Your Strata Property With Amanda Farmer

In this episode, Reena and I answer these questions: Are all by-laws banning pets now invalid?Why can’t I mail in my general meeting vote?When will an insurer pay temporary accommodation expenses?What does the new Code of Conduct mean for our short term letting by-laws? Links mentioned: Get the transcript here!Watch Amanda’s Facebook Live with Jo…

Adam Hirst of Mirvac joins me to explain “Build to Rent” – in particular, Australia’s first renter-only apartment community, LIV Indigo at Sydney Olympic Park. Adam explains the attraction of this unique model. Could it possibly be the complete absence of strata governance structures and strata title legislation? Surely not… Links mentioned: Get the transcript…

Last Friday I interviewed Jo Cooper and her lawyer, Sharon Levy, over on our Facebook page. Jo is the lot owner who recently convinced the NSW Court of Appeal that the by-law banning pets at her building is invalid. This episode is an edited version of that chat, taking your behind the scenes of this…

Reena and I work through the following challenges: are investor owners still entitled to use common property facilities like the pool, gym and concierge even though they don’t live in the property?what is best practice for managing major works projects from start to finish? and a couple of wins: how Reena took on NBN and wonthe…

Daniel Caruana of Danrae Group demystifies the waterproofing game for us. We talk roofs, balconies, bathrooms, and Daniel answers the question: why do we see so much remediation work in this area? Links mentioned: Get the transcript here!Section 18E – Proceedings for breach of warranty – Home Building Act 1989 (NSW)Danrae Group WebsiteDanrae Hotline: 1…

I’m bringing to the table a rather serious challenge: in a world where some strata lawyers may receive a lot of work via referral from one particular strata management company, are they somehow beholden to that company? If not, why do some strata managers (and maybe even some strata lawyers) think that they are? Reena…

This week, Matt Larwood of StrataVote takes us inside the software that’s revolutionising our strata meetings and giving strata managers back their lives. Links mentioned: Get the transcript here!Listen to the other podcast episodes hereStrataVote websiteStrataVote Anywhere

Links mentioned: Get the transcript here!Shared Space: the WORLD’S FIRST online summit for strata property ownersYour Strata Property Facebook pageJoin us inside the membership! – Summit Opportunity

This week, Reena and I cover: the types of notices that must be sent to an owner’s formal address for servicethe software gap causing problems for our managershow to ensure your motion make it onto the AGM agendawhy insurers won’t chase lot owners to recover payouts Links mentioned: Get the transcript here!Section 263. Service of…

Bernadette and David Janson from The School of Renovating join me to demystify some common “apartment reno” questions including: do we really need council approval for removal of internal walls and does a washing machine installed in a kitchen need to be waterproofed? Links mentioned: Get the transcript here!Your Strata Property Shared Space SummitEpisode 228. THIS…

Have you sensed the shift that’s happening in our strata space right now? A LOT is changing, fast. The future of strata living and strata service looks dramatically different to what we might have had in mind this time last year. Are you ready to embrace the many opportunities this future now presents? Or maybe…

This week, Reena and I tackle another COVID conundrum: whether and how to reopen the gym. I share a win for a pet owner who turned her strata committee around and we lament the repeal of section 125 of our NSW Act: how now to deal with abandoned goods and illegally parked vehicles? Links mentioned:…

Gavin Beardsell joins me to provide an update on the status of Federal Court litigation against the manufacturers of certain types of combustible cladding. Find out if your building is eligible to participate in these fully funded class actions – now commencing in New Zealand also. Links mentioned: Get the transcript here!Australian Combustible Cladding Class Actions…

This week, Reena and I are tackling these sticky situations – some of which may already be on your mind: can residents be forced to wear masks on the common property?does the executor of a deceased estate have the right to vote at general meetings?how to set boundaries to rein in bullieswhy it may be…

It has taken 4.5 years and 200+ episodes, but this week I welcome our first guest from the Australian Capital Territory. Chris Miller of Vantage Strata shares his insights on the changing nature of ACT units plans and updates us on upcoming legislative reform.  Links mentioned: Cumberland City Council Webinar registration (6 August 2020 at midday)…

Reena and I are trading solutions to a range of management issues, including:  whether a strata committee can be elected outside of an AGMrectifying a failure to register an order reallocating unit entitlementshow to set expectations prior to signing an agency agreementhow a strata manager’s resignation resolved a building’s dysfunction Links mentioned: Get the transcript…

This solo episode is devoted to exploring that most Draconian of interventions: the appointment of a compulsory managing agent. How do you get such an appointment? Do you really need one? And a question many owners are left asking after the event: is it really such a good idea? Links mentioned: Get the transcript…

This week, Reena and I cover: unusual renovations: how is the committee to know if an owner is complying with all legal requirements? how to stop residents using the visitor parking when the new strata manager takes over a little too soon (before they are even appointed) your access to up-to-date strata data Links mentioned: Get…

This week, a blast from the past. Way back in September 2016 I spoke to Cathy Sherry about the surprisingly unfettered power strata owners have to regulate the private lives of their neighbours. At a time when this power has been tested and found to be stronger than ever (our NSW “pet” cases), I thought…

Michael Kleinschmidt of Stratum Legal joins me to shed some light on new COVID legislation impacting QLD body corporates. We discuss the status of strata law reform generally in QLD and why Michael believes buildings should have the option to serve meeting notices by Twitter, if it suits them. You’ll also want to tune in…

This week, Reena joins me to discuss: the precarious position in which agents and buildings are left when an agency agreement unexpectedly expireshow buildings can invest surplus funds (and why not all banks are the same)the new COVID regulations for NSW strata schemes: your need-to-know summary. Links mentioned: Get the transcript here! Section 50 -…

This week I am joined by David Edwards, the lawyer who led The Horizon apartment building to success before the NCAT Appeal Panel. David explains the facts, findings and impact of this case, in which a by-law banning pets was upheld. He also promises to buy me a drink. I wrote that one down.  Links…

The President of Real Estate Institute (NSW), Leanne Pilkington joins me this week. We cover: why the relationship between property managers and strata managers needs to improverecent changes to disclosure requirements when it comes to tenants moving into stratahow Leanne’s instinct drove her to start daily Facebook Live chats at the height of the pandemic Leanne’s…

This week, Reena and I are coming to you directly from our live Happy Hour chat recently held over on the Facebook page. We cover: waiving interest on overdue levies: can the strata committee resolve to do this? is it possible to conduct a poll vote via pre-meeting electronic voting? our tips for successful Zoom meetings…

My guest this week is the founder of a website many of you know and love: LookUpStrata. Although she usually prefers to stay out of the limelight, Nikki Jovicic generously shared with me her journey, from collating subject guides for chronic disease to publishing over 100,000 pages of online strata information.  Nikki reveals the most popular…

I’m happy to announce that my regular co-host is BACK this week! Reena and I are covering: what to do about a dysfunctional strata committeewhether disclosing the expiry date of an agency agreement on the front page is sufficient compliance with section 50(6) of the NSW Acthow to amend motions during a general meeting without…

This week, I have the pleasure of Mark Atkinson’s company. The director of Atkinson Legal in Western Australia, Mark has been at the forefront of strata law reform in the state – a massive 24-year undertaking. Amendments to the Strata Titles Act 1985 (WA) commenced on 1 May 2020. Mark summarises the key changes for us and…

Back when the world was a little different (February, to be precise) I spent an evening with residents of The City of Canterbury-Bankstown, answering their questions about: feeding stray animals and birds on common property: can we pass a by-law to prevent this?how to deal with a lot owner who is renting out his divided…

In this live chat conducted on our Facebook page last Friday afternoon over virtual drinks, SCA (NSW) President, Chris Duggan, shared with me: why strata seems to have been left off the government’s COVID agenda why 6pm strata meetings are a thing of the past how our committees need to get comfortable with shades of…

I’m chatting to Sasha Boe of Real Estate Training Solutions about the property industry reforms that commenced in NSW on 23 March 2020 (yes, you may have been distracted by other things!) These reforms impact the way our strata managers operate – from the title they’re allowed to give themselves, to the training and qualifications…

Rob Broadhead of 2020 Fire Protection joins me with an update on the accreditation scheme (almost) in place for fire safety practitioners. * To quote Rob, his industry is now moving from “ragtag bunch of tradies” to “accredited professionals”. When we’re dealing with fire safety, that is indeed a welcome change. We also discuss the impact…

Reena and I are answering the past week’s COVID questions. They just keep coming, and getting more complex… how to hold a meeting with one person present, simply to resolve to conduct electronic meetingswhich council is deferring the fine on late AFSS’sdealing with the increase in noise complaints now that everyone is homereducing levies, waiving…

This week, I’m bringing you the conversation that I had with Heidi Dening over on our Facebook Page during last Friday’s “Happy Hour”. Heidi shared her top tips for building personal and organisational resilience during challenging times, including identifying those who will rise and thrive when the current crisis is over. As you’ll hear, we…

If you haven’t yet checked out the special episode I released last weekend covering off NSW meeting procedures in the face of COVID-19 concerns, head over here now and check it out. In this week’s episode with Reena (recorded before the above special) we’re dealing with: email accounts set up by committees and not shared…

I’m releasing a special edition of the podcast this weekend, answering a question many owners, committee members and strata managers have been asking: Do we have to hold our strata meetings in person? We’re all trying to reduce the risk and spread of infection. Is there a legal way to avoid in-person meetings? This episode…

I’ve recruited Allison Benson of Kerin Benson Lawyers to talk us through the implications of the Pullicin case: the recent NCAT Appeal Panel decision telling us that lot owners should not be applying to the Tribunal if they have a money claim against their owners corporation. There is much (much) more to this case than meets the eye, with…

This week, Reena asks me the question: if the installation of an air conditioner impacts the external appearance of a building, can it still be classed as “minor work” under the NSW legislation? I respond to a listener comment about insurance claims made at the direction of lot owners and Reena explains how the appointment…

This week, I’m chatting to my guest in person for a change:  Frank Higginson of Hynes Legal in QLD. Frank recently welcomed former QLD Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management, Chris Irons, to his team. Frank shares the thinking behind this unusual appointment, including his thoughts on why we must start trying to resolve strata and body corporate disputes…

Happy episode 200! It has been my pleasure to host this podcast for the past 4 years: bringing you guest experts, answering your most curly strata questions and helping as many people as possible to live more peacefully in apartments. This week, I bring you Part 2 of YSP LIVE 2020 (head back to episode…

This week I’m bringing you part 1 of 2 special episodes: I’m taking you inside YSP LIVE 2020, a members-only online event which took place a couple of weeks ago. Reena and I are sharing our week’s challenges when it comes to security cameras and email communications, and answering member questions along the way. Part…

There is a little known aspect of strata property ownership that can have BIG consequences should things go wrong. I’m  explaining it this week in my interview with Veronica Morgan and Chris Bates. This interview was originally aired on their property podcast, “The Elephant in the Room” and I bring it to you this week…

Reena and I discuss: what happens when a bathroom renovation goes wrong and why it’s important to double check waterproofing certificates…whether co-owners can serve on the committee at the same timehow to avoid disputes about general meeting coststhe latest ‘pet-friendly’ NCAT case. Links mentioned: Get the transcript here! Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 – Section…

In this week’s solo episode, I’m explaining the concept of “legal professional privilege”. What is it, when does it attach to communications and should “privileged” documents be removed from a building’s books and records? I’m sharing the need-to-know court cases, practical tips to protect you and your clients and how to avoid the traps inexperienced…

In our first co-hosted episode of 2020, Reena and I get stuck into these curly questions:  whether an owners corporation should reimburse an owner $5,000 for ‘mouldy clothing’ arising from water ingresswhy you must move quickly when registering changes to a CMShow to deal with illegal installations on common property, anda controversial solar panel installation…

I’m chatting to Daniel Holt – strata lawyer turned strata manager – about how to stay calm in a crisis. And he would know: Daniel was the manager who received the phone call on Christmas Eve 2018, informing him that Opal Tower needed to be evacuated. In this wide-ranging conversation, we also cover: how to…

Happy New Year! In this first episode of the year, I’m bringing you the highlights of 2019, with a nod to 5 value-packed episodes from last year. From pets, to insurance commissions to building defects, these are the episodes I hope you didn’t miss. I’m looking forward to sharing another exciting year in strata with…

In this final episode for 2019, Reena and I cover: smoking: who can suffering residents blame and what rights do tenants have?whether a committee has the power to waive interest on overdue leviesthe 3 months’ notice strata managers are required to give, prior to the expiry of their contract, andthe NSW Court of Appeal’s recent…

This week, Caroline McConnachie of MAX Build walks us through the essentials of remedial building works projects. This is vital listening for anyone involved in this kind of work – whether manager or resident. We discuss: why remedial projects often have a more significant impact than other types of construction workhow owners can take control…

This week, Reena and I are covering: vexatious litigants: what are they and what can be done about them?the ‘stop valve’ question once more: does Fair Trading agree that the stop valve is lot property?how to resolve a BMC cost-share disputewhy simply talking to your neighbours about a problem is the best first step towards…

This week, Natalie Fitzgerald and I are talking about a few things that don’t often get talked about in the context of strata living, including how residents might help a neighbour who is the victim of family violenceexercising discretion when it comes to the enforcement of by-laws anddealing more compassionately with those suffering from mental…