Strata News & Information
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 Hello <<First Name>>
Welcome to this edition of Strata News.
The BIG NEWS in strata this week was the NSW Parliament approval of the major reforms to the state’s strata title laws. For more information about this matter, please read our article below: Strata Title Reforms Pass NSW Parliament.
Don't Forget About Competition Time!
We have been receiving lots of entries into our competition over the past week. Thanks to Stephen Raff and the release of his new book, Strata Living Stories, we have three copies of the book to give away to our newsletter subscribers. See details of how to enter below. Get writing - you have until Friday to get your entries in!
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We are keen to talk with people who are interested in contributing quality strata articles to our blog.
Present your strata knowledge to the Strata Community.
Contact me for more information - nikkij@lookupstrata.com.au
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NSW: Q&A Building defect claims and the Home Building Act
Pierrette Khoury, Turnbull Bowles Lawyers
Concerning building defect claims and the Home Building Act, it would appear that there is much confusion over defects and warranties, and the correct action Owners Corporations should be considering.
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What can your strata community do to reduce crime?
Stephen Raff, Ace Body Corporate Management
Crime is a big problem in our society and unfortunately strata communities are not immune. There are ways you can help.
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Unit Fire and Safety Issues
Chris Kerin,
Kerin Benson Lawyers
Why is it that in 21st-century Australia, strata title fire safety issues are still making headlines and what can investors do to protect themselves from such issues?
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Does the tax cut for small business apply to strata schemes?
Kaylene Arkcoll, Leary & Partners
The Government has just reduced the tax rate for small businesses with a turnover of less than $2 million per year from 30% to 28.5%. A number of strata committee members have asked us whether they should be using this lower tax rate when we prepare their sinking fund forecast.
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NSW: Q&A Strata levy increases - how much and how often?
LookUpStrata &
Premium Strata
How much can strata levy increases be & what timeframe is reasonable? Are there limitations for time & cost or are they at the discretion of Strata Management?
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QLD: Backing out of an off-the-plan contract
Hynes Legal
What do you do when the property you were promised falls short of what is delivered? In what circumstances are you able to cancel off the plan contract?
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Why are Strata Managers so difficult to get along with?
Paula Byrnes,
Metropolitan Strata Inspections
Mention “Strata Manager” & people get riled up. Many owners don’t know duties of strata manager & there is confusion about how much of the levies they get paid.
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11 Brilliant Blog Posts for Empty Nesters Planning to Downsize Their Home
Bettina Deda,
Downsize With Style Author
Empty nesters have lots of decisions to make and things to consider. Here we share 11 blog posts worth reading when planning to downsize to an apartment.
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NSW: Collective Sales - Windfall When Neighbours Work Together
David Bannerman and
Mark Pollinger,
Bannermans Lawyers
For strata buildings, new legislation makes redevelopment of apartments possible even where some owners don’t want to sell.
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WA: Q&A How to handle a strata manager or council of owners who are not working in your interest
Sandy Papalia,
Realmark Corporate
If you a WA lot owner who is unhappy with your strata manager or believe that you have a corrupt council of owners, what can you do?
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Strata Title Reforms Pass NSW Parliament
Victor Dominello MP,
Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation - NSW Finance, Services & Innovation
The NSW Parliament has approved major reforms to the state’s strata title laws. Victor Dominello said the new laws would come into effect in July 2016.
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 We all know that strata living can sometimes be interesting. If you have an amusing story about life in strata, share it with the LookUpStrata community and enter this fun comp. Entries can be a few of lines or a complete story - its up to you! A collection of the best entries will appear (anonymously if requested) in a LookUpStrata blog post and the top 3 will win a copy of Strata Living Stories valued at $36.90, thanks to Stephen Raff and Ace Body Corporate Administration.
In the new book, Strata Living Stories, Stephen Raff has compiled a collection of unique stories that have been sent in by people involved in the strata sector and showcases some of the weirdest, wackiest and downright hilarious stories the industry has witnessed.
Send your entry here NOW. Competition closes 6 Nov 2015. Winners will be announced in the 11 Nov Newsletter! We look forward to receiving stories from both people living in and working in strata - so get writing.
Please note: contributions must be from a LookUpStrata Newsletter Subscriber.
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David Scutt, Business Insider Australia
In the year to September, Australia approved approximately 227,016 residential building approvals, easily disposing of the previous annual record of 223,715 struck only one month earlier.Fitting with the skylines of many Australian capital cities at present, particularly Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, nearly one third of those – some 31.8%, or 72,260 – were for apartments in complexes four storeys or higher.
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October 29, 2015: Apartment owners forced to sell under new property laws.
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Some senior residents in Sydney say they fear being forced out of their homes, if politicians pass a housing bill that is now before the New South Wales Parliament.
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Clay Lucas, The Age
How could this planning failure be resolved? Apartment developers the Brady Group have failed to construct two of three carpark levels planned for the Vision Apartments opposite Victoria Market. So, where could this issue go from here?
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