February Newsletter 2018
Welcome to the February edition of our newsletter, the first one of the year!
We hope that you had a great break and feel refreshed for the year ahead. We certainly are! We are looking forward to another big year, with a few big milestones ahead of us. We will keep you informed through this newsletter.
We hope you will enjoy this month’s articles. As always, let us know if you have any questions.
Leanne Habib, CEO
Inger Brettle, COO
What is new at Premium Strata?
Final reminder: new window safety requirements due 13 March 2018
We have previously posted on the kids window and balcony safetynew 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 on all common property windows above the ground floor by 13 March 2018. The safety devices must be robust and childproof.”
The NSW Fair Trading Department has a lots of useful information, and we strongly recommend that you check whether your building is compliant. Have a look at their dedicated window safety page here.
In case of any questions, please check with your strata manager.
Q&A Distribution of General Meeting minutes
Leanne Habib, Premium Strata
Question: Our strata manager told me she doesn’t have to distribute the General Meeting minutes until two weeks before the next General Meeting.
Cleaning House: What can Owners Corporations do about Unwanted items on Common Property?
Bannermans Lawyers
Owners corporations and their strata managing agents have been struggling for years to find effective solutions to disposal of abandoned goods left on common property. While this is a difficult area, there are some options.
Q&A Can we adopt a generic renovation bylaw for the use of all lot owners?
Leanne Habib, Premium Strata
Question: Is it possible to have a generic renovation bylaw for major works set up by the Committee so that everyone can use it without having to go to the trouble and the cost of setting up their own?
Q&A Can we create a bylaw against flushing wipes down the toilet?
Leanne Habib, Premium Strata
Question: Can we create a bylaw prohibiting residents from flushing wipes down the toilet? Then, if a blockage occurs due to these products, can the resident be found liable?
Latest News
NSW: Pre 1974 Schemes and the Centre Line Rule
Bannermans Lawyers
For owners corporations with a strata plan registered prior to 1 July 1974, things work a bit differently than for other schemes. There are important differences regarding what is common property and what owners corporations and lot owners are responsible for.
NSW Owners Corporation Network: Strata living not always a bed of roses
Owners Corporation Network
Owners Corporation Network is hosting an informative and interactive 1-day event, Strata Matters! on Saturday 10 March 2018, 10am – 3pm in the Sydney CBD, designed to answer all the curly questions around strata living and investing.
Q&A Unit Entitlements and a Working Apartment Intercom System
Leanne Habib, Premium Strata
Question: Our unit in an old strata building has an apartment intercom system, which works only some of the time. Is the owners corporation obliged to provide us with a properly working intercom?
Strata Skills 101 Strata Levies: A planning essential for strata
City of Sydney
This workshop will provide residents with information on the purpose of levies in strata schemes and explore planning processes that will ensure your apartment is well maintained. Tue 13 March 2018, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
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