Yapping Dogs I live in a very large Strata unit complex and there is an overload of dogs here – almost like a Canine Hotel – but all in all they are well mannered but there are those, that, at times bark and yap for an hour to 5 hours at a time. I find it to…
As a trusted Strata Insurance partner, we strive to keep our clients updated and informed. This update seeks to define the key factors impacting the pricing and availability of strata insurance in the current market, so that you can make an informed choice on the best offer of insurance. CURRENT MARKET CONDITIONS For the…
Question: If a strata block of units is zoned residential, can someone operate a manufacturing business from a unit? The person with the manufacturing business does not live in the building but owns the lot. It is like listening to someone urinating into a toilet bowl 24/7. Strata management is unable to offer any…
Question: Does the strata Committee have the legal right to sell framed art pieces in common areas without all lot owner’s permission? Answer: Yes, a general meeting of the Owners Corporation would be required and there are likely local council consent and insurance implications. We consider that, at minimum, the Owners Corporation would need…
Question: I believe one of our bylaw is harsh, unconscionable or unreasonable. As a lot owner, should I apply to NCAT for the Tribunal to decide or should concerns first be raised to the Strata Committee or at a General Meeting? Answer: The procedure is to make an application for an Order declaring the…
Question: Although our committee is made up of 8 members, the position of Treasurer, Secretary and Chairperson are all held by the same person. Is there something in legislation to say this can be or can’t be done? Answer: This scenario is contemplated by the strata legislation. This scenario is contemplated by the strata…
Strata Hub is nearly ready to go live! As you will have read from our previous newsletters, the NSW Government has introduced a new portal, Strata Hub, to enable ease of access to key information relating to strata schemes. There has been a delayed start date due to the large number of strata schemes…
Question: Is a special resolution required for the removal of a large hedge at the front of our five lot strata building? Our block of 5 units has a very large hedge at the front of the property. The hedge provides privacy from the street for two of the apartments. The hedge also provides…
The Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Information) Regulation, 2021 (NSW) commences on 30th June 2022. Owners Corporations will have to provide information annually to Fair Trading in the approved form: for the first time— if the first annual general meeting of the owners corporation is held on or before 30 June 2022—by 30 September 2022, or…
Question: A lot owner has carried out works on his balcony and installed air conditioning without approval. What steps should the OC take to protect themselves? An owner has tiled his balcony and installed air conditioning with a visible compressor sitting on the balcony. The owner has not obtained permission and we do not…
Question: Who is responsible for a broken window in a strata unit? Who is responsible for a broken window in a strata unit? Who should be invoiced – the tenant (occupying at the time the glass broke), the owners, or the Owners Corporation? I have read the Fair Trading Common Property Memorandum but under 9 Windows…
Question: I’m renting a unit in Brighton-Le-Sands, southern Sydney and I have a double garage. Can I use the garage for DIY projects rather than for parking of vehicles? Answer: Seek strata permission through your strata manager or your strata committee. It is advisable to seek strata permission through your strata manager (if you…
Question: Our Strata Manager keeps coming into my garage to have a look around etc. Am I entitled to ask them politely to ensure all correspondence between us is through email, text or phone call? Answer: It is unclear why your strata manager keeps trespassing. Yes, absolutely, you should ask them to refrain from…
Question: My wife and I are co-owners. Do we really have to submit proxy forms for the other when only one of us attends a meeting? My wife and I are co-owners. My reading of the act is that if one of us is not at the meeting then the other speaks and votes…
Premium Strata are proud members of SCA (NSW), the peak body for the strata sector in NSW representing 2,000 strata managers. The NSW Government under the Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation, Kevin Andrews, has approved a Professional Standards Scheme. This formal recognition by the NSW Government is first of its kind for the property…
Question: Our strata manager allowed a Pest Company to attend my lot without notifying me or receiving permission. Can I report the Strata Management Company for organising unauthorised access to my lot? Our strata manager allowed a Pest Company to attend my lot without notifying me. The first I knew was when I found…
Question: In NSW strata, how many committee members are needed to agree for the approval of building repairs or works? What is the NSW strata law regarding how many committee members can approve building repairs or works? In our building of eight lots, we have always stood by four committee member approvals as a…
Question: Our sinking fund has run out of money and we need a lot of repairs and maintenance done to common property. the window paint has all peeled off and in some cases starting to rot, lintels are rusting, there is a very large common area window that needs to be replaced (totally rusted)…
Question: Our strata manager refuses to hold our AGM after office hours. Should this be an expected service or is he being inflexible? Our strata manager refuses to hold our AGM at 6.30 pm. He says his office closes at 6 pm and will not accommodate an owner who cannot attend until 6.30 pm…
Yapping Dogs I live in a very large Strata unit complex and there is an overload of dogs here – almost like a Canine Hotel – but all in all they are well mannered but there are those, that, at times bark and yap for an hour to 5 hours at a time. I find it to…