November Newsletter 2016
Welcome to our November newsletter!
Only a few more days to go! After a lengthy consultation period, on 30 November the new strata laws will come into effect.
As you know, at Premium Strata we have been working hard to train our staff, update our templates and refresh our procedures to ensure we are fully compliant from the start. We would like to thank our team and our partners for their tireless efforts.
Due to the significance of this event, we decided to re-publish our article covering the 7 key changes under this reform, as our headline article. It is important that you are aware of the changes.
Before we go, we wanted to let you know that our offices will close for the holidays from Tuesday 20 December, and reopen on Monday 9 January 2017.
In case of emergencies please refer to your Emergency Contact list in the lobby of your building. If you require the assistance of a strata manager, please call our office on 9281 6440. Our phones will be diverted to one of our licensed strata managers.
Leanne Habib, CEO
Inger Brettle, COO
What is new at Premium Strata?
7 key changes under the NSW strata reforms launching 30 November
This important article explains the seven key areas of change in the NSW Strata Management Act. It covers the internet age, transparency of those involved with the strata scheme; financial management; changes to standard by-laws; tenant representatives; building defects, and renovations.
Strata Reform & Proxy Votes: How many can you hold?
Allison Benson, Kerin Benson Lawyers
Don’t get caught out! If you want to ensure your proxy votes are valid you should ensure you comply with the new proxy farming restrictions in the NSW strata reforms. Be aware there are new limits on proxies.
Strata Law Reform: New South Wales Legislation
Information provided by Leanne Habib, Premium Strata
Which Acts are changing and when? How can you easily access the new Acts?
See the NSW tab on this Strata Legislation page for details about the upcoming changes to NSW Legislation.
Q&A Removal of Dangerous Trees – Who is Responsible?
Leanne Habib, Premium Strata
Question: A tree is on private property but passes into my airspace and into common property airspace. If it presents a potential threat to the common property roof because it leans over it, who is responsible for removal of the dangerous tree?
Q&A Committee Secretary Duties – Are the Meetings Valid?
Leanne Habib, Premium Strata
Question: Our secretary does not issue a notice and agenda details of the meeting to owners on our notice board or by any other means. Are the meeting and decisions made valid?
Latest News
Strata Insurance Questions: Garages Used to Store Unknown Items
Ann Farrugia, Whitbread Insurance Brokers
Question: Two owners are allowing their garages to be used for storage and collection of unknown items for a friend’s business! How does this impact on our strata insurance and any hazards that may crop up?
Abandoned Goods and Illegally Parked Motor Vehicles on Common Property – NSW Strata Law Reforms
Savina Yang, Lawyers Chambers on Riley
Fear not strata dwellers: the owners corporation will soon have an avenue available to it to remove these vehicles, under the new legislation. A similar procedure applies to abandoned goods on common property, which is also explored in this article.
Q&A: Gym Equipment Maintenance – Better to Own or Hire?
Peter Berney, Solutions in Engineering
Question: Why does our BC hire and contract out our gym equipment maintenance? Surely it would be better to buy the equipment outright. I have been told it is because of WH&S and other safety concerns. Is this a consideration?
Q&A Lack of Privacy in Apartments Due to Walkway to Beach
Leanne Habib, Premium Strata
Question: Is lack of privacy in apartments a breach of our strata by-laws? We have people on our patio and walking past out windows on their way to the beach 24/7.
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