After their media investigation @LintonBesser and @NinahKopel from @ABCNews published an article High-profile strata company Netstrata caught charging excessive fees and taking kickbacks reporting on their business practices relating to insurance premiums, commissions, and brokerage, fire services, plumbing and building maintenance. Read the article…………………………….
Singapore: Flooding at condominium car park at Balmoral Crescent not caused by rainfall: PUB
Flooding at a condominium car park along Balmoral Crescent was not caused by rainfall but by a faulty valve at a sprinkler storage tank, national water agency PUB said on Saturday (May 4). “This is an isolated incident not caused by rainfall. At the time of the incident, rainfall over the area was not heavy […]
Dubai homeowner associations can use emergency funds to take on repair works from April 16 rains
Homeowner associations in Dubai have started to receive approvals from RERA to use their emergency/reserve funds to take on urgent repair works of common areas in communities and high-rises alike. This will come as much-needed relief for homeowners and residents at these properties as that would reduce the chances of any delays in initiating damage […]
Spain: Community president in Marbella bans Airbnbs’ without any warning or permission
Property firm Homewatch claims the Vicario Tercera Fase Homeowners Association, in Ojen, unilaterally outlawed Airbnb-style lets without any warning at a General Meeting on December 15 last year. The estate agency has now taken the matter to the courts and is demanding the ban be declared null and void, given it was allegedly made by […]
Australia Op/Ed: There’s more trouble coming for apartment owners. Here’s why
The Netstrata insurance scandal rocked the strata management industry in NSW but that’s just the beginning as an independent inquiry starts to dig deeper. Strata management in NSW is in turmoil after an ABC TV expose in March alleged that the strata managing giant Netstrata has been benefitting from significant hidden income via its insurance […]
Ukraine: In Odesa region, a condominium association received 40% savings due to thermal modernization of a building
“We started the energy modernization of the house back in 19. At that time, we had the highest tariff in the city. We searched for a long time for ways to save money and came across the wonderful “Energodim” program. Then there was a lot of preparatory work, because at that time there were no […]
Philippines: Lob thy neighbor: Homeowners’ war in Dasmariñas Village heats up with Loinaz- Arroyo group aiming to topple Fortun’s group
A leadership battle involving abogados, milyonaryos and veteran bankers is shaping up inside Dasmariñas Village, home to some bilyonaryos and celebrities. Two camps are fighting for control of the homeowners association inside one of the most exclusive enclaves in the country, where prices of properties range from P110 million to P1.3 billion. Read the article…………………………….
Australia: Isn’t it funny … how everyone is strata splaining managers?
Since the 2024 Strata Insurance Crisis broke 4 weeks ago strata managers are getting a lot of attention at the moment [good and bad] and that’s fine. But it seems to have prompted a lot of strata experts, pundits, activists, ambulance chasers, vested interests, opportunists and boffins out of the woodwork with their 20% to […]
Singapore: Bukit Timah condo ‘under attack’ by monkeys that enter homes and leave trail of destruction
Residents of Pine Grove condominium in Bukit Timah have been dealing with unwelcome visits by uninvited visitors. Stomper Sook Hui shared with Stomp that monkeys have been entering apartments and leaving a trail of destruction. “Pine Grove is under attack by monkeys again,” she said. Read the article…………………………….
Bahamas: DPM to monitor February Point, homeowners’ concerns
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, and Member of Parliament for Exuma Chester Cooper said he will monitor the progress of negotiations and conversations between the owners of February Point and its homeowners, who say they have no idea where the private development is headed since it was bought by a private […]
Malaysia: Strata residents raise issue of cohabitation with pets
K. DIANA resides in a condominium in Petaling Jaya, Selangor where she recently welcomed an abandoned toy poodle into her home. She claims that the well-behaved pooch poses no disturbance to her neighbours as it remains indoors. Three months after bringing the dog home, Diana received a notice from condominium management instructing her to remove […]
Australia: ‘Completely blindsided’: new owners of strata properties shocked by special levies
About three months after Jake* and his partner bought their apartment in Sydney, they faced an unexpected bill of more than $100,000. It was a special levy for major repairs needed to fix problems with the building’s waterproofing, but it was not flagged in the strata report or the previous year’s annual meeting minutes that […]
Australia: ACIL report exposes strata insurance regulatory gaps
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 […]
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…………………………….
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 […]
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…………………………….