Anyone who has dealt with strata regulations knows that, at times they can be a little unreasonable and annoying. As frustrating as many of them can be, they do aim to take into consideration the wellbeing and safety of all residents. Here are some of the most common regulations that people find annoying!  Band together […]

It’s a familiar scenario: someone gets on your strata committees and starts ruling the place on the highly dubious basis of whatever they want is what’s best for everyone.     Read the article……………

Most lot owners within strata schemes have a general awareness of the fact that statutory and contractual warranties apply to various aspects of the building, plant and equipment contained in their scheme. However, as the adage goes; the devil is in the detail.  Read the article…………….

What can you do about noisy kids in an apartment block? It’s not just that a family has moved in upstairs from a Flatchatter, who wrote for advice.  On top of constant door slams and running feet, their floor has previously had carpet removed and replaced with something that doesn’t come close to dampening the […]

The inspection and bond regimes apply to the construction of high rise buildings of three or more storeys and with two or more dwellings.  Of the strata schemes constructed in the last 10 years 85% are reported to suffer from at least one form of building defect. Owners corporations are often the losers when it […]

When is a determined owner an email pest? Or, to put it another way, how do you tell the difference between someone with a legitimate complaint, who won’t let it go, and a resident who writes long, abusive letters and emails and then sends even more when they are not answered immediately?    Read the […]

That old saying of “better the devil you know” rarely applies more than in your choice of strata managers.  But if, like one Flat Chat reader, your strata manager’s contract is coming up for renewal and it has a roll-over clause, you might want to at least address the issue before you are stuck with […]

In strata more than anywhere else, it seems, there are certain kinds of people who, if given a little authority, will immediately award themselves executive powers to which they are not entitled.    Read the article……..

There is an increasing number of people living in strata titled properties in NSW, and the strata law reform will definitely impact you if you are a strata owner or living or working in a strata or community scheme. This bill has been in the making for over five years and there are significant changes […]

This is a submission from Bannermans Lawyers addressing a number of issues raised in the discussion paper, based on our experience acting for community associations, lot owners, managing agents and contractors in relation to community scheme transactions and disputes.     Read the article……..

The NSW Government has released draft Strata Schemes Bills for public consultation. These represent the most extensive overhaul of the strata laws in NSW since the 1973 Strata Titles Act.  Strata apartment owner-occupiers and investors will find that the new laws will impact mainly on management of strata schemes, but will also deal with building […]

As you may be aware the draft Strata Schemes Development Bill 2015and Strata Schemes Management Bill 2015 have recently been released for public consultation.  This follows extensive consultation and consideration by key stakeholders and industry and strata experts which commenced in December 2011.     Read the article…………….

Quite frequently new owners in strata schemes are unaware of the requirement to obtain owners corporation approval pursuant to a by-law under section 65A and/or section 52 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 1996 (“SSMA”) before starting their renovation works which affect common property.     Read more……..

Home Owners and property developers’ duty to mitigate has recently been a focus of attention by both the Supreme Court and the NSW Legislature. This attention has confirmed its current status as a material consideration, the significance of which is likely to increase.    Read more………

NSW is planning some of the biggest changes to the regulations affecting the redevelopment of strata schemes in the last 50 years, which should see more strata redevelopment.   Read more……

The NSW government has flagged that it will amend the model bylaws for strata and community schemes so that the default option will be that people can keep pets. The government is to be commended for the work it has done on strata law, and its preparedness to amend draconian laws, but the proposed pet […]

On 12 April 2013 the Statutes Amendment (Community and Strata Titles) Act, 2012 (SA) was passed. The Act amends both the Community Titles Act, 1996 (SA) and the Strata Titles Act, 1988 (SA). It was partially commenced on 18 July 2013 with the remainder to commence on 28 October 2013.      Read more…….

MEMBERS of the community association that Scott Driscoll secretly controlled to the benefit of his wife’s company, are staging a revolt to try to remove board members associated with the embattled MP.   Read More……