You’d think that strata buildings would notice if money is missing, given how frugal they are. But, in NSW there’s more than half a million dollars of uncollected strata money just sitting around in government coffers. Read on to find out how and why that’s happened, and, what strata buildings can do about it. Read […]
India: Residents Live In Fear As Ceilings Fall, Cracks Appear In Chennai Apartments
Over 300 families in a posh 17-storey apartment complex in Chennai are living in constant fear as parts of the buildings’ roof have collapsed due to poor construction work. Read the article………………………..
Thailand: Clear Up City Condo Mess
The Supreme Administrative Court ruling on Ashton Asoke, an upscale high-rise condominium, has sent shockwaves among Bangkok project developers. The ruling last Thursday invalidated the construction permit… Read the article………………………..
Australia: Preventing Winter Fire Hazards
Winter is well and truly upon us and statistics show that almost half of unit fires are started in the kitchen and 58% of all fire fatalities occur in winter. With winter well and truly here, let’s take the time to brush up of safety measures and be prepared if you haven’t already to reduce […]
Malaysia: Controversial takeover attempt of JB condo management stopped by cops
An attempt by a new management corporation (MC) to remove the existing joint management body (JMB) of a high-end condominium here was stopped after police intervention today. Read the article………………………..
Philippines: Residents of a BGC Condo Alarmed After Management Releases Memo to Remove Community Cats
Volunteers and supporters of a group dedicated to caring for community cats of their condominium residence in Bonifacio Global City are voicing out their concern regarding the condo’s management and property developers have reportedly been taking action to remove these cats from its premises. Read the article………………………..
Australia: (Op/Ed) Is it worth paying the volunteers on your apartment committee?
Some argue for paying a little more in your levies to have trained office-bearers, rather than untrained amateurs making big-buck decisions. Read the article………………………..
Australia: 20 years later, Grellman’s Ghost leaves Strata Owners in a Top Place Nightmare (NSW)
Recent news about the collapse of a major NSW developer and builder of strata apartment complexes leaves tens of thousands of strata owners in a building defects nightmare. One of the major causes for their problems is a ghost from 20 years ago that’s still haunting strata stakeholders. And, here’s the sad and sorry tale […]
Australia: Who’s minding the gap in your big strata budget?
As rising living costs and mortgage interest rates bite at our heels, it seems levy (or fee) payments are often among the first financial commitments to suffer when household budgets are recalculated Read the article………………………..
India: Tower H of Chintels also deemed unsafe, B and C are fine
Tower H of the Chintels Paradiso condominium in Sector 109 has been deemed unsafe by experts from IIT-Delhi, according to district officials. The structural audit reports of towers B, C, and H will be shared with homeowners and the residents’ welfare association in the next few days Read the article………………………..
Australia: Apartment owners face strata fee increases of 20 per cent as costs soar
Strata levies paid by apartment owners are up by 15 to 20 per cent on average over the past year as the costs of insurance, utilities and repairs and maintenance outstrip even the rapid rise in general inflation. Read the article………………………..
Australia: The ‘extra obstacle’ for owners clashing with body corporates over building defects (NSW)
The number of people applying for strata scheme mediation has surged by 45 per cent in five years as owners clash with owners corporations over building defects and repairs. Read the article………………………..
Australia: Does Government have a Strata Plan?
Australian strata title buildings, owners, and stakeholders are regulated by extensive & complex strata laws that are created, tweaked, and managed by state governments. But, do those governments have any clear policy objectives, strategies, or medium to long-term plans for strata title, or, are they just reacting to more and more strata buildings crises? And, […]
Bahamas: Lucayan Towers South condo association president refuses to answer questions as GBPA ultimatum looms
THE head of a condominium association responsible for a complex in Freeport that could have its occupancy certificate revoked dismissed questions from a reporter yesterday about the longstanding concern. Read the article………………………..
Australia: Who’s minding the gap in your big strata budget?
Annual strata budgets can run into the millions, yet there are no requirements for office bearers to possess financial or legal skills. Read the article………………………..
Australia: Improving Strata 03: Does Government have a Strata Plan?
Australian strata title buildings, owners, and stakeholders are regulated by extensive & complex strata laws that are created, tweaked, and managed by state governments. But, do those governments have any clear policy objectives, strategies, or medium to long-term plans for strata title, or, are they just reacting to more and more strata buildings crises? And, […]
Australia: Apartment owners face strata fee increases of 20 per cent as costs soar
Strata levies paid by apartment owners are up by 15 to 20 per cent on average over the past year as the costs of insurance, utilities and repairs and maintenance outstrip even the rapid rise in general inflation. Read the article………………………..
Netherlands: Three-quarters of apartment owners unhappy with management of homeowners association
Over three-quarters of apartment owners are unhappy with the manager of their homeowners’ association, Vereniging Eigen Huis, the umbrella for homeowners associations, said after analyzing the complaints to its hotline. They complain about bad communication, poor administration, and managers making decisions without consulting the members. Read the article………………………..
Singapore: More buildings putting in AI, smart sensors to manage utilities, cut costs
More buildings in Singapore are using smart systems with sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) to manage their utilities and manpower amid rising costs. These smart facilities management systems are also being used to help buildings go green. Read the article………………………..
Australia: Queensland government proposing changes to strata laws
The Queensland government is proposing a reduction in the number of unit owners needed to agree on a sale of the entire complex. Watch the news report………………………..
Estonia: Residents of fire-damaged flats in legal battle with insurance company
A legal dispute has impeded the reconstruction of an apartment building that was destroyed by fire last year. The residents of the building see the situation as a threat to all apartment buildings in Estonia, but insurance companies and government agencies say no action is required. Read the article………………………..
India: Key Insights into Homeowner Associations: An Overview of Important Information
Homeowner associations (HOAs) play a significant role in many residential communities, governing and managing various aspects of communal living. These associations are formed to maintain property values, establish rules and regulations, and provide shared amenities and services. Read the article………………………..
Sri Lanka: Condos in conflict: Empire vs Tri-Zen
In an action that came up before Colombo District Court Residential Towers Ltd., (TRI-ZEN) at No. 17, Sir Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha, Colombo 02 was restrained from building and or painting the North-West side of their condominium building at No. 5, Baybrooke Place, Colombo 02. Read the article………………………..
Australia: Frustrated neighbours, debt and $1m budgets: High stakes for volunteer strata committees
Understanding “incredibly complex” legislation and maintenance has been a huge learning curve, and trying to get owners to understand costs or participate in subcommittees has been a major hurdle, O’Connell said. Read the article………………………..
Australia: ‘More blocks in danger’ of Mascot Towers-style evacuations
There could be as many as five apartment blocks in NSW teetering on the brink of forced evacuation – as befell both Mascot Towers and Opal Towers four years ago – because their owners corporations (or body corporates) are too scared to come forward and ask for help with building defects. Read the article………………………..
Australia: Owners Corporation – NCAT Enforces By-laws
Does an owners corporation have to enforce its by-laws? If an owners corporation decides to ignore breaches of its by-laws, can NCAT force the owners corporation to take action and enforce its by-laws? A recent NCAT case provides the answer to these questions. Read the article………………………..
Bahamas: Condo headed south: LTS owners and neighbors upset over appearance
The once prestigious and stylish Lucayan Towers South Condominium complex is quickly becoming one of the island’s eyesores as the building continues to deteriorate while authorities appear unwilling or unable to intervene. Balconies are crumbling, liding glass doors are boarded up, there is exposed rebar and derelict cabanas surround the empty pool. Read the article………………………..
Ethiopia: New Tax On Condominium Houses Ignites Controversy, Concerns Arise Over Legal Implications, Potential Social Crisis
The recent implementation of a revised tax rate on condominium house roofs and walls by the Addis Ababa City Administration Revenue Office has sparked a heated debate and raised significant concerns among various stakeholders. Legal experts, financial analysts, and homeowners alike are voicing apprehensions about the potential implications of this tax adjustment, emphasizing the financial […]
Australia: Apartment and townhouse owners report strata fees rising by up to 45 per cent over past year
Australia’s growing population of apartment and townhouse owners say their strata fees have substantially increased in the past year Read the article………………………..
India: 100 fall ill in Gurgaon condo, water to be tested for contamination
Around 100 residents of a society in Sector 83 have fallen ill and complained of diarrhoea, fever and stomach ache over the last seven days. Read the article………………………..
Malaysia: JB condo JMB files police report over alleged illegal AGM
The joint management body (JMB) of a luxury condominium here has lodged a police report against its developer alleging that an annual general meeting (AGM) called for July 2 is unlawful. Read the article………………………..
Dominican Republic: Does the HOA of your building allow Airbnb and other short term rentals?
Airbnb rentals have become hugely popular in the Dominican Republic, with more tourists opting for private residences versus staying in a hotel. According to one report from DR’s Central Bank, Airbnb rentals accounted for nearly 44% of tourist accommodations for the first half of 2022. Read the article………………………..
Australia: Thinking about joining your strata committee? Here’s why you should take the leap
With the increasing popularity of apartment living and the desire to be close to amenities, as many as 1 in 5 Australians now reside in properties under a strata title. Nationally, there are 340,601 strata schemes, with 2,869,845 lots, resulting in an average of 8.4 lots per strata scheme, according to data in the June […]
Vietnam: Gov’t removes condo ownership time limit from draft law
Speaking at the NA’s sitting today, June 19, Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi acknowledged that setting a duration for apartment ownership as proposed in the draft has received clashing viewpoints. Read the article………………………..
India: ‘No Lungi or Nighty’: Row After Dress Code Circular in Greater Noida Society
An apartment owners’ association in Sector Phi 2 of Greater Noida has issued a request to all residents, urging them to consider their attire when utilizing the common areas and park facilities. Read the article………………………..
Australia: ‘Dob in a developer’ scheme extended as builders forced to fix defects
Builders and developers have been told to fix shonky work across 33 properties by NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, as the government announces an extension to the building dispute resolution scheme. Read the article………………………..
Australia: Noisy Strata Neighbours – The Top Noise Complaints
Strata apartments come with many perks for owners and tenants but of course, there’s also a downside with one of the biggest complaints being noise. As more and more people enjoy apartment living noise complaints have increased in recent times by 33%* and they continue to rise. Read the article………………………..
Japan: Japan weighs proxy condo management for owners abroad
The Japanese government is considering setting up a proxy condominium management system for overseas owners. Under the proposed system, proxies will have the authority to make decisions concerning the management of the condos on behalf of absentee owners. They will be able to decide, for instance, to allow builders entry into condo units for repair […]
Jamaica: New regime for communities with shared ownership in common property
Legislation regulating communities with shared ownership of common property (shared communities) that do not fall within the ambit of a strata has been on the horizon for some time now. Examples of such shared communities include townhouse developments, commercial developments and developments with semi-detached or detached units. Read the article………………………..
Australia: Can you charge an EV in a strata complex? It’s complicated
Strata residences such as apartment buildings and unit dwellings, ill-equipped to deal with a mass uptake of electric vehicle charging, could slow the country’s progress in transitioning to green tech. Read the article………………………..
India: Workers in high-rises earn low wages
In the fast-mushrooming high-rise apartments and gated enclaves in urban areas, where the upper classes, including corporate honchos, are living, a gross lack of human concern is becoming largely manifest in the way the lakhs of workers working as cl… Read the article………………………..
Australia: Strata explained: Your most pressing strata questions answered
From short-term rental policies to guidelines for electric vehicle charging stations, Stephen Brell, president of the Strata Community Association answers all your burning strata questions. Read the article………………………..
Jamaica: Strata Corporations Urged to File Annual Returns
Director of the Commission of Strata Corporations (CSC), Tricia Harris says proprietors of strata corporations are still able file their annual returns with the Commission. Read the article………………………..
Singapore: Condo owners reluctant to sell private homes due to cooling measures
The 15-month wait-out period is a factor. After the 15-month wait-out period was introduced in September 2022, condo owners are now reluctant to sell their homes, said PropNex. Read the article………………………..
Australia/Singapore: Governing cities: Exploring the laws of multi-family dwellings
Multi-family dwellings are an inevitable part of cities around the world. With so many living in close proximity to one another, conflicts are unavoidable. It is therefore important to ensure that such conflicts are efficiently resolved, and multi-family dwellings are governed properly. In the context of Singapore, applying for a high-rise public housing flat is […]
India: Homeowners’ Association (HOA) Laws: Rights and Responsibilities of Owners
In this article, we will delve into the laws governing HOA’s and outline the rights and responsibilities of the owners. Read the article………………………..
South Africa: Cats and other issues of complaints not for ombud to determine, court rules
A resident and homeowner at an upmarket Johannesburg golf estate will no longer be able to call on the Community Scheme Ombud Service to resolve the disputes between her and the homeowners association. Read the article………………………..
Australia: Councils call for Strict Caps on Short Term Letting
Short-term rental accommodation (STRA) in strata properties will continue to be a highly contentious topic in 2023 with even more scrutiny and increasing backlash to the industry because of the current housing crisis. Read the article………………………..
South Africa: Woman sentenced to five years in prison
According to a statement by the Directorate for Priority Crimes (Hawks) Holtzhauzen was employed as a financial administration manager at Zandspruit Homeowners Association NPC situated in Hoedspruit. “Some of her responsibilities as a manager, include paying service providers for services rendered. Instead of paying the service providers, the accused created fictitious claims and transferred the […]
Malaysia: Duo lose bid to declare residents’ group security scheme illegal
THE Federal Court today dismissed an appeal brought by a homeowner and his tenant who sought to declare the gated and guarded community security scheme operated by the Bangsar Park Residents’ Association (BPRA) in Bangsar Park illegal. Read the article………………………..