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 Building Appearance: Changing the appearance of the lot

  Question: Our Strata manager demands we remove vines from our lot because they are changing the appearance of our complex. We have planted vines around our lot which have grown but are not covering any other lot. Our Strata managers insist we are changing the appearance of our complex and are demanding their removal….

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NSW: Q&A Foyer Christmas Decorations Purchased by Strata Funds

  Question: We have discussed putting up some foyer Christmas decorations. Some residents have voiced their concerns about strata funds paying for the cost of acquiring the seasonal decorations. Our strata has an uninteresting entry foyer that would benefit from some visual enhancement. Hanging some artwork on the blank walls would make both residents and…

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

Question: Do the strata committee get a copy of the AGM agenda first, or do all owners get the agenda at the same time? If the committee get it first, does it put others at a disadvantage? Answer: There is no formal requirement that the AGM agenda must be given to the strata committee first….

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NSW: Q&A Owners Corporation Committee Decisions

  Question: During closed-door meetings, the committee vote on each agenda item frequently without costings or reasons for decisions. As an owner, what can I do? The chair of the Strata committee enforces the ‘owners cannot interrupt’ rule. All decisions are made behind closed doors before the formal Strata Committee meeting. These closed-door meetings result…

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NSW: Q&A Positions on the Strata Committee

  Question: Our secretary takes full control at meetings, will not let anyone make any comments or ask any questions. We all feel very bullied by this person. What can we do? At our monthly Owners Corporation meetings, although the whole committee including the chairperson attended, the meeting was run by our overbearing secretary. We…

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

Question: How can I stop the never-ending nightmare of raising special strata levies? We purchased a unit in April 2018 with special levies meant to finish in June 2020. The strata have continued to raise special levies and the quote agreed on in 2016 (apparently) has more than doubled. I want this money back. I…

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NSW: Q&A Can You Use Your Garage for Apartment Storage?

  Question: I’m renting a unit in Brighton-Le-Sands, southern Sydney and I have a double garage. Can I use the garage for DIY projects rather than for parking of vehicles? Answer: Seek strata permission through your strata manager or your strata committee. It is advisable to seek strata permission through your strata manager (if you…

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NSW: Q&A The Right to Access Your Strata Lot

  Question: Our Strata Manager keeps coming into my garage to have a look around etc. Am I entitled to ask them politely to ensure all correspondence between us is through email, text or phone call? Answer: It is unclear why your strata manager keeps trespassing. Yes, absolutely, you should ask them to refrain from…

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Latest Strata Developments for New South Wales

  The Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Sustainability Infrastructure) Act, 2021 No 1 (NSW) (the “Amendment Act”) has introduced important amendments to the Strata Schemes Management Act, 2015 (NSW)(the “Act”). Keeping of animals You may have seen the media coverage of the landmark NSW Court of Appeal decision in Cooper v The Owners – Strata Plan No. 58068 [2020] NSWCA 250 (“Cooper”) which…

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NSW: Q&A The Right to Access Your Strata Lot

Question: As a new owner can my building manager charge me $140 per access card x 4 to access my lot? As a new owner can my building manager charge me $140 per access card x 4 to access my lot? The two access cards provided by the previous owner have been deactivated. My family…

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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…

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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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