace them unless they have nothing else left.

        You may be able to go to somewhere and just replace the battery.  However I’m sure legally no-one is supposed to tell you to fix yourself as it could be “unsafe” however my husband who is a handy sort of guy bought a new battery and replaced it for me.  It was somewhere like Jaycar or similar. Take in the remote and they may even do it for you.  You may need a Philips head screwdriver to open the remote as well often is the case with items like these, often parents these days might have one due to toys having lots of batteries and it stops our clever clogs’ being able to open them with small items as batteries are dangerous to small children if ingested, even cheap $2 shops have these similar type screwdriver heads…

        Perhaps check your lease if any mention is made about cost etc. and if the just have to supply you a remote, whether working or not etc.  I needed to get the details from our Strata who we use – as it will be someone who has a monopoly usually for the building for ordering – as imitations don’t work, or won’t work for long suggest not to waste money on those, no matter how tempting.

        #28351
        Jimmy-T
        Keymaster

          I’d lay a pound to a penny that this is just a flat battery.  Most locksmiths or key cutters will do this for you … and it’s not a legal issue or an owners corp issue either.

          By the way, congrats to “community resident” for using “the strata” within hours of my having written about how much it annoys me.

          The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
          #28357
          Miranda
          Flatchatter
          Chat-starter

            Ah a new battery.  That sounds doable.  Thanks a lot .

            Er Jimmy where did you write about “the strata”?

            #28365
            Jimmy-T
            Keymaster

              @Miranda said:
              Er Jimmy where did you write about “the strata”?  

              A very grumpy post at the end of this thread.

              The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
              #28368
              fcd
              Flatchatter

                All wireless devices use radio signals to communicate and it sounds like there is some sort of difference in signal strength reaching the receiving antenna on the gate whether you are going out or coming in.

                It could be a larger distance when coming in and the remote signal is weak – A new battery in the remote will help.

                But also check that there is a clear line of ‘sight’ from the remote to the antenna;
                – No metal parts of the gate or other large blockages between the two.
                – The position of the remote is not behind some part of the body of the car. (Does using it pointed through the windscreen, or holding it outside the car window make it better?)

                #28369
                Miranda
                Flatchatter
                Chat-starter

                  @JimmyT said:

                  A very grumpy post at the end of this thread.  

                  Ah thanks,  gotcha   🙂

                  #28375
                  Boronia
                  Flatchatter

                    If it is working inside the building, but not outside, it may be a fault with the receiver. Usually they have some form of antenna (or maybe even two) to pick up the signal. Perhaps you could find out if other residents have the same problem?

                    #28376
                    Miranda
                    Flatchatter
                    Chat-starter


                      @fcd
                      said:
                      All wireless devices use radio signals to communicate and it sounds like there is some sort of difference in signal strength reaching the receiving antenna on the gate whether you are going out or coming in.

                      It could be a larger distance when coming in and the remote signal is weak – A new battery in the remote will help.

                      But also check that there is a clear line of ‘sight’ from the remote to the antenna;
                      – No metal parts of the gate or other large blockages between the two.
                      – The position of the remote is not behind some part of the body of the car. (Does using it pointed through the windscreen, or holding it outside the car window make it better?)  

                      Well i got a new battery put in and it hasn’t made the slightext difference 🙁 

                      Re clear line of sight…when I’m going out i just point it and it is behind the dashboard and it works.  But coming in i have to  open the window and hold my arm out, or sometimes get out of the car.  Even then it takes a lot of clicks.  

                      I would have thought the owner corp wd be responsible for a new one as it surely applies to common property?  (Though don’t like my chances)

                      #28377
                      Jimmy-T
                      Keymaster


                        @Miranda
                        said:

                        Re clear line of sight…when I’m going out i just point it and it is behind the dashboard and it works.  But coming in i have to  open the window and hold my arm out, or sometimes get out of the car.  Even then it takes a lot of clicks.  

                        Are you the only resident who has this problem?

                        It sounds most likely that there’s an obstruction of some kind that isn’t in the way when you are inside the garage, but is when you are outside.

                        As your neighbours or building manager (if you have one) or writ to the strata committee secretary.  It’s not that the remote isn’t working – it’s that it isn’t working when you are outside.

                        Find out is something has changed since the remote receiver was installed.  And, yes, it’s the OC’s responsibility – if your remote belongs to them in the first place.

                        The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
                        #28382
                        Boronia
                        Flatchatter

                          The remote for my car has a much greater range if I point it at my head, rather than directly at the car (honestly). I don’t know if the same logic applies to garage doors.

                          One word of possible warning though. A few years ago, our garage door had a rather sensitive aerial and it could be activated from outside from some distance away. The remote has a single press button which will raise or lower the door depending on its current status. On one occasion an entering resident had pressed the button without actually being able to see the door from the street. But another driver had already opened the door and was about to depart, when suddenly the door came down in front of him. After the repairs, the aerial was “retuned” to reduce its sensitivity, and similar to the OP it does take some fiddling to get open from the outside at times.

                          #28384
                          fcd
                          Flatchatter

                            Re clear line of sight…when I’m going out i just point it and it is behind the dashboard and it works.  But coming in i have to  open the window and hold my arm out, or sometimes get out of the car.  Even then it takes a lot of clicks.  

                            The gate control system and its receiving antenna can be in a different location than the gate itself. You need to think about distance and direction to the antenna, NOT distance from the gate.

                             

                            I would have thought the owner corp wd be responsible for a new one as it surely applies to common property?  (Though don’t like my chances)  

                            Owners Corp has NO control over how you or previous resident/s handle the remote control. E.g., Dropped a lot, Put through the wash, Button pushed too hard all the time, etc., etc.
                            So it’s common for the remote control for the gate to be deemed property of the individual Lot (like your front door key), but that isn’t necessarily always the case.

                            We can’t know the details of your individual circumstances- you need to ask a member of your building’s OC committee, or the Strata manager (sends you your levy notices etc).

                            #28387
                            communityresident
                            Flatchatter

                              @JimmyT said:
                              I’d lay a pound to a penny that this is just a flat battery.  Most locksmiths or key cutters will do this for you … and it’s not a legal issue or an owners corp issue either.

                              By the way, congrats to “community resident” for using “the strata” within hours of my having written about how much it annoys me.  

                              Unfortunately I had not had the chance to read all of your posts Jimmy to know what peeves you on using a particular word.  I will know never to use that word again.

                              However I’m oblivious and perhaps a little (or a lot) stupid about what is the issue with the word Strata as it refers to the management of the building.  Do you have an issue with anyone using the word Real Estate Agent, or perhaps Landlord.

                              Did you have a bad day when you wrote the post about my comment on using “The Strata”?!

                              I hope your day has got better since then.  

                              CM.

                              #28389
                              Jimmy-T
                              Keymaster

                                @communityresident said:

                                However I’m oblivious and perhaps a little (or a lot) stupid about what is the issue with the word Strata as it refers to the management of the building.  Do you have an issue with anyone using the word Real Estate Agent, or perhaps Landlord.

                                Did you have a bad day when you wrote the post about my comment on using “The Strata”?!

                                I hope your day has got better since then.    

                                I’m sorry you have chosen to take this personally but, since you mention it, “The Strata” is meaningless.  The strata manager, the strata committee, the strata scheme, the strata chair, the strata secretary, the strata plan … all have specific and different meanings. 

                                But saying “I wrote to the strata …” is like saying “I wrote to the Sydney …”

                                If you’re having a pop at me because you can’t see the difference, you are pretty much missing the point.

                                The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
                                #28408
                                Miranda
                                Flatchatter
                                Chat-starter

                                  Thanks everyone for your input….  that’s a good point about pointing the remote to the right spot wherever that may be. I’ve just moved here and the committee set up is a shambles, the Strata Manager seems to have all the power.  I was on the committee of my previous flats for 20 years so have some experience, though we didn’t have electronic gates.  An AGM is coming up thank goodness so I have a few things for the agenda!   🙂

                                  #28432
                                  communityresident
                                  Flatchatter

                                    @JimmyT said:

                                    I’m sorry you have chosen to take this personally but, since you mention it, “The Strata” is meaningless.  The strata manager, the strata committee, the strata scheme, the strata chair, the strata secretary, the strata plan … all have specific and different meanings. 

                                    But saying “I wrote to the strata …” is like saying “I wrote to the Sydney …”

                                    If you’re having a pop at me because you can’t see the difference, you are pretty much missing the point.  

                                    Not taken personal JimmyT.  Online communication is not always sent and then received in how it meant to be.  I stand corrected, of course.

                                    I personally have been very grateful to you for your help in the times I have asked for advice.  In the building where I live our building’s Executive Committee has been many things, most of the time the truth not something useful and even underhanded to put it politely.  Nice to be able to speak to someone knowledgeable in a neutral setting.  To be honest I am probably am on edge, tired from sleep deprivation from a slamming wrought iron security gate over last few months: that’s another story altogether.  

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