On Wednesday June 8 Leanne Habib founder of Premium Strata joined Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata to talk about the NSW rollback of amendments and answered owners NSW Strata questions. During the session, Leanne addressing the rollback of COVID-19 strata amendments in NSW which, among other things, relaxed the manner in which to vote at meetings (eg electronic voting is no longer automatically permissible)…
Question: Can other lot owners walk through my car parking space? Answer: No. Technically this is trespass because you own the cubic air-space of the lot through which they are traversing. It may potentially be a nuisance too For the full question and our detailed response, visit the original publication at Look Up Strata. Do you have…
Question: My garage is in immediate need of repair to the point of causing damage to my car. I have requested maintenance but nothing is done. What can I do? My basement garage in my strata building has no glass in its windows, just some plasterboard covering where glass should be, and the window…
Question: Our Strata Manager has been putting off our AGM since December. How can they be made to hold an AGM asap? We have issues that need to be addressed. Answer: An AGM must be held once in each financial year of the owners corporation. As set out in the extracts of the legislation…
Question: Whenever I submit a motion to be placed on the AGM agenda, it gets rewritten and changed. Why does this happen and is this action legal? Every time I ask for a motion to be placed on the agenda for the AGM, either the Strata Manager or the Strata Committee completely rewrite my…
Question: We had no knowledge an EGM was held to appoint a new strata management agent. Is this legal? Isn’t 7 day’s notice required for an EGM? Recently we found out that an EGM was held to appoint a new strata management agent. We had no knowledge of the EGM or the proposal for…
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…
In February we featured that the NSW Government had bought in changes to laws which govern Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA). These changes to the STRA have now been delayed until November 1st, 2021. We are still hopeful that the NSW Government will implement a Short-Term Rental Accommodation Register by mid-2021. This register will require…
Question: When recovering late levy payments, can the Owners Corporation recover the costs of using a lawyer/debt collector from the recalcitrant owner? Every time I ask for a motion to be placed on the agenda for the AGM, either the Strata Manager or the Strata Committee completely rewrite my motion. There is illegal parking occurring in…
Question: I can’t seem to find any information on how to set up the trust account at the bank. What should we be aware of? I am a lot owner (block of 3) and we are looking at managing the strata ourselves. I can’t seem to find any information on how to set up…
Question: One lot owner is refusing to pay levies. What is the correct/recommended procedure to pursue debt recovery and in what order should those steps be taken? I am the “Honorary Administrator” of a self-managing strata scheme of four townhouses. We may need to take levy recovery action against one owner who is refusing…
Question: I want to install solar panels. Before I can install solar panels, I need to upgrade my fuse box. Isn’t it the responsibility of the owners corporation to pay for a fuse box upgrade? I am in a strata complex of 20 units and would like to install solar panels. Before I can…
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: One lot owner is refusing to pay levies. What is the correct/recommended procedure to pursue debt recovery and in what order should those steps be taken? I am the “Honorary Administrator” of a self-managing strata scheme of four townhouses. We may need to take levy recovery action against one owner who is refusing…
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: Do we need permission to tile over the top of tiles in our townhouse bathroom and laundry? We will not be disturbing the waterproofing or original tiles? Answer: Tiles are hard surface flooring and therefore considered a “minor renovation” under the legislation. If the strata committee has been delegated the power to approve…
Question: How many owners in a complex of 12 units are required to vote against a motion at an extraordinary general meeting. Answer: It depends whether you are asking about an unanimous, special or ordinary resolution. It depends whether you are asking about an unanimous, special or ordinary resolution. No one can vote against…
Question: We did not receive a levy invoice or a notice of arrears. The next period notice invoice for levies, strata is charging interest and there is a notice of arrears fee. Do we have to pay the arrears notice fee and interest if we never received the invoice? Answer: It depends whether you…
Question: Our neighbour drilled into our balcony to install an awning shade. What do we do now? Who is responsible if there is future damage due to the installation? Our downstairs neighbour got approval to set up an awning for her backyard. In her request she stated that drilling was ‘probably not required’, however,…
Question: A lot owner in our 5 lot NSW strata building is using the garage to store carpets for their business. What impact would this have on fire safety and strata insurance? Answer: You should contact your local council and make further enquiries there, as they have powers to stop the business being carried…