According to the court registry, condominiums filed 3,630 lawsuits and court orders against debtor co-owners in 2024. This is 2.7 times more than at the beginning of the full-scale war, with the largest number of cases recorded in Dnipropetrovska oblast. Read the article…………………………….
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 […]
Ukraine: Odesa Sees Surge in Condominium Lawsuits Over Utility Debts
In Odesa region, the number of lawsuits against condominium debtors is growing. As of the end of 2024, 547 cases of non-payment of utility bills were filed with the court, which is 15% of the total number in Ukraine. Read the article…………………………….
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…………………………….
Malaysia: CNY Fireworks Display Ends In Destruction At KL Condo
While the incident caused no injuries, viral videos captured the alarming sight of fireworks shooting from the burning balcony amid thick black smoke, endangering neighbouring units. 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…………………………….
Australia: The cost of this life-saving measure is ‘negligible’ when shared by strata owners
With deaths by cardiac arrest on the rise, St John Ambulance ACT and Strata Community Association (SCA) have joined forces to promote the installation of life-saving devices to those living in strata title buildings. 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 […]
Australia: Strata firm Netstrata fighting to overturn draft report findings into claims of excessive fees
Strata firm Netstrata is trying to overturn draft findings of an independent review into its business practices. The company has been under investigation for charging clients excessive fees. A summary of the final report is expected to be published in the coming weeks. Read the article…………………………….
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…………………………….
Australia: Home and strata insurance premiums rising in the NT despite cyclone reinsurance pool
Some Darwin home owners are experiencing significant increases to their insurance premiums, despite not making claims. Australian Competition Consumer Commission data shows both home and strata insurance in north Australia is “much more expensive” compared to the rest of the country. Read the article…………………………….
Ukraine: Residents of condominiums in Dnipro will save about half a million hryvnias (currency)thanks to SPP
They also significantly increased the degree of energy independence of their own house In Dnipro, members of the Geneva Dnipro condominium association took part in the state Grindim program and used grant funds to install a solar power plant (SPP) with related equipment on the roof of their building. 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 […]
Singapore: Is The Condo Dream Getting Increasingly Harder To Achieve For Singaporeans?
Growing up, owning a condominium was often considered an aspirational goal for many in Singapore. Among the five traditional Cs in Singapore, a condo was always the most expensive and, arguably, the hardest to attain. Given the limited size of our country, the growing population, and the progression of our economy, it’s no surprise that […]
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 […]
Singapore: Concierge allegedly made off with over $47k of residents’ money, stole items worth more than $2m
A senior concierge, accused of misappropriating nearly $47,700 in cash earlier collected from a condominium’s residents, is also said to have stolen valuables worth over $2 million from a unit at the same property. Read the article…………………………….
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 […]
Australia: Sorting Out Strata Management with 3 Simple Contract Changes
There’s been an ongoing debate about how to improve the quality and value of strata management services to strata buildings, committees and owners so they’ll differentiate between them and pay what the service is actually worth. Read the article…………………………….
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 […]
Singapore: Condo management seeks entry to top-floor unit after owners refuse roof access for painting works
The facade of a stack of condominium units in Bukit Batok has not been repainted for 16 years. This is because the couple who own the topmost unit have refused to let contractors access the roof through their home. Read the article…………………………….
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 […]
Australia: Residential Focus: 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…………………………….
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 […]
Malaysia: Singaporeans in legal dispute over Johor condo purchases email whatsapp twitter
Homebuyers from Singapore are claiming that a Malaysian developer did not properly inform them about the terms and conditions of their deals. The buyers were shocked to discover that they had purchased the homes under a Private Lease Scheme (PLS). Read the article…………………………….
Ukraine: Residents of condominiums in Lutsk cut their heating bills in half: how they did it
They took part in the “Energodim” program under package B “Complex” Members of the Lutsk condominium association “Renaissance 7” have successfully carried out a large-scale energy modernization of their 5-storey building, which reduced energy consumption by more than 50%. Read the article…………………………….
Malaysia: Fix the problem, don’t hide it: Property reviewer responds to condo backlash
A property reviewer has expressed concern over a condominium management’s attempt to silence his honest evaluations, alleging that they requested the removal of a video critical of their property. Read the article…………………………….
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 […]