To those of you who were previously involved in water leak disputes in your development, you would know that these types of issues get quite complex. Do strata communities have to get involved in owner-to-owner water leak disputes? Read the article…………………………..
Jamaica: Renewed call for gated community legislation
There is a renewed call for the Government to move with urgency to establish legislation to govern gated communities, as some residents say the absence continues to cause headaches for property owners. Read the article…………………………
India: Structural experts sought to conduct audit of audit of 60 condominiums
Gurugram: The Gurugram administration and the department of town and country planning (DTCP) on Saturday sought expressions of interest from private firms for conducting structural audits of nearly 60 condominiums in the district, said officials Read the entire article……………………………….
Australia: Mascot Towers saga a sorry reminder to keep strata records (NSW)
As if the former residents of Mascot Towers in Sydney weren’t doing it tough enough, last month they received another blow, and it’s one that smacks of local government incompetence, with maybe even a lingering whiff of past potential corruption Read the entire article……………………………….
Australia: Five reasons why strata communities get involved in water leak disputes
To those of you who were previously involved in water leak disputes in your development, you would know that these types of issues get quite complex. Do strata communities have to get involved in owner-to-owner water leak disputes? Read the entire article……………………………….
Australia: Five years on from Grenfell, and what have we done?
The fifth anniversary of London’s Grenfell fire on 14 June is a time to reflect. 72 lives were lost, the families and communities involved were devastated, and as a result of the disaster, leaseholders and strata property owners worldwide suffered the financial stress and mental anguish of removing combustible cladding. It is a time to […]
Australia: NSW buildings still lined with combustible cladding five years after deadly Grenfell Tower fire
Five years on from the deadly Grenfell Tower fire in London, buildings in NSW are still lined with similar combustible cladding. On June 14, 2017, 72 people were killed when aluminium cladding fuelled a fire that engulfed the building in North Kensington. The tragedy sparked worldwide bans on the combustible material and 18 months ago […]
Turks and Caicos Islands: An Overview Of Strata Titles And Homeowners’ Association Ownership
If you are looking at purchasing a condominium, apartment, or villa within a development/complex (as opposed to a standalone house or villa) in the Turks and Caicos Islands (“TCI”), title to the property will either be what is known as a “strata title” or will be part of a Homeowners’ Association. This article aims to […]
Cayman Islands: Without district councils, residents take matters into their own hands
With District Councils still nowhere in sight one year after Cayman’s general elections, residents are taking district matters into their own hands. They are doing this either through homeowners’ associations or neighbourhood watches Read the entire article……………………………….
France: On D-Day anniversary, battle over Juno Beach condo development wages on
On the 78th anniversary of the D-Day operation in France, a battle against a proposed condo development set to be constructed on Juno Beach wages on. Earlier this year, French property developer Foncim announced plans to build a 70-unit condominium complex on the beach. But one group continues to petition Canada’s federal government to put […]
Australia: Strata, Rain, Water Leaks and Common Property Fixes
NSW has experienced unprecedented wet weather this year which has made it difficult to find contractors who are able to repair common property defects in strata blocks. However, the duty to repair common property is a strict one and there are limited exceptions to that rule. So does the recent inclement weather provide an owners […]
Australia: Defending a Water Ingress Claim: What are the Owners Corporation’s Defences?
Over the past few months NSW has experienced widespread and heavy rainfall. This has resulted in increased and prevalent claims against owners corporations, however the recent weather events and delays in construction is no defence to a breach of s106 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW) (SSMA) or a nuisance claim. Read the entire […]
India: No change in maintenance fees despite 2 legal orders
PUNE: Residents of a Sahakarnagar-based condominium, registered under the Maharashtra Apartment Ownership Act, 1970, awaits its committee to revise the maintenance charges in accordance with the size of flats despite two legal orders issued in their favour. Read the entire article……………………………….
Australia: Out-of-Court Settlement Reached Over Opal Tower
A landmark out-of-court settlement has been reached in the multi-million-dollar class action over Sydney’s defect-riddled Opal Tower, one of Australia’s most significant property lawsuits. Read the entire article……………………………….
Australia: EV Charging – Information Portal for Strata Owners
The world is turning away from Internal Combus7on Engines (ICE) toward electric vehicles (EV)s as a response to climate change and environmental concerns around air quality. Transport is the second highest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and its emissions are s7ll growing. Most vehicle 1manufacturers have EV plans, and many are making announcements they will […]
Zimbabwe: War of the opulent: Wadyejena threatens to sue Borrowdale Brooke Homeowners Association
GOKWE Nembudziya legislator Justice Mayor Wadyejena has threatened to drag the Borrowdale Brooke Homeowners Association (BBHOA) to court for illegally deactivating his vehicle tags and relegating him to use the visitors’ lane to enter and exit the plush residential area Read the entire article……………………………….
Singapore: ‘Not rocket science’: How one condominium is taking steps to fight dengue
If there’s one thing Bob Wong, a resident of Woodsvale condominium in Woodlands wants people to know, it is that the fight against dengue is not just about individual efforts. Read the entire article……………………………….
India: Relief to condo owner made to pay excess maintenance
PUNE: Deputy registrar of cooperative societies, Pune city, has ordered reduction in “excess” maintenance charges collected from the owner of a Pimple Nilakh condominium as per the provisions of the Maharashtra Apartment Ownership Act, 1970. Read the entire article……………………………….
Australia: Are Long Tail Building Management Agreements still Enforceable?
A common source of frustration for owners corporations trying to ensure good building management is the long-term building management agreement negotiated by the developer and inherited by the owners corporation. Frequently, this involved sale of building management rights, with little if any regard to the owners corporation’s needs and best interests Read the entire article……………………………….
Bermuda: The condo dilemma
Changes to Bermuda laws designed to stimulate economic investment have made it more difficult for international buyers to purchase condominiums, writes property lawyer Mathew Kelly in this opinion article. The recent budget highlighted two major problems in Bermuda, namely an increasing debt burden and a decreasing population. Read the entire article……………………………….
South Africa: The dog and noise rules that South Africans living in complexes and estates should know about
A new symptom of the Covid-19 crisis and work-from-home business model is plaguing residents in community housing schemes like sectional title complexes and residential estates: barking dogs. Read the entire article……………………………….
Singapore: Strata owners of Golden Mile Complex give nod to $700 mil bid
It looks like the majority of the strata owners of Golden Mile Complex have given their consent for the collective sale committee (CSC) to proceed with the sale of the property on Beach Road at $700 million. It was the price offered by joint bidders, Far East Organization and Perennial Holdings. Read the entire article……………………………….
Spain: How a negative comment about a real estate developer was turned into an NFT
Since being taken to court for criticizing the poor workmanship of his new home, Diego has paid out €4,000 in legal fees. Now he has found an innovative way to recover some of his costs Read the entire article……………………………….
Australia: Claims by Owners for Damages caused by Water Ingress under s106(5)
As a result of recent heavy rainfall, many lot owners have suffered significant water ingress/penetration issues and consequential water damage within their lots. These include, but are not limited to: Read the entire article……………………………….
Malaysia: Upgrading skills in managing high-rise homes
UNAUDITED accounts, unpaid maintenance fees and misuse of funds are some of the experiences of inefficient management practices shared by participants at a free seminar on strata management. It was organised by the Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS) at Shah Alam Convention Centre. Read the entire article……………………………….
Australia: NCAT terminates oppressive building management contract (NSW)
Since the commencement of the Strata Schemes Management Amendment Act 2002 (NSW) (SSMA) in 2003, the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Tribunal) has had the power to terminate a building management agreement (formerly known as a caretaker agreement) in circumstances where: Read the entire article……………………………….
Australia: Rain, Rain and More Rain…Revisiting the Basics of Responsibility To Maintain Common Property
Australia recently had its wettest November in 122 years. March and April 2022 have seen unprecedented rainfall in New South Wales. Extensive rainfall events test the patience of every strata manager because they result in numerous complaints about water leaks into strata lots.Faced with apparently endless demands, owners corporations need to be very clear about […]
South Africa: What the PPA means for Community Housing Schemes
Much has already been said about the Property Practitioners Act (PPA) and Regulations which came into effect on 1 February and the immediate effects on consumers in the property sector as well as all the estate agents, brokers, property managers, auctioneers, bond originators, bridging financiers and home inspectors that fall under its ambit. Read the […]
Guyana: Landmark Condominium Bill tabled in National Assembly
(Note: To table a bill is to put it before the House of Representatives or committee) Persons who have purchased duplexes or condominiums from the state will soon be able to access the titled document for their properties, as the Condominium Bill 2022 was tabled in the National Assembly on Wednesday. Read the entire article……………………………….
Australia: New Mandatory AGM Digital Reporting for Strata Schemes! (NSW)
Commencing 30 June 2022, the NSW Government will launch phase 2 of the ‘Strata Hub’, revolutionising strata management which means new reporting requirements for all strata schemes. The ‘Strata Hub’ phase 1 initially went live on 31 July 2021 launching the Strata Building Bond and Inspections Scheme (IBBIS) functions to be dealt with through the […]
Australia: Understanding the necessity of strata fees (WA)
Although, for many people, the idea of apartment living is an attractive alternative to a suburban home, there has been a large deterrent preventing more people from exploring this option – strata fees. The reality is that buying a home, whether an apartment, house or unit, is expensive. With Western Australia’s population and migration set […]
India: 60 residents in Ghaziabad condominium fall ill, water contamination suspected
Nearly 60 residents, mostly children, of Land Craft Golf Link in Ghaziabad fell sick on Wednesday morning, prompting the authorities to send medical teams to the residential society Read the entire article……………………………….
Australia: ‘Daddy, is our home still broken?’: Mascot Towers owners in plea for help (NSW)
Mr Carr was among 40 owners who visited NSW Parliament on Wednesday to deliver 62 letters to Premier Dominic Perrottet and Fair Trading Minister Eleni Petinos, urging them to extend rental subsidies for unit owners. Read the entire article……………………………….
Australia: Power struggle: Doctor forced to sell electric car after his building denied access to power point
As a doctor regularly treating patients suffering the ill effects of floods, heat and bushfires, Dr Akhil Gupta is eager not to contribute to climate change himself. But the 34-year-old is devastated after being forced to dump his electric vehicle for an old petrol car because the apartment block where he lives refused to allow […]
Philippines: HOA rights and powers
Recently, I received a message from a client asking about the rights and powers of a homeowners’ association. Let me share to you some of the things I discussed in my response. Read the entire article……………………………….
Australia: Bad Building Manager – NCAT Issues a Warning
A recent decision of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) has broken new ground in making orders for the termination of a Building Manager Agreement. Read the entire article……………………………….
South Africa: Before you buy a home in a gated estate, this is what you need to know
The popularity of gated communities – and especially estates – has grown steadily over the past few years, thanks to the added security that they offer homeowners plus, in many cases, a complete live-work-and-play lifestyle incorporating sports and entertainment facilities, restaurants, wellness centres, schools and sometimes even shops and offices. Read the entire article……………………………….
Kuala Lampur: Strata Titles Act to be amended to address issues on dilapidated buildings
Amendments to the Strata Titles Act 1985 (Act 318) are being drafted to address the issue of dilapidated buildings in the country, said Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican. He said the amendment involved consent by unit owners, as well as procedure for the termination of strata scheme, to allow […]
Australia: Strata Managers & self-managed strata schemes: Are you ready for the new annual reporting requirements?
On 30 June 2022 a new information regime comes into effect for strata schemes. That regime is as a result of the Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Information) Regulation 2021. What effect does this mean for strata managers and self-managed strata schemes? Read the entire article……………………………….
Philippines: Pangan: HOA election finally over
THE much-awaited/anticipated election of the new set of board of directors (BOD) of the Fiesta Communities Tabun Mabalacat City Homeowners Association, Inc. (FCTMCHAI) was held last Sunday, March 6, 2022, at the HOA premises. Two teams vied for the posts and the Team Tap or Team Tuloy sa Pag-asenso emerged victorious with ten out of […]
Singapore: A tale of two judgments: lessons to be learnt from a Management Corporation’s claim against its managing agent
On 28 February 2022, the General Division of the High Court and the District Court separately released a judgment involving very similar claims by a Management Corporation against its managing agent for breach of contractual duties, but each leading to a different outcome. Read the entire article……………………………….
Turks & Caicos: Condo owners sue Inn at Grace Bay for ‘unconstitutional’ no pet policy
Condo owners at the Inn at Grace Bay have brought a suit against the boutique hotel for what they call an ‘unconstitutional no pet policy’. Donald Desrochers and Laura Lawrence – a retired Canadian couple – are saddened that such a discriminatory policy was hastily put in place to deprive them – and other owners […]
Australia: The DO’s and DON’TS in By-Law Drafting: How far can an Unenforceable By-Law take you?
The very nature of strata ownership and its close proximity of living environment increases the likelihood of disputes occurring and it is common to see that many owners corporations take a proactive approach to create rules and procedures to ensure that things run smoothly within the scheme. While the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (SSMA […]
Bahamas: Judge Urges Condo Act Reform Over Pi Blunder
An architect’s blunder has ensnared a multi-million dollar Paradise Island project in multiple legal battles and prompted a Supreme Court judge to call for the Condominium Act’s reform. Legal documents seen by Tribune Business reveal how several sales at the ten-storey One Ocean condo project, which dominates the skyline on Paradise Island’s southern shore, have […]
Residents of some Singapore condos feeling strain of surging electricity bills
Residents of some condominiums can expect to fork out more for the maintenance of common areas due to surging electricity bills. The hardest-hit have been mid-sized private residential estates abandoned by electricity retailers and exposed to the volatile wholesale market, condominium managers and managing agent firms told The Straits Times. Read the entire article……………………………….
Australia: Gardening in Strata & Community Schemes: Some thoughts
While this may not be a very interesting topic for some, for others I’ll have just hit on a sore point. Why? Gardens can be very personal, for instance I love my slightly untidy but very liveable low maintenance native garden but for some all they would see is wasted space. Read the entire article……………………………….
South Africa: Blyde River and the thorny issue of short term rentals in complexes
For permanent residents, units rented out on a short-term basis – whether through Airbnb or other channels – can be bad news, jeopardising the development’s reputation, property values and security. For many property investors, however, short term rentals are their bread and butter. Read the entire article……………………………….
Philippines: Here’s a Helpful Guide on What You Need to Consider When Choosing Your Very First Condo in Metro Manila
Condo-living may be the closest you can get to achieving the live-work-play lifestyle, especially in Metro Manila. Condos have amenities at arms’ length, are situated in prime locations, and require less maintenance. It’s the kind of environment that attracts young professionals who are striving for independence while making a name for themselves, and are looking […]
Philippines: Ka Leody barred from campaigning inside Antipolo private subdivision
Presidential candidate and labor leader Leody de Guzman said he was barred from campaigning inside a private subdivision in Antipolo City on Saturday. Read the entire article……………………………….
India: Gurugram condominium declared unfit for living, all 140 families to move out
Soon after cave-in of flats at Chintels Paradiso, Ggm admin has asked all 140 families at another condominium – found unfit for living last year just 4 years after completion – to move out by March 1. Read the entire article……………………………….