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Strata News & Information

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Do you have a strata related position to fill? Advertise straight to the strata industry with our Job Directory. Check out this position - NSW: Strata Manager OR post your job now (includes a comprehensive promotional package).

Non-Smokers’ Movement of Australia Inc. is willing to assist and pay for the legal registration by ten Owners’ Corporations/ Strata Body Corporates of an effective smoke-free by-law, one which rules that the property is declared smoke-free. For more information, read the post - Why you and your Owners’ Corporation should go Smoke-free.

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Attn: Strata Managers, Building Managers,
Committee Members and Lot Owners

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THE Strata Directory provides a dedicated database of businesses and services for strata managers and owners. Looking for a strata lawyer, financial advisor, plumber and electrician or maybe maintenance work is required. Australia wide - you'll find what you're looking for here.

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Latest Articles

Why you and your Owners’ Corporation should go Smoke-free

Non-Smokers’ Movement of Australia Inc
Non-Smokers’ Movement of Australia Inc. is willing to assist and pay for the legal registration by ten Owners’ Corporations/ Strata Body Corporates of an effective smoke-free by-law, one which rules that the property is declared smoke-free.

QLD: EXCLUSIVE When Common Law and Common Sense Coincide

Peter Gore, Gore & Associates Lawyers
Motions put to general meetings should deal with one discrete issue. If two issues are combined into one motion, it may be difficult to demonstrate that the decision reached at the meeting is valid. Particularly will this be the case where the legislation requires a decision on a particular issue to be passed by either an ordinary or special resolution.

We encourage comments on this article.

NSW: Can You Legally Record A Strata Meeting? - PODCAST

Amanda Farmer, Your Strata Property with Hallie Warnock, Lawyers Chambers
Hallie Warnock discusses steps to take in order to record a meeting, including what you need to ensure the recording is legal. Hallie and Amanda also talk about the misconceptions around the recording of strata meetings.

Is Queensland falling behind New South Wales?

Hynes Legal
How long since you looked at your body corporate bylaws? Do you have a standard statement? If so, it means your by-laws have not been locked at for nearly 20 years. Now's the time!

NSW: Q&A NSW Strata Executive Committee Meetings

Leanne Habib, Premium Strata
Question: Our executive committee uses paper resolutions as opposed to conducting physical meetings. Is this legal?

NSW: New Limits Imposed on Proxy Votes

Madison Marcus Law Firm
The amendments are designed to ensure no single owner has a majority of the votes and places a limit on the number of proxies that may be held by an individual.

QLD: Terminating Management Rights Agreements – Trojan Resorts Case

Mario Esera, Piper Alderman
The simplest lesson from this case is that Bodies Corporate must act reasonably in anything they do, including terminating a management rights agreement.

NSW: New Window Safety Laws - Please Act Now!

Solutions in Window Safety
There are serious concerns apartment and unit owners in Tweed Heads are “dragging the chain” in complying with new window safety laws.

QLD: EXCLUSIVE - WHO KNEW? Some Insights into Strata Security. Master Keys… who has the keys to your unit?

Wayne Stevens, Unit Owners Association of Queensland (UOAQ)
Do you know much about your master key lock system? It is a common practice for nominated people at a complex to have master keys which allow them access to every unit in the complex.

NT: Q&A Our Caretaker is a Committee Member by Proxy...Is This OK?

Rob Harris, NT Property Management T/A Ace Body Corporate Management (Darwin NT)
Question: We have a contract with a caretaker who is paid a substantial amount of money. That same caretaker is a member of the Body Corporate committee by proxy of an owner. I have a concern this is potentially a conflict of interest.

Did you know......

There is just 84 days until the NSW reforms kick in!

Thank you David Leary, Leary & Partners for providing this quick snapshot of upcoming changes. Print out a PDF of these infographics in one compact form.

Job Directory

NSW: Strata Manager

Looking for an opportunity to be part of a growing business with exciting career prospects?

We need assistance to manage our growing portfolio of properties (Eden to Batemans Bay) and will customise a position to suit the right person. Whether you are: looking for full-time or part-time work; want to work from home or come into the office; we will customise a position to suit the right person.

Find Out More

News of the Week

Victorian tenants score legal win over owners corporations in pet disputes

Kirsten Robb, Domain
Victorian pet owners have scored a win after a tribunal found an owners corporation could not boot out a pet cavoodle from a rented townhouse, despite it having special rules that prohibited pets. VCAT member Linda Rowland found the owners corporation’s rules were invalid and of little effect.

Media

'Homeowners Warranties' - E8 Strata 101: From Buying off the Plan to Your First Strata Meeting

Michael Teys, Block Lawyers
In this segment Michael exposes the alarming gap between what people think a homeowners warranty should be and what they actually get.

Victoria: Have Your Say

Following comprehensive consultation and analysis, the Victorian Government has released Better Apartments Draft Design Standards and is seeking your feedback to inform final standards that will be introduced later this year. Community and stakeholder feedback is invited on the Better Apartments Draft Design Standards, closing 5pm, 19 September 2016.

Have Your Say

Featured Event THIS Friday!

Boost your productivity with a breakfast at Macquarie Bank

Women In Strata + Macquarie Bank
On Friday 9 September start the day with Ash Roy of Productive Insights as he shares his tips, tricks and actionable strategies to help you get the most out of every single day.

Find out More