Strata Schemes: Size does Matter (Sometimes) – 1996 Act
Sometimes in strata size matters and it is important to know how this affects your scheme. The differences in accordance with the Strata Schemes Management Act 1996 (NSW) are outlined below
Author Archives: allisonbensonau
Dividing Fences and Trees -Part 2 – The Who, What and When
Trees in strata and community schemes can be a huge issue. Although we need them trees can cause neighbourhood disputes when they overhang or they interfere with your neighbours plumbing system, fence, retaining wall or even building foundations.
Dividing Fences and Trees – Part 1: Fences – the who what and when
What is a dividing fence? If your fence divides your property from a neighbouring property the Dividing Fences Act 1991 (NSW) may apply. This Act applies to all “dividing fences” […]
Is Stompy the Elephant living upstairs? Hard surface floors in strata schemes
Hard surface flooring# is a huge issue in strata schemes. As someone that has timber floorboards, I see the appeal but as someone who has had Stompy the elephant (or […]
Decision Making in an Owners Corporations: How are decisions made? Informally over coffee or in accordance with legislation?
A constant question asked of strata & community title lawyers is whether a decision of an owners corporation has been validly made. Why is this an issue? Many people don’t know how […]
Strata Reforms are the New Black: Reform on the agenda around the country
Maybe I have been watching too much Orange is the New Black, but it really does seem that all around Australia strata reform is on the policy agenda. In NSW, […]
Proxies and Participation at General Meetings: To attend or not to attend, that is the question
Travelling back east from a mini break in WA I was thinking about participation rates in some strata schemes, particularly those with many investor owners. This was in light of […]
Reno Rumble at The Block – what you don’t see on TV
Don’t get confused by the hype of the block buster TV shows that purport to transform a house or unit within a short time frame from a “renovators delight” to […]
When your home isn’t necessarily your castle: By-laws & Rules – What are they? Who do they bind? Can they be enforced?
By-laws (called Rules in the ACT) are the rules that we must live by when we live in a strata or community title scheme. They are the fourth tier of […]
Wild weather & damage: The Owners Corporation’s duty to maintain and repair the common property
With the gale force winds and torrential rain overnight cutting power, trains and flooding roads this is a quick refresher for owners corporation’s and lot owners on what their respective […]
Thoughts from a strata lawyer ... 