|
|
|
|
 Strata News & Information
|
|
Hello <<First Name>>
Welcome to this edition of Your Strata News.
Editors picks not be missed this week:
Article: A while back, we received an email from a NSW Lot Owner asking for information about what window locks are being used to satisfy the NSW Window Lock legislation. We have received a whole host of information in from the LookUpStrata community and the responses have been pulled together to create one huge post. Thank you to everyone who responded and provided comments. Take a read of the article - The Guide to Window Locks Legislation NSW - and please provide any further information or questions you may have in comments section of the article.
News: The biggest story of the week has to be Insurer rejects storm-damaged Lidcombe apartment building claim because of numerous defects. Read the article and catch all the comments in our LinkedIn Group - links provided below in the Latest News section of the newsletter.
Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Lucky you! Did you know that only newsletter subscribers can participate in our frequent polls? Make sure we arrive in your inbox next edition by subscribing here. That way, you will never miss a newsletter and you can join in on our competitions and next poll question too!
Our community grows from word of mouth. If you enjoy our newsletters, please forward this email onto others who may be interested, or simply tell them about LookUpStrata. We thank you for your support!
Attn: Strata Managers, Building Managers,
Committee Members and Lot Owners
Are you interested in supply your lot owners with a tailored and branded monthly newsletter full of engaging content relevant to your location? Don't wait. Spots are being taken - limited areas available - nikkij@lookupstrata.com.au
Take advantage of our growing traffic stats & talk with me about contributing an Editorial Post to our blog, becoming a site sponsor or listing a Strata Job.
|
|
We are keen to talk with people who are interested in joining industry leaders 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
|
|
|
THE Strata Directory provides a dedicated database of businesses and services for strata managers and owners. Whether strata lawyers or financial advisors are required - plumbing, electrical or handyman work is needed Australia wide - you'll find what you're looking for here.
|
|
|
The Guide to Window Locks Legislation NSW
Compilation post
What types of window locking devices are being installed in strata buildings to comply with the new window locks legislation NSW?
|
|
|
VIC: Should Landlords Add a Special Condition into Residential Tenancy Agreements to Prohibit Tenants from ‘Licensing’ Apartments on Airbnb?
Nicole Wilde, Tisher Liner FC Law
As Airbnb’s popularity increases, so do the number of tenants in Melbourne listing their rented apartments on Airbnb for their own commercial gain. Landlords of those apartments are often unaware of their tenants’ Airbnb arrangements and upon becoming aware, may wish to take steps to terminate their tenants’ residential tenancy agreement. However, a recent Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal decision suggests that Landlords may not be able to use their termination rights under section 253 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997.
|
|
|
NSW: Q&A Upkeep the Repair of Common Property
Jan Browne, Ian McNamee & Partners
Question: Is it the responsibility of the Strata Manager to advise the Owners Corporation to upkeep and maintain the repair of common property?
|
|
|
Strata Finance: What is it?
Janette Comish, StrataLoans
The decision of which strata finance option your owners corporation uses will depend on the circumstances. You do have choices and should consider them all.
|
|
|
NSW: Q&A Are there template renovation bylaws available?
Leanne Habib, Premium Strata
Question: We have regular applications from owners proposing to renovate their apartments and were wondering if there are renovation bylaws available?
|
|
|
WA: Q&A Strata Tenants Rights - What is a Tenant Entitled to Know?
Sandra Glossop, Ace Body Corporate Management (Fremantle)
Question: What are my strata tenants rights? Am I entitled to information such as 'Who is the Strata Manager'? If not, why?
|
|
|
NSW: Do You Need a Swimming Pool Compliance Certificate?
Allison Benson, Kerin Benson Lawyers
Selling or leasing your lot? Do You Need a Swimming Pool Compliance Certificate? These Regulations come into effect on 29 April 2016 - find out now if they affect you.
|
|
|
WA: Q&A Reimbursing out of pocket expenses
Sandra Glossop, Ace Body Corporate Management (Fremantle)
Question: Can our secretary be reimbursed through our Strata Manager for small, out of pocket expenses accrued during routine maintenance e.g. ant spraying?
|
|
|
NSW: So What Happens if the Owners Corporation Does Not Fix the Building?
David Bannerman, Bannermans Lawyer
Many owners face problems with strata schemes failing to repair/maintain common property. Is the 2015 Strata Reform going to assist?
|
|
|
What Is Strata - Podcast
Amanda Farmer, Your Strata Property
How are strata plans created? What is the difference between lots and common property? What are by-laws, and what steps can you start taking today to become more active in your strata community?
|
|
|
NSW: Q&A Bylaws - terms & conditions upon which a dog may be kept
Leanne Habib, Premium Strata
Question: Can we arrange a by-law to be prepared granting permission for a dog, but with certain limitations should a nuisance arise?
|
|
|
VIC: Is it illegal to smoke cigarettes in an Owners Corporation?
Stephen Raff, Ace Body Corporate Management
The legal position on smoking in Owners Corporations varies between each state and territory in Australia and as such this article will focus on Victoria specifically.
|
|
|
|
Esther Han, SMH
Hundreds of residents left homeless after a storm ripped off the roof of their Lidcombe apartment block have suffered another blow, with their insurer rejecting their multi-million dollar claim. Insurance giant AIG has denied payouts to repair the building - developed by controversial Auburn councillor Ronney Oueik - because its expert found it did not comply with the Building Code of Australia.
We have a lively debate on this topic going on in our LinkedIn Group. View comments and contribute HERE.
|
|
|
|
Landgate
Currently in Western Australia strata schemes can only have one strata company and one set of rules or by-laws, to set out standards of behaviour and other management policies. Strata reforms will introduce community titles, which allow for multiple strata schemes on one land parcel or in one building, under an overarching (or umbrella) body corporate.
|
|
|
|
Ricardo Conclaves, SBS News
There may be talk of an impending oversupply when it comes to apartments, however it has not been reflected in most capital city rental prices.
In the year to March, Melbourne saw the biggest increase: up 4.1 per cent, with the median weekly rent at $380.
Sydney remains the country's most expensive capital, setting tenants back $520 a week on average. This is a rise of 4 per cent, and is despite a record number of new dwellings coming on to the market.
Nearly 90,000 apartments were approved to be built in Sydney since the beginning of 2013. That is 2,000 more than Melbourne, with more to come.
|
|
|
|
Brisbane Development
The Gold Coast Development Map below is a free development map of all known Gold Coast projects, created collaboratively by the people who use it. The map illustrates major proposals, approvals and projects under construction. Zoom in to reveal developments.
|
|
We are very excited to welcome StrataLoans as a new Premium site sponsor on our Homepage Banner.
You may have noticed, we also have a new fortnightly sponsor of our weekly newsletter.
Welcome Benjamin & Khoury!
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer Affairs Victoria
The focus of this issues paper is the Owners Corporations Act 2006, which provides for the management, powers and functions of owners corporations (formerly body corporates), and mechanisms to resolve disputes.
The Owners corporations issues paper looks at whether these Acts are achieving their purposes and, in doing so, whether they are also achieving their informal purpose of improving the ‘liveability’ of strata communities.
This issues paper is open for public consultation until 29 April 2016. Feedback on this issues paper will inform the development of an options paper on potential legislative changes, which will be released in mid-2016.
|
|
|
|
|
Most read article from our last newsletter
|
|
|
NSW: Can a Strata Meeting Be Recorded?
Adrian Mueller, J. S. Mueller & Co Lawyers
It is becoming increasingly common for strata meetings to be recorded. But is it legal to do so? The answer might surprise you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
