Australia: The Journey to Electrical Self-Sufficiency within Strata

We were looking to downsize prior to retirement and moved into the SE QLD strata in 2019. The building was 18 months old then. Given most of the residents were as old as or a decade or two older than us saw me elected to the Strata Committee within nine months of moving in, the […]

Germany: Federal Court Ruling Clarifies Cost Distribution Among Property Owners

The Federal Court has recently addressed a pressing issue concerning the distribution of costs within homeowner associations (HOAs). The court ruled on whether a majority within an HOA can impose financial burdens on a minority of owners. The answer is yes, but with specific conditions in place.   Read the article…………………………….

Australia: Association makes case for broker role as NSW strata reforms kick in

The National Insurance Brokers Association has welcomed the NSW government’s bid to build consumer confidence in the strata sector, including laws and penalties introduced this month.  Ministers are still considering a ban on strata commissions and have warned of fines of up to $110,000 for breaches of new transparency laws requiring detailed breakdowns of insurance […]

Australia: New strata laws introduce greater transparency and accountability in NSW

New laws requiring strata managers to disclose financial relationships and potential conflicts of interest to property owners have come into effect in NSW.  The reforms introduce stricter disclosure requirements, mandating that strata managers provide clear and timely information about their connections with suppliers and developers.   Read the article…………………………….

India: Condo in Ghaziabad gets a health dept notice over unsafe drinking water

Health department has issued a notice to the management team of, a residential society in Vasundhara’s Sector 18, after the quality of drinking water was found to be unsatisfactory on Tuesday. Water samples were collected from the society earlier this month following multiple complaints from residents.   Read the article…………………………….

Malaysia: Court of Appeal invalidates By-law authorising Management Corporation to recover Legal Expenses against Co-Proprietors of Strata Property

On 23 August 2023, we published a case note on Yong Kein Sin & Anor v Perbadanan Pengurusan Springtide Residences [2023] 5 AMR 449, wherein the High Court held, inter alia, that a by-law passed by the management corporation (“MC”) of a strata development authorising the MC to recover costs, fees and expenses incurred in […]

Australia: NSW issues penalty warning as strata laws begin

The NSW government has warned penalties of up to $110,000 will apply for breaches of strata transparency laws that took effect this month, as it continues to consider further action on commissions.  The laws, to be enforced by NSW Fair Trading, require detailed breakdowns of insurance quotes, including commissions and broker fees, and disclosure of […]

Australia: Transparency At Heart Of Strata Reforms

Greater accountability and transparency are at the heart of new strata laws now in effect which require strata managers in NSW to be upfront with owners about kickbacks and conflicts of interest.   Read the article…………………………….

Australia: STOP THE BODY CORPORATE – I WANT TO GET OFF!

There was a lot happening in 1965 – the invention of the internet, Kevlar and the cordless telephone, the escalation of the Vietnam War, a fly-by of Mars by NASA’s Mariner 4, the death of Winston Churchill, the birth of Robert Downey Jnr – but, as I am sure you will agree, those things all […]

Brazil: New rules for amending condominium building agreements

Ordinance No. 64/2024 of the Office of the Inspector-General of the Courts of the State of São Paulo (CGJ-SP), published in the first half of January 2025, amended the content of items No. 81 and No. 82 of Chapter XX, Volume II, of the Service Standards of the CGJ-SP (“Ordinance”).    Read the article…………………………….

Is Your Condo Management A “Hidden Dictatorship” In Singapore?

This week, I heard a story about a certain condo and dogs. I won’t name it, but it sounds a bit like “Win-Pew” and it’s a condo in the West. There’s an ongoing issue about where dogs should be allowed in that condo; and that’s a topic that isn’t as reasonable as you may think. […]

Australia: New 2025 NSW Strata Laws Bring Greater Transparency

In a continuation of the spotlight on strata management practices, the NSW Government is making changes to strata laws with the goal of better protection for owners and residents of strata properties in NSW. These will take effect on Monday 3 February 2025.  The changes to the Act, introduced to Parliament in November 2024, aims […]

Australia: Strata Get Ready for a Fire Safety Overhaul in Feb 2025!

On February 13, 2025, new regulations will significantly impact how Owners Corporations manage Annual Fire Safety Statements (AFSS). These changes, stemming from the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Amendment (Fire Safety) Regulation 2022, aim to bolster fire safety standards and increase accountability.     Read the article…………………………….

Ukraine: A solar power plant was installed on a panel house in Kyiv

A solar power plant was installed in a residential building at 93 Beresteyskyi Avenue and a number of energy-efficient measures were carried out with funds from the “Fund for Modernization and Development of the Housing Stock of the City of Kyiv”   Read the article…………………………….

Gated Communities and Urban Social Dynamics

Gated communities have become a prominent feature of urban landscapes, particularly in rapidly developing regions. These residential enclaves are often associated with social segregation, as they can create physical and social barriers between different groups of residents. Recent research has explored the dynamics of gated communities, examining their impact on social interactions, community trust, and […]

Netherlands: Disputes over sustainability measures rise in Dutch homeowners’ associations

Efforts to implement sustainability measures within Dutch homeowners’ associations (Verenigingen van Eigenaren, or VvE) are increasingly leading to conflicts, De Telegraaf reports. With more than 1.4 million homes in the Netherlands governed by VvEs, disagreements about costs and priorities have spurred a 21 percent rise in legal disputes over the past year, according to data […]

Australia: Strata consumer groups expect a defendable government report about Netstrata

The Owners Corporation Network (OCN), the Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby (ACIL), and the Unit Owners Association Queensland (UOAQ) are all deeply concerned to hear that Netstrata may have sought to influence the outcome of the NSW Government’s investigation into alleged malpractice by Netstrata.   Read the article…………………………….

Thailand: Condo association pushes for added state assistance

This year should be a challenging one for the residential property market, carrying over from a sluggish 2024 as insufficient domestic demand and a lack of structural support for foreign demand persist, says the Thai Condominium Association.  Read the article…………………………….Prasert Taedullayasatit, the association’s president, said while domestic demand exists, many potential buyers face difficulties securing […]

Philippines: Manila unveils rent-to-own public condominiums

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna inaugurated yesterday the city’s first rent-to-own public condominiums.  According to the local government, the housing project aims to provide affordable condominium units to low-income residents.    Read the article…………………………….

Australia: Building Management Agreements: 3 tips for negotiations

The new year (2025) seems to be bringing change for a number of my clients in relation to their building management agreements. Some are very happy with their current managers, some want to test the market and others are very much looking to change managers. This blog considers three key tips when looking to change […]

Thailand: Phuket Property: A Guide to Buying Condos

Phuket is today recognised as a leading destination in Asia for discerning property investors seeking a mix of lifestyle and investment opportunities. The island’s property market is particularly appealing to international buyers due to its diverse range of condominiums at varying price points, including sea-view, beachfront, and garden-view options.     Read the article…………………………….

South Africa: Consistency is key for Homeowners Associations

When purchasing property in an estate, owners may be required to form part of the Homeowner’s Association (HOA), whose key obligation is to apply and enforce the estate’s regulations and procedures.   Read the article…………………………….

Australia: Why Watching Strata Cases Matters

Over all of my time working in strata titles, I’ve found that strata stakeholders are extremely interested in the decisions being made by Courts and Tribunals in strata title disputes.  That’s not a problem for me since strata laws and strata disputes are the bread and butter of my work and I’ve been discussing and […]

South Africa: What to know about buying property in an estate

Buying a house in an estate differs in a number of ways from buying a freestanding house in a suburb. While you gain a lot in terms of security and lifestyle benefits, there are also added costs and rules that you need to adhere to.  Estate living is not just about security and lifestyle, but […]

UK: FirstPort property management company axed from Faversham Lakes as new-build estate residents revolt over rising fees

Fed-up residents have worked together to get rid of the property management company running their new-build estate in a revolt over rising fees.  FirstPort holds contracts for a number of housing developments across Kent – including the 400-home Faversham Lakes site.People living there were left stunned when the total service charge bill for the estate […]

Philippines: Makati condo residents’ privacy at risk? NPC raises red flags over BIR’s data requests

The National Privacy Commission (NPC) has voiced concerns over the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) verbal request to Oriental Place for sensitive information, including a list of residential units in the Makati condominium, names and contact details of unit owners leasing their properties, and notarized lease contracts.   Read the article…………………………….

Malaysia: Guards refuse to leave after new firm hired

The joint management committee of a luxury condominium block here has filed a police report against a security firm for continuing to station its guards on the premises despite the termination of the firm’s services.    Read the article…………………………….

Australia: Is it Time for Strata Insurance Commission Ostriches to Pull their Heads Out?

Strata title building insurance commissions have existed for many many decades. So, they’re not new, the issues that have resurfaced now have always been there, and they’ve been considered, debated, studied, and adjudicated repeatedly with almost nothing changing. So, whilst the dramatic reactions to the latest headlines are fine, it’s a bit like watching strata […]

Australia: Is Mascot Towers a Wake Up Call for Strata Owners?

The beleaguered owners of Mascot Towers have just been dealt another blow in their quest to end their strata pains.  Mascot Towers is a dual-tower high rise residential and commercial complex of 132 lots in Sydney that was evacuated just over four years ago due to subsidence and concerns about safety. Today, the towers remain […]

Philippines: Exclusive agreements with service providers

Q: I recently moved into a new condominium in Brgy. Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City, and I am planning to get a Wi-Fi connection because I need it for my job as a virtual assistant. When I asked the condominium administration about it, they informed me that they have an exclusive partnership with only one Internet […]

Ethiopia: Ombudsman forwards condominium case to Parliament

The Ethiopian institution of the Ombudsman has asked lawmakers to provide a final solution for public outcries over a controversial auction carried out by the Addis Ababa City Administration Housing Corporation last March.  The Ombudsman has forwarded a case involving allegations of a rigged auction under the government’s 20/80 public housing scheme to the parliamentary […]

Philippines: DWUP to educate HOAs on new housing policies

The Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) reminded the city’s homeowners associations (HOAs) to be aware of their rights.  This as DWUP plans to conduct a series of information dissemination drives around the city to remind HOAs regarding the new implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9904 or the Magna […]

Thailand: Safety of Condo Residents in Pattaya – A growing concern amid rapid development

Pattaya, known for its vibrant tourism industry and bustling nightlife, is also home to a significant number of condo residents. As the city’s popularity continues to rise, so does the demand for residential properties, particularly high-rise condominiums. While these condos offer modern amenities, ocean views, and a convenient lifestyle, the safety of residents is becoming […]

Australia: Another pass at reforming the Strata Schemes Legislation

On 20 November 2024, the Strata Schemes Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 was introduced to Parliament.  The Bill proposes to implement several recommendations from the statutory review report prepared by the Department of Customer Service in November 2021.    Read the article…………………………….

Austria: Full (Solar)Power Ahead In Condominium Ownership

As of September 1, 2024, the 2024 Condominium Act Amendment (Wohnungseigentumsgesetz-Novelle 2024, Wohnungseigentumsgesetz “WEG 2002”) has significantly reduced the legal barriers to installing so-called “balcony power plants” in condominiums.  In principle, any modification to a condominium unit requires the consent of all other condominium owners if the planned change could potentially impair the legitimate interests […]