Your Strata Property With Amanda Farmer

I’m sharing the big ticket items from the Strata Schemes Legislation Amendment Bill 2024, and reminding you to join Friday’s LIVE webinar, where we’ll cover the need-to-know detail and your questions.

Lisa Macqueen of Cleancorp joins me to explain how her team is taking a fresh look at a traditional service, and shares why we need to stop de-prioritising the cleanliness of our strata buildings.

New laws commencing in February 2025 expand the disclosure requirements of NSW strata managers. Said to “equip owners corporations with clear and timely information to inform decision-making and enable scrutiny of their strata manager’s actions and interests”, it’s fast becoming clear that all these laws really do is make a strata manager’s poor behaviour an owner’s problem to sort out. In this episode, I explain why that’s simply not good enough.

Reena Van Aalst joins me to cover: – when it might be ‘unreasonable’ for a building to lodge an insurance claim, – whether owners can remove the strata manager and broker from the insurance equation and if so, should they? – the importance of understanding your customer’s language, and – how the Tribunal is dealing with urgent applications.

Owners decide how big or small their strata committees should be. This week, I’m asking the question: is there a perfect number?

I’m taking you inside my recent LIVE presentation delivered for a Sydney local council, at which I shared some best practice steps for dealing with illegal renovation works, and answered questions from the floor about double-glazed windows, motorised garage doors, and more.

Traditionally, this time of the year is the busiest for real estate transactions. With the help of guest Ailinh Ginh, I’m sharing my tips for strata property purchasers: what to be wary of, and how to find value amidst soaring property prices.

I’m joined by two special guests this week: Bruce McKenzie and Stephen Thornton. Together, Bruce and Stephen explain the exciting new technology that’s helping strata buildings move from reactive to proactive when it comes to defects rectification and effective building maintenance.

Amanda is taking a close look at “The Strata Trap” – the recent reporting by the ABC’s Four Corners on the alleged poor practices of strata managers, including the receipt of conflicted remuneration via undisclosed relationships with insurance brokers, and others. And don’t forget to tune in to our “Trust from Transparency” webinar via: www.YourStrataProperty.com.au/Webinar

Reena Van Aalst joins me to discuss: – motions to approve the appointment of a strata manager: does the contract have to be attached to the meeting agenda? – why carpet inside lots seems to cause so much confusion, – how managers who refuse to accept cash payments can protect themselves, and – the small community that’s successfully turning its back on strata.

Michael Teys joins me to unpack a series of recent workplace health and safety convictions involving a Sydney strata plan. He also shares precisely where he thinks strata managers are going wrong with their push for professionalism, leaving us with yet another maxim destined to enter our podcast hall of fame: “You don’t demand respect. You earn it.”

Natalie Fitzgerald is a strata manager determined to improve the working lives of strata managers, with an understanding that change must come from within. In this chat, Natalie shares her thoughts on: – the ABC News revelations as strata’s “Watergate” that had to happen, – how managers could be better served by their professional association, – why a better deal for owners starts with better service from managers, and lots more.

Sam Hogg of PASG Projects joins me to explain the role of a project manager, sharing his tips to help reduce the pain of your next strata remedial works project.

A cardiac arrest is more likely to occur in a residential strata building than a fire, yet most communities are completely unprepared to respond to such an emergency. My guest this week, Kurtis Vuko, is on a mission to do something about that, bringing life-saving equipment into strata buildings across the country.

Karen Stiles, executive director of the Owners Corporation Network (OCN), joins me to share: – how strata owners are being overlooked in today’s conversations about the strata industry, – the astonishing lack of consumer protections for those buying apartments, – the owners who ARE willing to pay more for good strata management, and – why Fair Trading needs to step up – including some ideas for how it might do that.

Lot owner Cate Morrison is fresh from (another) win in the NSW Tribunal. She joins me for this week’s podcast to share: – as a non-lawyer, how she prepares her case for the best chance of success, – her cross-examination technique, – her top tips for other strata owners and committee members self-representing in the tribunal.

Reena Van Aalst joins me to discuss: – Building Management Committees (BMCs): do owners have the right to access records of the BMC? – can an owners corporation refuse to accept cash from an owner wanting to pay their strata levies? – the benefits that a loyal referral partner can bring to your business.

Having spent many years assisting owners, committees, and my own neighbours through large strata remedial works projects, this week I’m sharing my top 3 tips to help ease the pain for anyone doing the same.

Reena Van Aalst joins me to discuss: -why it’s important to update the insurer at the conclusion of legal proceedings, -motions to keep quarterly levies rolling on at the same rate until re-determined: are they legal? -Reena’s takeaways from her recent trip to Spain, and -how to transfer a case from a court to the tribunal, and why you might want to.

Strata owner and committee member Kareem Tawansi long ago made the choice to live in strata rather than a Sydney terrace house. In this chat, Kareem shares how the communities he is now part of are reaching new heights, including the recent approval of a $2.7m upgrade project.

Dr Nicole Johnston joins me to share her soon-to-be-published research, confirming what many in strata have known to be true for quite some time: owners are not meeting their legal duty to properly repair and maintain their buildings, and it’s probably time for some government intervention.

I’ve chosen three listener questions to answer, covering termites, security cameras and the strata manager’s authority to appear before the tribunal.

By popular demand, this is your short (12 min) summary of the Barnes case – including why the case is so important for NSW strata communities. This one delivered for you by a special guest. Tune in to find out who…

Amy Brand and Julie McLean join me, sharing your access to The High Life Expo, happening online and in-person over the next month. We discuss how the apartment market is already changing when it comes to the sustainability conversation – with purchasers demanding more, and how suppliers can best harness the many new opportunities available.

Reena Van Aalst brings us a (long!) list of deadline-driven tasks that a strata manager is legally required to complete on behalf of their clients, and I ask her the question: how do you run a profitable business? I explain the limitations on spending special levy funds, and invite you to the inaugural Strata Impact Conference.

I’m taking you inside part of my LIVE in-person presentation delivered for The City of Canada Bay Council earlier this year, sharing how and why our strata committees should be engaging in the practice of radical transparency (which shouldn’t be that radical…)

Bruce Minter, long-term strata committee member, joins me as we discuss the incredible resilience required to lead a strata community. Bruce explains how he helped his community shift its collective mindset and break “the curse of low levies”. He shares lessons learned from the U.S. Founding Fathers, and his unique understanding that strata “is not a jam stall at a school fete. It’s a business”.

Daniel Holt, strata manager, joins me, calling out the ‘gaslighting’ that he says has been going on in the strata management industry, with the real cost of managing a strata building hidden behind sophisticated third-party payment arrangements extending beyond insurance commissions.

In a week during which the media continues to wage war against strata managers, Reena Van Aalst joins me to provide her point of view. We discuss: – models of remuneration for strata managers, and what Reena says needs to change – the role of Strata Community Association – the murky arrangements between other strata “professionals” and service providers, overdue for investigation, and more.

Recorded before last week’s ABC news story broke, in this interview Tyrone Shandiman of the Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby explains: – how a lack of informed consent around insurance broker appointments may be harming strata owners, – the commercial advantage that strata managers accepting commissions have over those who don’t, – how unfair industry “standard” contracts are feeding the problem, – why we need more voices willing to speak up and share their stories, and more. If you’ve experienced a practice that doesn’t pass the pub test, you’re invited to fill in ACIL’s survey here.

Allume Energy’s Australian-made, world-first technology is expanding the benefits of solar power, past a building’s common areas and into the homes of its occupants. Will Antsee of Allume joins me to explain how millions of apartment residents can reduce their energy bills, at a time when savings have never been more important.

Reena joins me to discuss: – who is responsible for paying the insurance excess on a claim arising from an owner’s burst flexi-hose, – meeting minutes: do our minute-takers have sufficient training? – another Tribunal win for a self-represented litigant and member of our online community.

Effective meetings are at the heart of well-functioning strata communities. Today, I’m taking a closer look at how we record the minutes of meetings, including sharing some insights on the subject drawn from my recent visit to the United States.

I’m taking you inside last Friday’s CPD Education Day, for a quick listen to part of my session on the topic of “privacy” in strata. Just as important for owners as they are for managers, the lessons of this session may surprise you. Also, get the diary out, because I’m announcing the date for our 2025 CPD Education Day. Yep! We’re an organised bunch here at YSP.

Reena Van Aalst joins me to discuss: – why insurers are now asking whether your building has been “re-wired” or “re-plumbed” – committees that are breaching their spending restrictions – how our strata law is failing owners when it comes to privacy – the community leveraging a little-used part of the NSW legislation to ensure all levies are paid on time.

Andrew Boss of Austrata Finance joins me to unpack the new and improved “hybrid” strata loan, including greater certainty for owners at tax time, and easier administration for strata managers.

Brent Clark of Wattblock joins me to share how forward-thinking strata buildings (and savvy purchasers) can ensure they’re “keeping up with the Joneses” when it comes to sustainability infrastructure, all while avoiding the net-zero conversation AND enjoying a 12% uplift in the value of their property.

Sydney strata owner Amanda Reitzin joins me to share her recent experience in the NSW Tribunal battling nuisance smoke drift from her neighbour’s balcony. Amanda shares how she made the difficult decision to litigate, including the lessons she learned along the way. You’ll hear: – Amanda’s realisation that the law is on your side, but it’s up to you to do the hard work – how staying polite and professional at all times is key – why litigation is not about winning – how Amanda’s life has changed since the Tribunal’s orders. This is a must-listen for anyone involved in or considering legal proceedings.

Strata Energy Services has been leveraging the power of the collective since 2018, using “bulk buying power” to get strata buildings a better deal on their energy costs. Sally Pollard joins me to share how it all works and how you can find savings in even the most difficult financial times.

In our first podcast episode for the year, I’m sharing the 5 most popular episodes of 2023 – in case you missed them, need a recap, or are looking for a great place to start if you’re new to our world.

In this final podcast episode for 2023, Reena and I cover: an owner’s refusal to permit access to their lot, leaving the Annual Fire Safety Statement (“AFSS”) in jeopardy whether an owner with damaged blinds should call their committee’s bluff and sue over a few hundred dollars the year’s happy endings, including a surprise special event in my own building’s backyard. The pod will be back in the second week of the new year.

Nikki Jovicic of LookUpStrata joins me to share our common passion for empowering owners through strata knowledge. I answer a couple of curly questions for Nikki’s website and we discuss the ripple effect of strata managers having access to quality education.

Jo Hall of Groundfloor joins me to share how our buildings can better manage parcel deliveries, even without a building manager or concierge, reducing security risks and ensuring peace of mind for residents.

NSW Strata and Property Services Commissioner John Minns joins me to discuss his priorities for the strata sector. We discuss the “number one problem” in strata, reveal precisely who is manipulating the system, why Fair Trading needs increased powers, and more.

Megan Chatterton and Leanne Habib join me to reveal just how unprepared our buildings are for emergency events – even though such events are increasingly likely. Megan is asking owners to participate in research that will assist to arm buildings with vital resources they can rely on in emergencies, and Leanne calls for legislative reform.

This week, Reena Van Aalst and I cover: – signing contracts for building work: what strata managers need to look out for – the rush to access a share of the NSW government’s $10m EV charging grant – self-represented litigants in NCAT, and – the “new” age of electronic record keeping.

Strata manager Tim Sara of Strata Choice joins me to explain the purpose and process of a “First AGM”. Tim explains the role of the strata manager at this early stage of a strata plan’s life – including their relationship to the developer, how owners can best get through a daunting meeting agenda, and his tips for making this “birthing” of a new strata plan as successful as possible.

When a landlord has to shell out thousands of dollars in compensation to a tenant because of a wet, mouldy apartment, what rights do they have to claim that loss from their owners corporation? I’m unpacking two instructive cases coming out of the NSW Tribunal’s Residential Tenancy List last month.

I’m covering the biggest changes that I see for owners and managers coming out of the Strata Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 (NSW).

Reena and I discuss: – why a little perspective would go a long way in the face of rising strata levies – an owner’s obligation to fix a fire door impacted by their new flooring – the timely recognition of a hard-working strata manager – where to go if you want to share what you LOVE about living in strata