Victoria is about to undergo its biggest changes to strata laws since 2006. Just think, that was before the first iPhone was released and if you’d had a kid back then, they’d already be off down the pub with their mates.

Engage Vic wants the state’s strata dwellers’ opinions so they have put out a call for comments. But you’ll have to be quick as the deadline is only a few weeks away.

They plan to start with a review of the last set of amendments they made, including the impact of short-stay accommodation like Airbnb. Giving Docklands back to Melburnians would be a major step forward.

They will also examine hardship arrangements, where a lot owner is having trouble paying their fees, as well as any need for stronger measures to enforce breaches of the Act and voting requirements in OCs. 

The review is also going to look at collective sales of older buildings, where a majority of owners want to sell a crumbling block to developers but it required a unanimous vote. 

Don’t worry, NSW introduced a similar law in 2016 and its impact was almost negligible – except that people who might have held their neighbours to ransom to get a better deal for themselves now can’t, so deals just get done.

Julie McLean, former president of Strata Community Association (Vic), the strata managers’ peak body, was less than impressed this week on Linkedin.

“Engage Vic pretends to want to hear what we think,” she wrote. “They are so interested, they have given you just 27 days to respond to this “extensive review”.

“Nonetheless, get cracking and start responding. Encourage everyone in your circle to lodge.”

Hear, hear to that!  You don’t get too many chances to make a difference is strata so you have to take them when they come along.

Engage Vic says the review is being conducted by an independent expert panel, who will be supported by a consultant. You can lodge your thoughts, hopes and brilliant ideas HERE.