Annual Fire Safety

Annual fire safety inspections are a crucial component of fire safety in strata buildings. The purpose of these inspections is to identify potential fire hazards and ensure that fire safety systems, such as fire alarms and sprinkler systems, are functioning properly. These inspections typically include a visual inspection of the building’s fire safety systems and…

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Short – Term Accommodation in Strata

Question:  The holiday season is here, and many owners will be offering their apartments as airbnb term rentals. What are rules and regulations governing short term rentals in strata schemes? Please note that Owners Corporations can adopt by-laws that limit short-term rental accommodation in their strata scheme, by banning it in lots that are not the…

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Latent Defects Insurance

BUILDING REFORM GATHERS MOMENTUM-NEW INSURANCE FOR DEFECTS Building industry reform is now gathering momentum with the introduction of a new insurance product called Latent Defects insurance (LDI). Previously there was no insurance for structural defects with home buyers in the apartment sector. This insurance is not retrospective and applies to only new projects where the…

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CELEBRATING HALLOWEEN IN YOUR STRATA BUILDING

Halloween, how best to run in a strata building Halloween is a great time for kids and the community to get together and share some treats. Living in a strata building can be tricky as access can restrict the children from trick-or-treating door to door. Strata communities are coming together so the residents living in…

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Contractor Management

Contractor Management The strata industry relies heavily on contractors to help maintain the overall appearance of buildings, along with routine service and maintenance of mechanical assets and common areas. Fire compliance, lift servicing, HVAC and plumbing generally make up most of the on-going preventative maintenance required within a residential building. Also, if buildings are still…

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NSW: Q&A Special Levies, Levy Payments and Overdue Levies

  Question: A lot owner in our small block has consistently been in arrears with levies. Although they are on a payment plan the situation is not improving. Do we have other options to recover the overdue levies? We have one owner in our small strata block of six that has consistently been in arrears…

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NSW: Q&A Which ByLaws Apply to Our Strata Scheme?

Question:Can an existing Special ByLaw be amended without the legal cost of being re-written by a strata lawyer? Can an existing Special ByLaw be amended without the legal cost of being re-written by a strata lawyer. This bylaw outlines permission and the terms and conditions for owners to install ducted split air conditioning systems, roof…

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NSW: Q&A Special Levies, Levy Payments and Overdue Levies

Question: We receive a delayed strata levy. On the levy it shows 2 quarters plus interest, however, this was sent late from the strata. Are the owners still responsible for the interest? Answer: If the levy was issued late, they should not be charged any interest. They shouldn’t be responsible for the interest. If it…

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New South Wales Emergency Services Levy Increase

  As of October 1st the NSW Government will apply an increase to the New South Wales Emergency Services Levy (ESL). This will see the NSW Government increase the ESL contribution target for 2020-21. New South Wales has been hit with fires and floods in 2020 and the ESL contributes to funding for all emergency…

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NSW: Q&A Strata approval for renovations – What is the process and how do we start?

Question: I’m concerned about the correct process of strata approval for renovations in our scheme. Renovations involving waterproofing isn’t being considered a major work under the new legislation, and therefore not being considered by the Owners Corporation as a special resolution. I’m a member of a Strata Committee in an apartment complex which was registered…

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Ask Premium Strata: Insurance Cover

Q: Another strata management considers that: “all owners have the right to make claims on the buildings insurance”! “the insurance policy covers claims on all owners fixtures and improvements”. S/M quotes Sect 161 part 3 of the Strata Schemes Managements Act 2015 – Parts of building to be covered (a) owners’ improvements and owners’ fixtures forming…

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NSW: Q&A How long can member hold positions in executive committee?

  Question: How long can a strata committee member or chairperson hold positions in executive committee? Also, can the committee engage designers without lot owners agreeing to this appointment? Answer: No this is not permissible. Only one of them can seek nomination. As you may know, the number of members is determined annually at each…

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NSW: Q&A The Procedure for Appointing a New Strata Manager

  Question: We are lot owners in a small 8 lot commercial strata building. What is the procedure for appointing a new strata manager? What happens if this procedure is not followed? Answer: It is critical that the termination of the current manager be effected strictly in accordance with the strata management agency agreement which…

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NSW: Q&A Charging lot owners who use the visitor parking spaces

Question: Some residents in our building use the visitor parking spaces as an additional parking spot. Is it possible to increase levies for these few residents and not all lot owners? Answer: First you need to ascertain from the development consent for the building exactly how many visitor parking spaces are required by law. Before…

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NSW: Q&A Damage caused by tree roots from a neighbour

  Question: One of our lot owners has experienced damage caused by tree roots from a neighbour. Who is responsible for the cost of the remedial works to the adjoining property, the strata neighbour or the strata body? Answer: What is within the lot owner’s boundary is the responsibility of that individual owner. However, it…

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