DEFT Cash Payments are changing

Recent changes have been made to cash DEFT payments made at Australia Post. Do these changes affect me?  These changes will impact you if you pay your rent, strata levies, insurance premiums or other DEFT bills via cash at Australia Post. What alternate payment options are there? The payment methods available are determined by your…

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Winners of the Strata Community Management Business – Medium Award

    We are proud to announce that Premium Strata was awarded the Strata Community Association Management Business – Medium award at the Strata Community CHU Awards of Excellence last Thursday night. These awards recognise businesses and individuals who make a significant contribution to the strata industry and community. We are so proud of our…

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Paper Certificates of Title will be abolished from October 11, 2021

  The Registrar General of NSW Land Registry Services has announced another phase in the transition away from paper-based registration of land dealings and titles in New South Wales and 100% electronic conveyancing. From 11th October 2021, paper or physical certificates of title were abolished and these amendments will be effected through the Real Property Amendment (Certificates…

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Latest Strata Developments for New South Wales

  The Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Sustainability Infrastructure) Act, 2021 No 1 (NSW) (the “Amendment Act”) has introduced important amendments to the Strata Schemes Management Act, 2015 (NSW)(the “Act”). Keeping of animals You may have seen the media coverage of the landmark NSW Court of Appeal decision in Cooper v The Owners – Strata Plan No. 58068 [2020] NSWCA 250 (“Cooper”) which…

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Strata takes a Big Step into the future

  There have been 2 major developments at the Strata Community Association (NSW). Appointment of General Manager The SCA has just announced the appointment of Sadiye Ince General Manager, who will take on the full time  position immediately. Sadiye has worked with the SCA for many years where she was able to see the intricate workings…

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NSW Building Industry Springs into New Beginnings

  Strata is thriving this Spring! The NSW Government along with David Chandler and the Office of the Building Commissioner are steaming ahead in cementing NSW as a Building Industry powerhouse. With the recent building industry failings and development oversights that have come to light in NSW the OBC has been granted new powers. As…

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Beirut needs your help!

  It has been one week since the horrific explosion in Beirut that sent shock waves throughout the world. The explosion killed at least 200 people, thousands injured and hundreds still missing. Some 80,000 children have been displaced with families affected in desperate need of support. Premium Strata has donated to the Red Cross and…

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July 2020 Changes to Strata Schemes – What you Need to Know

  Rectification of building defects amendments to the Strata Schemes Management Act, 2015 (NSW) (“SSMA”) commenced on 1st July 2020 pursuant to the Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Building Defects Scheme) Act, 2018 (NSW).  These are welcome new laws which increase the rights of owners corporations to make claims against builders, developers and others to have…

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NSW Q&A: Executive Committee Member Voting

Question: Our Strata is in NSW. Is a member of an Executive Committee eligible to vote on a motion they put forward? I understand the Committee members have a responsibility to make decisions on behalf of all lot owners, not for personal gain. Answer:  You are correct.  Sch 1 Cl 18 of the Strata Schemes Management Act,…

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NSW Q&A: Legal Responsibilities of Sub-Committees

Question: Do sub-committees have the same legal responsibilities as Strata Committees under By-Laws and NSW Legislation in terms of issuing agendas and recording (and distributing to lot owners) minutes of meetings. Lot owners here suspect the committee is avoiding discussions with residents and committing to expenditure by declaring that they are meeting as a “sub-committee”….

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Can parking in your own car space be considered a nuisance?

In a recent decision of The Owners Strata Plan No 2245 v Veney [2020] NSWSC 134 (Veney Case), the Supreme Court of NSW was asked to consider: whether they could make a declaration implying an additional term into an exclusive use by-law, being a by-law which gave the relevant owner the exclusive use of a common property car…

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NSW Q&A: Strata Court Dispute Over Dog

Question: Due to complaints from one neighbour, our strata is trying to take us to court over our small dog. Other neighbours confirm the dog is fine. Do I have any right to keep the dog and not get taken to court? Our strata is currently trying to take us to court over our small…

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