Your Strata Property With Amanda Farmer

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…