Your Strata Property With Amanda Farmer

Reena and I cover: the strata subdivision that left an owners corporation with a $70,000 debt, a reminder that strata managers advise, owners decide: especially when it comes to the motions on general meeting agendas, a thwarted adjournment application, and how to handle “general business” discussions at AGMs.

My THREE guests this week are Yolande Nyss, Elizabeth Stewart and Bruce McKenzie, each helping to explain "Project Intervene": a NSW government initiative for newer residential buildings with original building defects.  We discuss: why litigation about building defects does not produce desirable outcomes for owners why Project Intervene is good for developers too Project Intervene's focus on correct solutions, supervised repair and independent oversight how eligible buildings can get involved in the project and why that needs to happen NOW.

The annual CPD requirements for NSW strata managers have changed. Sasha Boe of Real Estate Training Solutions joins me to explain: - why CPD hours have been reduced - the importance of a training plan - a deadline for assistant agents and more.

I'm sharing 3 ways you can learn more about the power of by-laws, including an invitation to take "The By-Law Pressure Test": are your by-laws about to crack?

When Ada Wong (Lane Cove Council) and Susan Chen (Willoughby City Council) looked at the results of their biennial Community Wellbeing Survey, they saw some interesting data from apartment residents, leading them to produce a “Meet Your Neighbours” toolkit. In this chat, they're sharing those survey results and access to the free toolkit.

Strata manager Reena Van Aalst and I cover: - whether by-laws that force owners to receive their meeting agendas by email are legal, - the electronic signing of proxy forms, - the “democratic” compulsory management, and - an unexpected win for the minority owner in a 2-lot plan.

Corey Nugent is the CEO of Resilience Insurance, the only insurer currently offering "decennial liability" or "latent defects insurance" in Australia.  Corey shares: - the catastrophic financial and emotional toll that building defects extract from strata owners,  - why insurance was always part of David Chandler's solution to the building defects crisis,  - the precise questions that purchasers buying strata apartments off-the-plan need to be asking at the display suite this weekend,  and more. 

Julie McLean is the current president of Strata Community Association (VIC). In this no-holds-barred discussion, Julie reveals: - how the system has failed at the point of purchase - the unreliable "source of proof" when strata properties are marketed for sale - that in VIC, "anyone with a heartbeat" can be a strata manager, and why that has to change - why she's calling for specific training for compulsory managers (administrators), and so much more.

I'm taking you inside a member call: an opportunity offered exclusively to members of the Your Strata Property Online Membership Community. In this call, I guide a new strata owner on the process of seeking retrospective approval for the hard flooring they have already installed. I also cover: the installation of child-safety nets on a balcony; a clever way to 'sell' the idea of a bathroom renovation how to access the strata roll ahead of a general meeting and more.

Reena and I cover: the legal obligation of an owners corporation to meet "loss of rent" claims: how far does it stretch? double-glazing of windows: is it really minor work? a stunning makeover for an iconic Sydney building, and more.

I’m sharing both the legal and practical steps owners can take to deal with underperforming or misbehaving committee members - including relevant Tribunal cases.

Reena and I cover: - why a lack of office bearer's liability cover might not be as scary as it sounds - how an owners corporation appoints a representative to the community association - how to extend the term of your strata loan, and - the investor owner who saved $35,000 in interest payments

       Links mentioned: Get the transcript here! Friday LIVE with Amanda Farmer Episode 349. Why we must resolve the conflicts of interest in our strata insurance arrangements – John Trowbridge Independent Review of Strata Insurance Practices - Phase 1: Findings and Recommendations Independent Review of Strata Insurance Practices - Phase 2: Remuneration of… Looks like you tried to access members only content? Members: Log In Here If you’re not a member, you can find out about all the benefits of membership over here

In the first part of this two-part episode, John Trowbridge explains why he has been engaged as a private consultant to conduct a review of strata insurance practices (and who has engaged him). He walks us through the history of our strata insurance sector, including how brokers came to be involved and why commissions and broker fees are today so firmly entrenched in our system. John explains why a lack of transparency around these fees is not only a problem for owners, but the source of a conflict of interest for strata managers. Don’t miss part 2 of this important conversation, next week.

For more than 20 years the Owners Corporation Network (OCN) has been the independent voice of strata owners. In this chat, vice chair and director Tom Belsham says that the unique aspects of strata ownership have been poorly understood by our state government for too long. Tom takes us through the ten key issues the OCN is urging government to commit to taking action on, ahead of the NSW state election.

If you've ever experienced a pipe blockage in a building due to "flushable" toilet wipes...this is the episode for you. Jonathan Nykel of The Drain Man joins me to explain how old or damaged drains in residential buildings can be rehabilitated without digging, turning an otherwise major project into a simple fix and saving buildings thousands of dollars.

I'm joined by fellow strata lawyer, Allison Benson. Allison recently appeared in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal on behalf of an owners corporation seeking to enforce its cost recovery by-laws. In this chat, we discuss the Tribunal's decision, how that decision may impact future attempts by OCs to recover costs from lot owners, and the prospect of legislative reform to better protect buildings troubled by serial by-law breachers. 

In my first chat with Reena Van Aalst for 2023, we cover: - why strata managers need to be checking the ASIC register before contractors are engaged, - just how far the definition of 'cosmetic work' might (or might not) extend, - a successful storage cage swap, and - a Christmas win for an unfairly sidelined owner. 

Property owners new to strata are often surprised by the complex rules around renovation approvals. This episode is for those owners (and those guiding them). I reveal how I structure my own thinking about strata renovation work, from internal painting to air conditioning units to complete bathroom renos, and share access to some helpful resources, both for owners corporations and owners, to ensure a smoother renovation project for all.

In our first podcast episode for the year, I’m sharing the 5 most popular episodes of 2022 - in case you missed them, need a recap, or are looking for a great place to start if you’re new to our world.