Your Strata Property With Amanda Farmer

This week, Veronica Morgan joins Reena and I as we bust some myths around strata property ownership and share our various perspectives (buyers agent, strata manager, strata lawyer) on working with brand new strata owners. We also share our practical tips for ensuring a smooth transition to strata. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! Episode 055 Good Deeds website The Elephant…

This week, Reena reminds us of the importance of properly detailing the motions on a general meeting agenda: this includes annexing relevant documents such as quotes, contracts and plans. We both see this becoming increasingly important in the age of electronic meetings and pre-meeting voting. Links mentioned: Get the transcript here! Episode 107. Lessons from a strata owner turned strata…

This week, I chat to Karen Stiles of the Owners Corporation Network, who has some practical tips for raising the standard of your strata committee when it comes to decision making and legislative compliance. We also cover some important legislative updates – including the state of the NSW government’s intervention (or lack thereof) when it comes to…

This week, Reena and I examine an interesting question raised by a member inside the YSP Online Community: how do we conduct secret ballots for committee elections when the Strata Schemes Management Regulation 2016 (NSW) requires voters to sign their ballot paper? Reena also reminds us of the power of polls and we recap the highlights of YSP Live. Links Mentioned: Get the…

My guest this week asked precisely the above question and is tracking some fascinating results. I chat to Sam Reece of Australian Apartment Advocacy and Property ESP about the innovative trial of apartment living she’s coordinating in Perth CBD. We also discuss the exploding Western Australian property market, with plenty of hot tips for Perth property investors! Links Mentioned: Get…

This week, Reena and I ease the concerns of lot owners around the compulsory sale process – both under Part 10 of the Development Act and pursuant to state government acquisition for projects like WestConnex. Reena also revises some important tips for managers when it comes to contractor licence checks. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here!

This week, I am joined by Sasha Boe of Real Estate Training Solutions. Sasha explains the important changes to licensing requirements for strata managers, due to take effect on 1 July 2018. This is a ‘must listen’ episode for all strata managers, but particularly business owners. Sasha will also be speaking at Women in Strata’s “learning lunch” on Tuesday 22 May 2018....

This week, Reena and I provide our guidance when it comes to the common question: can owners turn up to a meeting and pay their overdue levies on the spot? Reena also shares a hot tip for how to save your building a few dollars. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here!

This week, I chat with Sean O’Dea of GK Strata Management in Sydney. Sean has been a strata owner and chairperson of his building’s committee for close to 20 years. He recently took a leap over to the ‘other side’ and became a strata manager. We talk about his first six months on the job and…

This week, Reena and I answer a question from a manager-listener, who is understandably confused about the electronic voting regime under the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015. She’s not the only one. If you think you can now just send in an email with your vote rather than attend a meeting, this episode is a ‘must…

This week, I am honoured by the company of Professor Sarah Blandy of the University of Sheffield. We discuss the rather complex way in which the UK regulates its multi-owned properties and why UK property law is ripe for reform. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/law/staff/sblandy Fixing Britain’s Broken Housing Market Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 20...

This week, Reena and I share concerns around fire safety professionals signing off fire safety statements in the face of non-compliance. We answer a listener question about insurance commissions, and review the Tribunal’s current position on legal costs, in light of a recent win. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! 090. In Conversation: the difference between…

This week, I welcome Lynda Kypriadakis back to the podcast, this time to share her expertise on the “hot topic” of combustible cladding. An important issue on everyone’s agenda in this sector, Lynda answers the hard questions in a helpfully concise way. Most importantly, we discuss the steps your building needs to take to find out whether…

This week, Reena and I discuss whether or not an owners corporation is obliged to affix the common seal to a lot owner’s development application. We recap some of the important rules when it comes to the election of the strata committee, and share a recent win in the Tribunal, relevant to access orders under s 124…

This week, I have the privilege of Chris Duggan’s company once again, as he steps us through an innovative process he uses to assist buildings under his management to resolve building defects disputes with original developers. If you’re sick of seeing your newly constructed building waste money on lawyers and consultants when all you want is your leaky shower fixed, then…

Welcome to episode100!! Reena and I have a special treat for this auspicious occasion: we’re letting you behind the scenes of the Your Strata Property Podcast. The bloops…the blips…the giggles. We are laid bare. Disclaimer: this is not an educational episode! Enjoy. **Listen out for the sneak peek of what’s in store for Your Strata Property – Live: the…

This week, I chat with Stacy Barter, who facilitates the “Building Resilient Neighbourhoods Project” in British Columbia, Canada. Stacy shares the research around why it is that some strata buildings are able to build strong, connected communities, and how you can achieve the same in your community. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! https://resilientneighbourhoods.ca/ Links Men...

This week, Reena and I remind you of the approaching deadline for the installation of window safety devices. We also answer the question: how much information should strata managers be giving to potential purchasers asking for information about the building? Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here!

This week, I’m joined by Carlos Flores, who leads the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (aka NABERS), one of Australia’s most successful sustainability initiatives. As well as explaining how NABERShelps owners and investors achieve measurable returns on their efforts to reduce energy and water usage, Carlos shares with us the current plan to expand NABERS into the…

This week, Reena shares her recent surprise when she found a contract for annual fire safety services had automatically rolled over for a further year, without notice to the building. I remind listeners that vendor ‘how to vote’ directions in sale contracts are not valid, and share the details of a recent Tribunal win. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript…

This week, I interview David Hampton, the CEO of Smarter Communities(formerly Vesture Limited), one of the largest community management companies in Australia, with local brands across NSW, QLD, SA and VIC. In this wide-ranging discussion, David shares his thoughts on what the future of strata management might look like, including why he thinks the “self-serve” model promoted by the ba...

This week, Reena shares her recent experience with a Fair Trading investigation of books and records, including some important words of warning. I share my win for a developer client, which has helped clarify an often misunderstood section of the NSW Community titles legislation. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here!

This week on the podcast, I’m sharing with you my handpicked highlights from 5episodes over the past year. A great place to join in if you’re new to the podcast, or a nice 2018 stage-setter for longtime listeners. Plus: listen out for your chance to pre-register for a very special event happening in the first part of this…

In our last episode of the year, Reena and I clarify the rules around co-owners as strata committee members. We also assist two owners who are concerned that the collective sale of their building is proceeding without any notice to them, in breach of the Strata Schemes Development Act. We wish all of our listeners a happy and restful festive season. I’ll be…

This week, I have the privilege of interviewing Mark Atkinson of Atkinson Legal. This year, Mark’s client successfully convinced the Western Australian Court of Appeal to uphold a by-law which effectively prohibited holiday lets. Mark summarises the facts and findings of the case and shares his guidance for buildings trying to regulate short stays. This is an important…