NSW: Q&A Can You Run a Business from Your Apartment Garage?

  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…

Read More

NSW: Q&A Who sets the agenda, Explanatory notes

  Question: At a committee meeting, I proposed a motion concerning a topic under discussion for the committee to adopt. The topic had been included in the meeting agenda. The strata manager ruled the proposed motion ‘out of order’. Is this correct? A committee meeting was called by our strata manager with a written agenda…

Read More

NSW: Q&A Remediation of Serious Building Defect

  Question: A poorly constructed box gutter channels rainwater into our apartment. We’ve been requesting help from the owners corporation for years, but they keep pushing us aside. What do we do? We have a rooftop on our apartment that runs parallel with a poorly constructed box gutter. This box gutter has water runoff from other…

Read More

NSW: Q&A Strata Management Termination and Appointments

  Question: One of our EC members has called a general meeting to terminate our current strata manager and appoint a new one. He states there is a dispute about the length of the current agreement. Should the meeting proceed or be postponed until the disputed term has been settled? I am a member of…

Read More

NSW: Q&A Strata Unit Entitlements – How are they Calculated?

  Question: Some lot owners have requested a motion that the lot entitlements be updated. Can all costs incurred for the amending of the entitlements be payable by the owners requesting the amendments? We are holding a special meeting this week and some of the lot owners have requested a motion that the lot entitlements…

Read More

NSW: Q&A Exclusive Use of Common Property

  Question: The building manager has taken over common area, installed a lock and now uses this space as a storage room. Can they change the room description and use without consulting owners? I am in a lot owner in a NSW residential 3 floor unit block. We have a common area drying room on…

Read More

NSW: Q&A Noisy Neighbour, Renovations and Construction Noise

  Question: I’m a healthcare shift worker. My downstairs neighbours says I can’t shower after 9pm. What are my rights here? I am renting an apartment. The woman below me is quite noise sensitive and isn’t the type of person I want to upset. However, I am a healthcare worker and do shift work. My…

Read More

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

  Question: My strata manager is withholding some of my levy notices. How do I ensure these late notices are sent to me, as the strata manager is ignoring my emails? I think my strata manager is withholding some of my levy notices. They say I am unfinancial, therefore I could not vote at the…

Read More

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…

Read More

NSW: Q&A Owners Corporation Committee Decisions

Question: How do we force a decision in a 4 unit, self-managed complex? There are always 2 for and 2 against. Strata is a democracy and it comes back down to a vote. Generally a four lot scheme can create more work than a 400 lot scheme because of that one reason where you just…

Read More

NSW: Q&A Accessing Strata and Owners Corporation Information

  Question: Is there a code of conduct for owners corporations in NSW. I am especially interested in privacy regarding matters between the owners corporation and the owners. Answer: Strata Community Australia has a Code of Ethics, see link below: Strata Community Australia has a Code of Ethics: Code of Conduct – Strata Community Association The…

Read More