The Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby (ACIL) has published an in-depth report revealing the gaps in the strata insurance sector…..The report noted uncertainty among respondents about which regulatory body is responsible for overseeing the sector. This confusion underscores the pressing need for clearer governance and regulatory frameworks. Read the article…………………………….
Australia: Strata manager sacked after avoiding jail time over elaborate $58k rental scam
A man who avoided jail time after defrauding Australians out of $58,000 in an elaborate rental scam has been sacked from his job as a strata manager. Last month, news.com.au reported that Sydney-based Scott Jeffries pleaded guilty to 22 counts of fraud after pretending to run rental inspections at properties he did not own, and […]
Bahamas: Old Fort Bay developer secures win in legal battle with homeowners’ association, celebrates hard-fought victory
The developer, The Old Fort Bay Company Limited, represented by attorney Gail Lockhart Charles KC, noted in a statement that the Court of Appeal in its ruling had categorically rejected the Association’s attempt to claim ownership of the Old Fort Bay Club, Pineapple Grove, the beach reserve, and other areas of land within the Old […]
Australia: Insurances, Commissions and Kickbacks in our Strata & Community Title Schemes
The fact that in the 2015 strata reforms it was felt necessary to include a new provision requiring strata managing agents to disclose commissions and training and to prohibit the receipt of gifts over $60.00 (see sections 57(2) & 60 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (“SSMA”)) shows that this has been an ongoing […]
Mexico: Overheated electrical system sends PDC firemen to central condo building
Emergency services were deployed in central Playa del Carmen Sunday after a transformer exploded. Firemen and Civil Protection responded to numerous calls regarding black smoke coming from a condo building. It was around 2:00 p.m. when heavy smoke was seen rising from the outside of a condo building at the intersection of First and CTM […]
Australia: Fire Safety Advice as Lithium Battery Fires Spike in Units
The message from Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) regarding the rise of lithium-ion battery-related fires across NSW is ‘be alert, cautious and proactive’. It’s important that strata managers, strata committees and strata residents understand the fire risks related with lithium-ion batteries and to be prepared if things go wrong. Read the article…………………………….
Australia: Strata reforms send bills soaring from just $5000 to $60,000
Warren* was staggered to learn last year he had to contribute $80,000 for waterproofing and concrete spalling repairs to his apartment building in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. It was an enormous shock, particularly because owners had to pay within six weeks for the work that included fixing the degrading concrete. Read the article…………………………….
New build owners told to sign NDAs to see details of soaring estate charges (UK)
New build homeowners are being told they must sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) if they want to see details of their rising estate charges, i can reveal. Residents across the country who wish to inspect what their money is being spent on are being told they can’t without signing the contracts, which make it difficult for […]
Australia: Toe the Line Before You Tow
There’s always a lot of hype in the build-up to legislative change, even when the changes proposed have been in the pipework for more than a decade and some of them, like pets and smoking, aren’t changing at all – they are just restating what adjudicators have been telling us for years. Legislative change in […]
Philippines: Homeowner-lessor’s right to use the association’s facilities
Dear PAO, I am a homeowner in an exclusive subdivision. I have been paying the annual dues regularly until 2021, when I eventually decided to lease it out to my friend. The lease period is five years, and annexed to our contract is a document in which I expressly authorize the lessee to be a […]
India: No guards, defunct lifts and STP: Condo residents hit streets
Gurgaon: Residents of Ramprastha Edge in Sector 37D took to the streets on Saturday to protest against poor maintenance services, inadequate security, defunct lifts, and a poorly maintained sewage treatment plants in the society. Read the article…………………………….
10 Global Properties Redefining Condo Living
Condos have always symbolized the epitome of urban luxury. From the sustainable marvels of the Bosco Verticale to opulent retreats like the Meyer Blue Showflat, these architectural icons are reshaping skylines worldwide. Join us as we explore the top 10 condos leading the charge in redefining urban living. Read the article…………………………….
Italy: The Social Condominium of San Nicola a Nilo: A Co-Housing Experiment in Naples
Protecting residence in the historical center and promoting collaborative living among fragile family units and the elderly. These are the goals of the project “Social Condominium of San Nicola a Nilo”, the first experiment carried out by the Manfredi administration aimed at developing a new housing model where cooperation and mutual solidarity are the leitmotifs. […]
Australia: Strata practices report unleashes torrent of criticism
Allegations that a major NSW strata management firm has been charging excessive fees for insurance services without full disclosure of the arrangements have touched a nerve and triggered a torrent of criticism directed at practices within the sector. Read the article…………………………….
Australia: Strata lawyers back Trowbridge-recommended reforms
The Australian College of Strata Lawyers says it supports the introduction of reforms recommended by consultant John Trowbridge in his review of practices in the sector. The college, in response to ABC reporting on apartment owners paying excessive insurance fees through arrangements with Netstrata and associated entities, says it supports Mr Trowbridge’s reform proposals, including […]
Australia: High-profile strata company Netstrata caught charging excessive fees and taking kickbacks
One of the country’s most high-profile strata management firms has been using its wholly owned insurance arm to charge apartment owners insurance brokerage fees as high as three times the typical rate. The company, Netstrata, has also been taking kickbacks from contractors and suppliers it hires using the strata funds of more than 1,000 buildings, […]
Australia: ‘Money and energy to be saved’: how to get Australia’s bodies corporate to go green
A good first step, according to Megan Chatterton, chief resilience officer for the Owners Corporation Network, is to get an energy efficiency assessment done on your building. This is something the body corporate will have to pay for – although there are grants in some states to offset the costs, and you may end up […]
Nigeria: Court dismisses developer’s suit against homeowners
Lagos State High Court has dismissed a suit filed by CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Company against Pearl Gardens Estate, homeowners in Sangotedo Village, Eti-Osa Local Government. The plaintiff sought the exclusive right to take over management of the estate. Read the article…………………………….
Singapore: 7 Hidden “Small” Condo Issues That May Become Bigger Problems Later
We tend to focus on bigger issues when picking a condo, such as proximity to MRT stations, developer track records, pricing, etc. And that’s definitely a good practice, but there are some smaller factors that seem trivial at first, but could grow to be a huge annoyance later (some may eventually even be surprising dealbreakers). […]
Thailand: Mass evacuation after fire erupts at high-rise Pattaya condo
A fire broke out on the 11th floor of the EDGE Central Pattaya Condo, a 31-story condominium on Second Road, on March 16, leading to a frantic evacuation of residents from the high-rise building. The blaze originated in unit 158, with flames and smoke billowing out of the windows, prompting the swift evacuation of predominantly […]
Australia: What’s Your Strata Code Of Conduct?
In light of recent changes to NSW Strata legislation, it’s time to review your Strata Committee Code of Conduct. Conduct such as bullying, intimidation or other abusive behaviours are never ok. Unfortunately, strata living can create a situation where this behaviour emerges. The revised strata laws now make it easier to remove a strata committee […]
Australia: What’s Your Strata Code Of Conduct?
In light of recent changes to NSW Strata legislation, it’s time to review your Strata Committee Code of Conduct. Conduct such as bullying, intimidation or other abusive behaviours are never ok. Unfortunately, strata living can create a situation where this behaviour emerges. The revised strata laws now make it easier to remove a strata committee […]
Columbia: Who is responsible if a private asset suffers damage within the horizontal property?
The regulation indicates that the effects can be assumed by the co-owner or the administration, depending on the areas where the damage occurs. Living in condominiums poses greater challenges to maintaining harmony in the community. Although there are some facilities such as common spaces and security, there are also differences between neighbors or situations of […]
Australia: Lithium-ion batteries in strata buildings
Owners and occupiers of strata buildings are increasingly asking about what to do to prevent fires caused by exploding lithium-ion battery powered household products, including eBikes, eScooters and eTools. These products are injuring people on a weekly basis globally and there has been fatalities and multiple injuries in Australia. They are often cheaper, lower quality, […]
Australia: ACCC ‘continuing to engage’ on strata issues
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says it is examining lobby group information that highlights poor conduct by some strata managers in arranging insurance. The Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby (ACIL) has presented its concerns to the consumer commission and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, giving examples that it says should be reviewed and asking […]
Laos Details Procedures for Condominium Ownership and Operations
On February 1, 2024, Laos’ Decree on Condominiums No. 352/GOV took effect. This decree expands on the Law on Land (2019), which introduced the concept of condominiums into the Lao regulatory framework and opened the possibility for foreigners to own apartment units (redefined as “condominium units”—see below). The Law on Land revolutionized concepts of property […]
Mysterious Stains and Tenant Misconduct: Unraveling Condo Controversies in Thailand
A recent post on a popular Facebook page has ignited a fiery debate among netizens in Thailand. The post, featuring images of unexplained stains on a condo sofa, alongside a separate incident of severe tenant neglect, highlights the unpredictable nature of renting properties and the mysteries that can accompany it. Read the article…………………………….
South Africa: Mooikloof estate takes man to court to seize his stand after failing to build within a year
The Mooikloof Glen Estates Home Owners Association took a stand owner to the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria in an effort to seize his stand after he failed to build a house within a year of buying the piece of land. Read the article…………………………….
Australia: Landmark Ruling in NSW Court of Appeal Changes the Game for Builders and Developers
In a bustling courtroom filled with legal practitioners, developers, and contractors, the New South Wales Court of Appeal delivered a judgment that has sent ripples through the construction industry. At the heart of this legal battle was the question of whether a builder and developer, accused of constructing a defective building, could share the blame—and […]
Philippines: Disqualification of a director of a homeowner’s association
Dear PAO, I own a house and lot inside a subdivision in Pasig City, where I am a member of the Board of Directors of its registered homeowner’s association (HOA). Last month, I bought another residential property in the neighboring subdivision where my current house is. I would like to know if, as a member […]
Gatekeepers of Property: Unveiling Unethical HOA Fees in South African Estates
In the serene, gated communities of South Africa, where security and exclusivity offer a promise of tranquility, a storm brews beneath the surface. At the heart of this tempest are the Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs), embroiled in controversial practices that may not only be unethical but potentially illegal. It’s a narrative that delves deep into the […]
Philippines: Homeowners ‘refused’ access to subdivision facilities
HOMEOWNERS of Sunberry Homes in Sudtonggan, Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City continue to complain about exorbitant water rates a year after raising the matter before the government. Now, they have a new axe to grind: they are accusing the developer of preventing them from using the subdivision’s facilities. Read the article…………………………….
Malaysia: Navigating the complexities of strata ownership
It is increasingly commonplace these days to find strata commercial properties that are mixed-use developments and integrated with multiple components such as offices, retail, serviced apartments, SoHos/SoFos, hotels, medical centres and even industrial warehouses and shoplots. Read the article…………………………….
Portugal: Condominiums call for access to bank loans
Today, for a condominium to be able to request bank financing it needs to obtain the green light unanimously at the Condominium Assembly, which becomes very difficult, especially in buildings with several floors and dozens of residents. This is why the majority of management companies, which participated in a study by UCI Portugal, argue that […]
Australia: Don’t get caught out! Changes to strata title legislation
The NSW Government reviewed the Strata Schemes Development Act 2015 (‘SSDA’) and the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (‘SSMA’) with some 139 reforms recommended. As stated by the Hon. Mark Buttigieg in the second reading speech, the aim of the Strata Legislation Amendment Act 2023 is ‘to improve the governance, accountability and effectiveness of strata […]
Malta: Navigating Change: Examining Proposed Amendments to the Condominium Act
The Government recently released a White Paper entitled “Reforming the Condominium Act” which invited comments on proposed changes to be made to such Act. This is a positive development as it is an area of law which needs reform considering that property complexes have developed to a larger scale in Malta in recent years. Read […]
Singapore: ‘MCST vs Resident’ crazy cases: Riviera 38 sets an example with MCST responsible practices
Navigating Singapore’s real estate market goes beyond finding the perfect property. Amid the many crazy ‘MCST vs Resident’ cases this year, Riviera 38 sets an example with MCST responsible practices in Singapore. Read the article……………………………..
Singapore: ‘This is not a high-end development’: More condo residents hit by surge in maintenance fees
Disputes over maintenance fees have cropped up at two more condominiums, with residents being charged as much as 65 per cent more than what was initially marketed. Read the article…………………………………
Australia: ‘Unbelievably cruel’: Mascot Towers residents continue to pay fees for units they can’t live in
For hundreds of unit owners from Sydney’s doomed Mascot Towers, this year marks their fourth Christmas paying fees for homes too unsafe to live in. In June 2019 residents of the towers were ordered to evacuate due to cracking in the walls. Read the article………………………….
Philippines: Lazy volunteers must be kicked out
IF a volunteer-dentist offers to serve the needs of an impoverished community on a certain day and time and comes in two hours late, would you fault him for that? Some people say no. The dentist is offering his free time and services, so better ignore that minor lapse. In a homeowners’ association, if a […]
Australia: How stratas are derailing unit owners’ bid to lower bills
Unmotivated owners and strata policies are preventing more apartment blocks from moving to renewable energy. ReNewCo founder and CEO Matthew Summerville has recently installed solar to a block of units in Clovelly and said that unit owners have more options than they realise. Read the article…………………………….
Great Britain: ‘Numb with outrage’: Residents associations ‘debanked’ by Barclays
Residents associations have had their Barclays accounts closed or restricted with little warning in recent months, This is Money can reveal. Read the article…………………………….
Australia: Five ways strata owners can stem the tide of rising insurance
Climate change is driving insurance premiums higher – in strata properties premiums are set to rise nationally by 15-20 per cent from the start of FY24, according to Honan Insurance Group, driven by “claims costs inflation, rising building valuations, and insurers raising rates after periods of losses”. Read the article……………………………….
Australia: Repairs v Improvements to the Common Property: When is a repair a repair?
This is a tricky question and it will always depend on the facts of your owners corporation’s situation. In Marks v Owners SP 30190 [2023] NSWCATAP 21 the Appeal Panel made a number of findings about the requirement of an owners corporation to repair, maintain, renew and replace the common property when resolving a dispute […]
Australia: Strata association produces insurance disclosure guide
Strata Community Association (SCA) has produced a best practice guide that aims to improve disclosure in areas such as commissions, conflicts of interest and the allocation of remuneration. The release of the guide comes after recommendations made by consultant John Trowbridge in the first phase of an independent review of strata insurance practices and draws […]
Australia: Serious defects found in more than 50% of NSW strata buildings
More than half of NSW strata buildings have serious defects, with an estimated $79 million being spent by owners’ corporations to rectify the issues, a survey has found. The joint initiative between Strata Community Association (SCA) NSW and the Office of the Building Commissioner found 53% of buildings had serious defects between 2016-2022, up from […]
South Africa: Community Harmony: Your Guide to Ideal Living Spaces
It doesn’t matter if you’re a potential tenant, first-time home owner, investor owner, new family, empty nester or retired, if you’re looking for a community of like-minded individuals, with a mutual interest in protecting your investment with priorities of security, aesthetics, financial stability and maintaining value, then community scheme living is for you. Read the […]
Australia: Resolving Ripples: The Art of Diplomacy in Strata Disputes
In the tapestry of communal living, disagreements are like ripples on the surface of a tranquil pond. Strata living, with its shared spaces and interconnected lifestyles, often witnesses the emergence of disputes, creating waves that can either disrupt harmony or be skillfully navigated to maintain equilibrium. Welcome to the realm of “Resolving Ripples,” where the […]
Australia: Dispute resolution in strata communities: strategies for keeping the peace
We all need somewhere to live – housing is a fundamental human right. Rent, own or share housing – all are valid and reasonable ways to live. For those looking to buy on a budget, a strata community such as an apartment block, unit or townhouse development can be a great way to break into […]
Australia: Is Mascot Towers a Wake Up Call for Strata Owners?
In today’s guest-writer article by well-known strata commentator and consultant, Michael Teys, he discusses the latest setback for the ill-fated Mascot Towers building after a NSW Supreme Court decision, explains his alternate view of their situation, and reminds us of his strata ownership mantras. It’s a bit of tough strata love. Read the article…………………………