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Hello <<First Name>>

Big news in the strata industry this fortnight seem to be the problems caused by the continued bad weather in coastal NSW and also concerns over the degree of substandard building products used in strata buildings across Australia. Allison Benson, Kerin Benson Lawyers has prepared a post about who can enter your lot if you have sustained damage or flooding in your property. See Allison's article: Drips, Drizzle or Deluge? Powers of an Owners Corporation to Enter Lot Property (Including Emergency Powers). And, just in case you missed it, Strata Community Australia broadcast a media release: Peak body calls for urgent building inspections, amid fire fears.

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NSW: Strata Window Safety Locks and Devices

Pierrette Khoury, Turnbull Bowles Lawyers
Changes were implemented to window safety strata as a result of fatalities in apartment buildings. Statistics have shown that each year approximately 50 children fall from windows or balconies in Australia.

QLD: Pets in Body Corporates

Kelly Borell, Tower Body Corporate Administration
What is a reasonable response to handling the issue of pets in body corporates?

NSW: New Poll Confirms Popularity of Apartment Living in Sydney

Bettina Deda, Downsize With Style author
More and more people are choosing to apartment living in Sydney for various reasons including: gaining more time for travelling and hobbies, saving money on furniture, appliances and energy costs, or downsizing to start a new chapter of their lives.

NSW/ACT: Drips, Drizzle or Deluge? Powers of an Owners Corporation to Enter Lot Property (Including Emergency Powers)

Allison Benson, Kerin Benson Lawyers
Owners corporation powers nsw: Even though you (or your tenant) may not be home or if access to your lot is refused, the Owners Corporation may be able to enter your lot anyway.

QLD: Body corporate spending limits

Frank Higginson, Hynes Legal
The rules relating to body corporate spending limits are scattered across the relevant Regulation Modules. This post sets them out in one place.

NSW: Annual Fire Safety Statements: What Are They Good For? Sometimes, Absolutely Nothing!

David Bannerman and Carlo Fini, Bannermans Lawyers
Our experience based on cases we have seen is that owners cannot rely on their annual fire safety statements if they want to make sure that their building fully complies with the Building Code of Australia and any applicable Australian Standard.

Welcome Rockend as our new home page Site Sponsor. Check out their great banner here.
We still have plenty of sponsorship opportunities available. Please contact me to become involved.

Media Release: SCA

Building Blaze in Melbourne Sends Warning to Owners Corporations About Cheap China Imports

Hundreds of apartment buildings in Australia’s $500 Billion strata industry could be at risk due to the possible use of unsafe products in Australian construction.

Strata Community Australia is urging owners corporations nationwide to immediately carry out building inspections as fears rise concerning the widespread use of unsafe, imported building materials.

Breaking News

Our latest Tweets & Facebook posts:

Crane Oversail: The Balance of Trespass and Development The projection of the boom or counterweight over the boundary line of an adjoining property gives rise to legal issues and practical problems for developers, builder and adjoining owners/residents.

NSW:
Sydney residents spend third night out of homes as sink holes threaten apartments

Small Sydney apartment rules to be clarified by new Planning Minister

QLD:
Short term rental schemes in focus

VIC:
Metropolitan Fire Brigade report on Lacrosse tower fire shows apartments were overcrowded and stored combustible material

The Watergate short-stay saga continued last month at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)

WA:
Strata Reforms Could Change the Face of Urban WA

NZ:
$10m leaky repairs row Owners must each pay $94,000 to $211,000 to repair the 75 apartments.

Queensland Waters Down ‘Off the Plan’ Protection Laws - See more at: http://sourceable.net/queensland-waters-down-off-the-plan-protection-laws/#sthash.Y9OIcQxd.dpufVIC:

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The most read article from our last newsletter?

NSW: Wild Weather & Damage – the Owners Corporation’s Duty to Maintain and Repair the Common Property

Allison Benson, Kerin Benson Lawyers
This is a quick refresher for owners corporation’s and lot owners on what their respective duties are when common property is damaged due to wild weather.

Strata Calendar

MAY 6
BCCM: Body Corporate Information Seminars (Maroochydore)

MAY 7:
SCA (QLD): Strata Starter (Sunshine Coast)

MAY 13:
SCA (WA): Levies, Recoveries and The Strata Company

BCCM: Body Corporate Information Seminars (Brisbane)

MAY 14:
SCA (QLD): Strata Starter (Gold Coast)

MAY 15:
SCA (WA): What You Need to Know About Strata

MAY 16:
NSW: Owners Corporation Network General Meeting - Insurance

MAY 19:
City of Sydney: Strata 101 - PETiquette: For pet owners in apartments

MAY 25:
NSW: Strata Management Practices Course

MAY 26:
REIWA: Selling Strata Titled Properties

MAY 27 - JUN 2:
SCA National Convention: Leading the Nation

JUN 2:
BCCM: Body Corporate Information Seminars (Gold Coast)

MAYMAYSustainable Residential Tower set to Commence after Two Week Sell-Out - See more at: http://sourceable.net/brisbanes-sustainable-residential-tower-set-commence-two-week-sell/#sthash.UTKuXh6q.dpu

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