Your Strata Property With Amanda Farmer

This week, Reena and I discuss the little known way for judgment creditors to efficiently recover debts from owners corporations. I explain the difference between a “by-law review” and a “by-law consolidation” and also share SCA’s helpful feedback on best practice for their standard form agency agreements. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! Section 237 Strata&#...

In this special solo episode, I share with you some actionable tips for how to chair a strata meeting effectively, drawn from my experience attending difficult meetings. How to start the meeting, how to put motions, declare results and deal with would-be trouble makers. Listen out for my exciting news at the end of the episode! Links Mentioned:…

This week, Reena successfully convinces a building to increase levies by 85% to pay for essential maintenance works: her tips are immensely valuable for any committee member or strata manager who may find themselves in the same position of having to ‘sell’ an unpopular motion. I cover off the recent Rosenthal and McElwaine court cases, confirming lot owners can claim…

This week, I’m joined by the very experienced Aylie Brutman of Economos, who gives us the inside scoop on what actually happens when strata books and records are audited, and what strata managers can be doing to smooth the process for both auditors and lot owners. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! Section 95, Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW) Economos.com.au Books Mentioned: T...

This week, Reena and I provide our tip if you’ve left your by-law review to the last minute. Reena reveals what happens when buildings forget to strike levies, and I provide some guidance about dealing with unfair terms in a standard-form strata management contract. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! A guide to unfair contract law LPI dealing…

This week, I chat to Cathy Morrissey of The Renovation College about her proven system for adding significant value to your home or investment, in a way that won’t break the bank or stress out your strata committee. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! The Renovation College Website The Renovation College Mastermind The Renovation College 5 Day Challenge Renovation…

This week, Reena and I consider why some buildings seem worse off after the Tribunal’s appointment of a compulsory managing agent. Reena shares her recent success with a fire engineer who went above and beyond, and I give you an insight into the hot topics being discussed inside the Members-only Forum. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript…

This week, I’m joined by Brent Clark, the founder of Wattblock. Wattblockhelps strata buildings reduce their energy consumption and, by extension, their expenses, even in the face of rising electricity prices. Brent explains how.  ​ Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! www.wattblock.com.au http://www.wattblock.com/publications.html City of Sydney Council’s Green Villages Renew Eco...

This week, Reena and I discuss the little known clause in the strata legislation which allows lot owners to oppose an upcoming strata committee decision. We also alert you to the change in legislation which places the onus on buildings to ensure they have engaged a ‘competent’ fire safety practitioner. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! Schedule 2, Clause 9(3) Strata…

This week, I chat to Russell Kelleher of EbixTrades Monitor, a subsidiary of Ebix – a NASDAQ listed company which recently announced its ranking in Fortune magazine’s 100 Fastest-Growing Companies. We cover how you can protect your strata building from rogue contractors using EbixTrades Monitor. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! www.tradesmonitor.com.au Books Mentioned: Fatal Storm:...

This week, I’ve invited both Natalie Fitzgerald and Reena Van Aalst on the show to talk about diversity when it comes to strata committees. What is it? Do we need it? How do we get it? Also, a reminder to secure your spot at the Women in Strata breakfast next Thursday 5 October 2017, at Macquarie Bank in Sydney. Register here. Links Mentioned: Get…

This week, Reena shares her latest challenge: a retaining wall in need of repair and the building expected to meet 50% of the cost. We also discuss the problems inherent in cheap, “template” workplace health and safety reports. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! Dividing Fences Act 1991 (NSW) Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006 (NSW) Short Term…

Having taken a week off to speak at the Griffith University Strata Title Conference, this week I’m taking you back to one of our most popular episodes: my interview with SCA (NSW) President Chris Duggan, on how to manage complex schemes. I’ll be bringing you an all new episode next week. Links Mentioned Get the transcript here! http://bright-duggan.com.au/ Books…

This week, Reena and I discuss the dangers inherent in strata managers acting on the instructions of a single member of the strata committee. At Reena’s request, I also recap the 6 tips in episode 003 – How to Deal with Criminals in Your Strata Scheme. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! Podcast Episode 003: 6 Tips…

In this short [10 min] solo episode, I share my answer to a listener question about amending common property rights by-laws under the new NSW law (formerly exclusive use or special privilege by-laws). Does the new law require the consent of the owner to amend such by-laws? Fair Trading seems to be a little confused on the subject. Here’s my…

This week, I chat with James Mahony about the Urbanise platform – what it is, who it’s for, and why it’s set to revolutionise your experience of strata living. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! www.urbanise.com Book Mentioned: Michael J. Losier: Law of Attraction: The Science of Attracting More of What You Want and Less of What You Don’t

This week, Reena and I discuss the reasons why email correspondence must form part of the books and records of the Owners Corporation and the potential risks to strata managers if it is left out of a strata search or handover of files. I explain why I disagree with NSW Fair Trading on by-laws controlling short term lets, and an insurer comes to the…

This week, I’m joined by Paul Morton of Lannock: a name that will be well known to many of you. Paul explains the three ways strata buildings can fund both short and long term projects. We also discuss the value of focusing on investment return, rather than expenditure. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! www.lannock.com.au Books Mentioned: Nicholas Whitlam: Four Weeks One Summer

This week, Reena and I discuss ‘best practice’ for strata managers dealing with insurance commissions, particularly in light of the new disclosure requirements in the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015. Reena shares her Tribunal win, and I provide an update on the perplexing question of penalty orders under the new legislation. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! Section…

As promised, this week I bring you Part 2 of the audio from the Kelly Partners Strata in Conversation lunch (click here for Part 1 if you missed it). As panel guests, Chris Duggan, Reena Van Aalst and myself answer Brett Kelly’s remaining questions, covering the new building defects regime, collective sales and renewals, capital works fund planning and short term letting. (Please bear with t...

This week, I bring you part 1 of the audio from the sold-out Kelly Partners Strata in Conversation lunch held at Sydney’s Aria restaurant earlier this year. Chris Duggan, Reena Van Aalst and myself answer the curly questions put by Brett Kelly about the practical impacts of the new NSW strata law. Part 2 to follow next week. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here!

This week, I cover all things tech in strata with the ever-knowledgeable Daniel Borin of StrataMax. Listen out for Daniel’s priceless recommendation on how to solve the wifi reliability issues in your strata lot. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! www.stratamax.com/stratavoting www.stratamax.com/For-Owners Books Mentioned: Crucial Conversations

This week, Reena introduces us to the building that cannot be insured. We celebrate the launch of Reena’s website, and a win for a member of the YSP online community, who was able to resolve their strata plan confusion by referring to the original surveyor. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! stratacentral.com.au lpi.nsw.gov.au

This week, I chat with Anne-Maree Paull, State Manager CHU in NSW and ACT, about the exposure of strata committee members to liability and why it’s important to have appropriate insurances in place. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! www.chu.com.au CHU Fact Sheet Books Mentioned: George Orwell, 1984

This week, Reena and I revisit the discussion of proxy forms, answering some listener questions about whether or not forms completed under the old NSW law remain valid under the new law. We also warn of the danger of managers exercising ‘unconscious bias’ when it comes to their buildings. Links Mentioned: Get the transcript here! Austlii