A Look Up Strata reader, who is a lot owner from NSW is concerned about their building’s new strata dog laws. Can they still mind a medium-sized dog for a few weeks this Christmas, or does this require permission from the Owners Corporation? Answer: Strictly speaking, because they are minding a “medium” sized dog (rather…
This month we celebrated Premium Strata’s 10 year anniversary! We are proud of what we achieved and what Premium Strata stands for, and wanted to share this overview with key events and achievements. How it all began. After working in some of Sydney’s bigger strata management agencies, Leanne founded the agency in 2007 when…
A Look Up Strata reader in NSW wanted to know whether his unregistered project vehicle, parked in his assigned parking space without causing any disturbance, can be towed away by the Owners Corporation. One of his neighbours warned him that if he didn’t move the vehicle within two weeks, the car would be towed of…
A Look Up Strata reader living in a NSW strata titled building where the majority of the strata executive committee has resigned from their positions, wanted to know what could be done. The cause for these mass resignations is one long-term committee member who is trying to retain control of the building and how the…
A Look Up Strata reader wanted to understand what the rules are around the installation of sun shades in strata titled buildings in NSW. Question: What are the requirements for the installation of sun shades for apartment balconies where they were not on the original Development Application? Our response is that it is definitively…
A while ago J.S. Mueller & Co Lawyers published an interesting article about access to strata titled buildings for disabled residents. The article dealt with the important question whether an Owners Corporation must modify common property to accommodate the less able residents. “These residents may not be able to pass to and from their lots unless…
The new Strata Schemes Management Act, which came into effect on 30 November 2016, stipulated the need for owners’ to review their existing by-laws within 12 months to determine whether they require any customisation to suit residents’ lifestyle. This deadline is now looming. A LookUpStrata reader…
On 23 October 2017, John Gabor won the Rotary Club of Parramatta City Pride of Workmanship Award 2017. John works as a building manager for our sister company Premium Building Management. Since 1976 Pride of Workmanship Awards have recognised enthusiasm and commitment to high quality work in the local community. John was nominated by an owner in Rise Apartments…
We have previously posted on the new window safety requirements, which come into effect in NSW on 13 March 2018. “To prevent children falling from windows, all strata buildings in NSW must be fitted with devices that enable their windows to be locked at 12.5cm when the devices are engaged. Owners corporations must have devices installed…
A LookUpStrata reader in NSW wanted to know whether Owners Corporation permission is required to install an internal sliding door to prevent the smell of cooking in the kitchen escaping to the other rooms. We provided the following response: Technically speaking you do not…
LookUpStrata has an interesting article regarding self-managing a strata scheme, which we wanted to share with you. The author, who is not a strata manager, listed a number of key reasons against self-managing a scheme and in favour of using the services of a fully licensed and experienced strata manager. We have summarised these for…
A LookUpStrata reader wanted to know what can be done about tenants who use the garage of their strata unit in NSW as a spare bedroom, and wondered whether this was even legal. In summary, our response was that a garage is not deemed a “habitable” area and therefore, in all likelihood, the tenants are…
The strata Community Australia – NSW is organising a seminar this Thursday, 12 October 2017, on everything you need to know if you want to renovate your strata titled apartment. A panel of expert speakers will be available to answer your questions. This event will be held at the Sebel Hotel in Chatswood (37 Victor…
Following the commencement of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW) the secretary of an owners corporation must keep a consolidated up to date copy of the by-laws for the strata scheme. (You can read more about the new Act here) One large change is that since 30 November 2016 the LPI has issued a…
One of our clients contacted us with the above question. The answer to this question is very simple – No. You do not need to include explanatory notes for each and every motion on an agenda. The only legal requirement to provide explanatory notes arises from Section 4 of Schedule 1 of the Strata Schemes…
A LookUpStrata reader, who works as a building manager in NSW, wanted to know whether the owners corporation can lease out additional visitor parking spaces to a retail lot owner, and what the correct process would be to establish such an arrangement. In summary, the fact that this concerns visitors parking complicates this matter. Whereas…
Dealing with rubbish has its unique challenges and opportunities when living in apartment blocks. Strata Community Australia (SCA NSW) and the City of Parramatta are co-hosting a seminar focused on sustainable waste issues and solutions for strata owners including recycling, illegal dumping and bins. Expert speakers will bring to light experiences and case studies from…
A LookUpStrata reader wanted to know which steps they should take to obtain the appropriate approval before renovating their strata titled unit in NSW. People who attended our Client Forum on 17 July will know the answer to this, as it was covered in Monika Jandrek’s presentation. In summary they should have a lawyer prepare…
On Monday, 17 July 2017, we had our very successful ‘Smarter Strata’ owner seminar at the Grand Central Room at the Mercure Hotel in Sydney’s CBD. We organised this event to help owners understand how the Strata Reforms introduced late last year, may impact strata living. We had a full house, with over 100 people attending this…
Jimmy T from the Flat-Chat website posted this informative article covering typical mistakes made by people who are new to strata living. The top 10 Forgetting about Strata Levies as part of your budget Not getting involved with the management of the strata building Not complaining about noise in the building Assuming, and blindly believing…