The NSW
STRATA MAGAZINE JUNE 2022
Can our bylaw limit only a few lots to be used for Airbnb? Page 8 | Kerin Benson Lawyers
Our Strata Manager appointed themselves Page 20 | The Strata Collective
Special levy for window replacement: One in, all in Page 22 | Bright & Duggan
About Us LookUpStrata is Australia’s Top Property Blog Dedicated to Strata Living. The site has been providing reliable strata information to lot owners, strata managers and other strata professionals since 2013. As well as publishing legislative articles to keep their audience up to date with changes to strata, this family owned business is known for their national Q&A service that provides useful responses to lot owners and members of the strata industry. They have created a national network of leading strata specialists across Australia who assist with 100s of the LookUpStrata audiences’ queries every month. Strata information is distributed freely to their dedicated audience of readers via regular Webinars, Magazines and Newsletters. The LookUpStrata audience also has free access to The LookUpStrata Directory, showcasing 100s of strata service professionals from across Australia. To take a look at The LookUpStrata Directory, flip to end of this magazine.
Meet the team
Nikki began building LookUpStrata back in 2012 and officially launched the company early 2013. With a background in Information Management, LookUpStrata has helped Nikki realise her mission of providing detailed, practical, and easy to understand strata information to all Australians. Nikki shares her time between three companies, including Tower Body Corporate in SEQ, and is currently in her third term on the SCA (WA) Education and Professional Development Committee. More recently Nikki has become known for presenting regular strata webinars, where LookUpStrata hosts a strata expert to cover a specific topic and respond to audience questions.
Nikki Jovicic Owner / Director
Liza came on board in early 2020 to bring some structure to LookUpStrata. She has a passion for processes, growth and education. This quickly resulted in the creation of The Strata Magazine released monthly in New South Wales and Queensland, and bi-monthly in Western Australia and Victoria. As of 2021, LookUpStrata now produce 33 state based online magazines a year. Among other daily tasks, Liza is involved in scheduling and liaising with upcoming webinar presenters, sourcing responses to audience questions and assisting strata service professionals who are interested in growing their business.
Liza Jovicic Sales and Content Manager
Learn more here → https://www.lookupstrata.com.au/about-us/ You can contact us here → administration@lookupstrata.com.au
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Contents 4 Reviewing the 10 yr plan every 5 years - What does that mean? Zac Gleeson, GQS
20 Our Strata Manager appointed themselves Rod Smith, The Strata Collective
6 Wait now, pay more later. Lannock Strata Finance
8 Can our bylaw allow only a few lots to be used for Airbnb? Allison Benson, Kerin Benson Lawyers
10 Convincing lot owners of the importance of a healthy sinking fund
22 Special levy for window replacement: One in, all in. Andrew Terrell, Bright & Duggan
24 Embedded networks for solar installations Drew McKillican, Altogether Group
26 Flooding whenever it rains. Who pays for backyard drainage? Robert Fothergill, Strata Life
Tim Fuller, Strata Guardian
12 Who insures the glass? Tyrone Shandiman, Strata Insurance Solutions
14 Our OC wants everyone to look after their own lot Leanne Habib, Premium Strata
16 What is the optimal humidity level to prevent mould growth?
28 Ceiling repairs when you live on the top floor Pierrette Khoury, Khoury Lawyers
30 Water Damage: Why Prevention is Better Than Cure SCA (NSW)
32 The NSW LookUpStrata Directory
Ryan Richards, Sedgwick
18 Are block diagrams mandatory in strata buildings? Rob Broadhead, 2020 Fire Protection
Thanks to our sponsors
Reviewing the 10 yr plan every 5 years What does that mean? For 10 year capital works fund plans, the legislation is clear that an owners corporation “must review the plan at least once every 5 years.” So, what does it mean to “review” the plan? Can we just look at it on a page? The 5 year review requires a new 10 year plan (commonly a 15 year forecast) to be put in place.
Commonly, Quantity Surveyors prepare a 15 year plan or forecast to ensure the owners corporation complies with the legislation by always having a 10 year future plan in place prior to the 5 year review. The 5 year review requires the process to be undertaken again and a new 10 year plan (commonly a 15 year forecast) put in place. The most important factor being that you have always budgeted for 10 years into the future. Additionally the plan must include: 1. details of proposed work or maintenance;
There are two main points:
2. the timing and anticipated costs of any proposed work;
1. A new plan must be prepared for a 10 year period following the expiry of each prior plan.
3. the source of funding for any proposed work;
2. Each plan must be reviewed at least once every 5 years.
4. any other matter the owners corporation thinks fit.
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Zac Gleeson | GQS zac@gqs.com.au
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Wait now, pay more later. This article is brought to you by Lannock Strata Finance.
There has been a lot of discussion about record increases in the price of real estate over the last 12 months but there is a more pressing issue that strata owners need to be aware of – the rising cost of construction works. A combination of booming demand, labour shortage, material shortages and supply chain disruptions are creating the perfect storm for increased construction costs. According to CoreLogic’s Research Director Tim Lawless, the heightened construction activity and rising costs experienced across Australia won’t be going away soon and will likely cause affordability challenges for owners across the country. “The quarterly rate of growth in construction costs is happening
everywhere and is not restricted to one city or state, it’s a national trend,” he said. “This construction cost inflation could continue for another 12 to 18 months. It’s unlikely the industry can absorb a cost increase this significant into their margins and higher construction costs will ultimately be passed on to the consumer, placing further upwards pressure on the price of a new dwelling or renovation.”
“The quarterly rate of growth in construction costs is happening everywhere and is not restricted to one city or state, it’s a national trend,” Already we’ve seen just how much pressure is
being placed on the construction industry, with Probuild and Condev both going into liquidation in recent weeks. In short, costs are going up and the construction industry is buckling under the pressure. The more you delay, the more you will pay. Owners corporations who choose to delay any rectification, maintenance or uplift work on their property may be setting themselves up for a shock later on. Regarding funding of any works, the corporation always has three options: to accumulate a Maintenance Fund over time, to have a Special Levy or to Borrow (or a combination of these three methods).
It takes time to accumulate moneys in a Maintenance Fund. Special Levies should be a quick solution but will be delayed if there are owners who find the cash flow impost too large.
“In short, costs are going up and the construction
industry is buckling under the pressure. ”
As with any big decision, it’s important to be informed. If your clients are looking at rectifying defects or considering A strata loan is immediate, maintenance or renewal/ unsecured and does uplift projects over the not involve a mortgage, next few years, it will be personal financials or important to discuss with guarantees. them the implications should they choose to So, what’s the right delay the works. decision?
Do you have a strata project that is needing finance?
We can help you with the finance you need for your next strata project. Having operated for 20 years, our friendly team have the knowledge and experience to deliver the funds you require.
Can our bylaw allow only a few lots to be used for Airbnb?
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Two of the 12 lots in our building are used for Airbnb short term lets. We’d like to ban further short term letting, but continue to allow these two lots to operate in this way. Is this possible? I am an owner in a block of 12 units. Two are used as Airbnb. We would like to have a bylaw introduced to stop any future Airbnb, while still allowing the two units to continue to be used for short term letting.
Does the motion to restrict further short term letting at a General Meeting have to have 75% vote? Is it possible to impose an extra levy or additional charges for short term let lots to cover the extra costs involved such as wear and tear of common property, damage to lifts etc.
Where you restrict all but two lot owners from using their lots for short term rental accommodation arrangements, this is likely to be a breach of the requirement that any by-law must not be harsh unconscionable or oppressive. Your owners corporation can, with two major exceptions, pass a by-law to prohibit short term rental accommodation arrangements (short term letting). Like any other by-law it must be passed by a special resolution. In really simple terms if means that 75% of the unit entitlements present and eligible to vote at the meeting must vote in favour of the by-law.
How could it recoup expenses? The owners corporation could potentially resolve to provide an additional service such as security or a check in service for that lot that they could charge for but would need the lot owner’s agreement and to provide the service. The owners corporation could, with the lot owners agreement, also charge for any insurance premium increase resulting from this use. A third option is that the owners corporation may, with a suitable by-law, be able to charge an administration fee to cover its costs of issuing extra security keys for the building.
READ MORE ON THIS TOPIC HERE
Allison Benson | Kerin Benson Lawyers allison@kerinbensonlawyers.com.au
The first exception is that a by-law cannot prohibit short term rental accommodation arrangements if the person occupying the lot uses it as their principle place of residence. The second exception is that any by-law must not be harsh unconscionable or oppressive. Where you restrict all but two lot owners from using their lots for short term rental accommodation arrangements this is likely to breach this requirement. In terms of imposing an extra charge for wear and tear on the common property, that is going to be a no-no. Why? The owners corporation cannot just charge lot owners for additional fees. The owners corporation primarily raises funds through its levy contributions which are raised in accordance with unit entitlements rather than how much you use the common property.
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Convincing lot owners of the importance of a healthy sinking fund
How do you persuade a reluctant strata committee and lot owners that we need to increase levies to build a healthy sinking fund? How do you persuade a reluctant strata committee that we need to increase quarterly levies or raise a special levy to build up a very low sinking fund? What tips can you give to help the community to convince lot owners to get an unhealthy fund back to a healthy balance?
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Lower levies may be more money in your pocket right now, but is that always the case at the other end? Show them our recent video: A Healthy Sinking Fund Means Healthy Property Values. Hopefully, this will get lot owners and committees talking about what happens when things go wrong and talking about what happens if we haven’t got enough in the sinking fund and something happens.
There is always scheduled, or unscheduled, maintenance that needs to happen. If there are no funds available for these works, is everybody happy with a large one-off or what could be ongoing special levies, increases or loans to meet that necessary expenditure? The money has got to come from somewhere. If the work has to do with safety, it could be a huge priority that needs to be done with little or short notice. It may not be able to be put it off. Lower levies may be more money in your pocket right now, but is that always the case at the other end?
Tim Fuller | Strata Guardian contact@strataguardian.com
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Who insures the glass?
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I’m a commercial tenant in a strata property with street frontage. Am I required to insure the glass for breakage if it is already covered under the strata insurance? I am a tenant in a commercial property in a strata building. My office is on street level with a glass frontage. My landlord has asked me to insure the glass. Wouldn’t this be covered under the strata insurance? If there was a breakage, whose insurance would the claim be under? I feel it is pointless having the glass insured twice. Isn’t it double-dipping if I also insure the glass? My landlord insists this is in my lease and it is my responsibility.
Tyrone Shandiman | Strata Insurance Solutions tshandiman@iaa.net.au
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To avoid an issue where the tenant has an uninsured loss, landlords may from time to time require that the tenant also holds glass insurance cover. Strata insurance policies to insure fixed glass are subject to the policy excess. As a tenant does not have an insurable interest in the strata insurance policy, they are not able to make a claim on the policy. If the glass is damaged as a result of the tenants’ actions and there is a claim, the insurer will seek a recovery against the tenant, so tenants should not be under any illusion that the strata policy will cover their interests. To avoid an issue where the tenant has an uninsured loss, landlords may from time to time require that the tenant also holds glass insurance cover.
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Our OC wants everyone to look after their own lot Our strata committee wants to introduce a bylaw stating everyone needs to maintain their own building including the facade, roof and balcony. Is this a common practice for townhouses? We live in a group of 5 townhouses. Our strata committee wants to introduce a bylaw stating everyone needs to maintain their own parts of the building including the facade, roof and balcony. Their intent is to save money by not having to pay for a strata manager. Does this mean I need to take out additional insurance for areas that were the responsibility of the owners corporation? Is this a common situation? What are the advantages and disadvantages if this bylaw is introduced?
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This is not an uncommon practice for townhouses that are physically detached from one another. This is not an uncommon practice for townhouses that are physically detached from one another. It is recommended that you obtain building and other insurance if you proceed with this course but before you do also review your strata plan as surveyors often make notations on a strata plan providing that certain structures/elements are the responsibility of the individual owners (thereby displacing the usual categorisation of common property).
READ MORE ON THIS TOPIC HERE
One advantage is that you do not need to wait for the Owners Corporation to effect repairs and maintenance as and when required and you can do so yourself. On the downside, the risk is that you might jeopardise the uniformity of the appearance of the building, the consistency and quality of materials used and aesthetics (eg colour, look and feel) of the townhouses and that one or more townhouses allow their property to fall into a state of disrepair thereby potentially affecting the value of the other townhouses. You will need to engage an expert strata lawyer to address all such risks and we recommend that the Owners Corporation be given the power to compel individual owners to carry out requisite repairs & maintenance if they do not do so in a timely manner.
Leanne Habib | Premium Strata info@premiumstrata.com.au
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What is the optimal humidity level to prevent mould growth?
I have a dehumidifier. To prevent mould growth, what relative humidity level should I be trying to get down to? If you can get down to around about 45% – 50% relative humidity, that’s the ideal moisture content in the air.
Mould grows in a perfect environment. You need to reduce the relative humidity. If you can get down to around about 45% – 50% relative humidity, that’s the ideal moisture content in the air. A lot of people don’t have a device to accurately monitor the relative humidity. Restorers normally carry it, along with thermal imaging cameras.
READ MORE ON THIS TOPIC HERE
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Anything above 65% creates an environment that is able to grow mould. Don’t go too dry. If you go below 45% relative humidity, you start to get an itchy throat and it’ll dry out the air probably a little bit too much. Aim for about 45% to 50% and you shouldn’t have a problem.
Ryan Richards | Sedgwick Ryan.Richards@au.sedgwick.com
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Are block diagrams mandatory in strata buildings?
What exactly is a block diagram and are they mandatory in all strata buildings? They are mandatory where the Australian standard or building code that is applicable to your building requires a block diagram.
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Blocked diagrams are essentially a map style system showing how that particular fire system works. Generally, you’ll find them on fire detection systems, hydrogen systems, sprinkler systems and occasionally offer a warning. In terms of ‘Are they mandatory and all strata buildings?’, that question is a bit too broad. No, they’re not, but they are mandatory
where the Australian standard or building code that is applicable to your building requires a block diagram. It’s a very textual question. If you’re building says that it requires hydrosystem compliant to AS2419.1 2015 (I think it is) requires a block diagram and therefore if that’s what your annual fire safety statement says, Yes, you require one. But if it doesn’t have that code in an early one, maybe it doesn’t.
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Our Strata Manager appointed themselves
Our AGM minutes stated that as there were no nominations for the renewal of the MAA, the Managing Agent took on the role. No agreement has been signed. Is there a valid contract in place? Our Management Agreement was for 12 months expiring in mid-February 2022. In early December 2021 an AGM was held. There was no Managing Agent Agreement attached to the Agenda. Minutes of the December, 2021 stated: 1. The Managing Agent Agreement had been renewed for 3 years; 20 www.lookupstrata.com.au
2. As there were no nominations for the Strata Committee the Managing Agent took on the role. I know for certain that I and one other owner – 5 owners in total with equal entitlements – have never received a copy of the alleged renewed 3-year contract. Given these facts, i. is there a valid contract in place? ii. how was the Managing Agent legally authorised to effect the role of the Strata Committee?
I would suggest you ask for a copy of the signed agreement to be sent to you and review the agreement to make sure it has been properly signed. To enter into a strata contract, you need to have the following: 1. An ordinary resolution passed at a General Meeting Was an ordinary resolution passed at the meeting? If yes, please see 2. If no, then the agreement is invalid 2. A strata Managers Agency agreement tabled at the meeting (circulating the proposed agreement with the agenda is best practice and considered ‘normal’)
3. A signed agreement Did two owners sign the agreement? Did the strata manager sign the agreement? I would suggest you ask for a copy of the signed agreement to be sent to you and review the agreement to make sure it has been properly signed. Normally the strata manager will email you a copy of the agreement if you ask for a copy however if they won’t send it to you, you can do a search of the books and records and see it.
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Rod Smith | The Strata Collective rsmith@thestratacollective.com.au
Was the agreement tabled at the meeting? If no, the agreement is possibly invalid.
The Strata Collective. Where People Matter. The Strata Collective was formed with a simple goal – to provide a professional strata management service to clients who want a close, personal relationship with their Strata Manager. We are a next generation Strata Management business that you can count on.
Find out more about our award-winning services at thestratacollective.com.au 21
Special levy for window replacement: One in, all in.
We are replacing all windows and doors in our building. If our lot has less windows and doors, surely we should pay a lower contribution towards the special levy? There are 9 units in our complex. The building requires the replacement of all windows and door. Our unit is situated in the middle of the building and has less windows and doors than units on the edge of the building. I contacted our Strata Manager to question whether our contribution towards the work would be less than other lots, but he simply referred me to the Strata Management Act of 2015: Section 79 (1), Section 83 (2) and Section 106. I have read these and I refer to Section 83 (2) of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 where it states:
83: Levying of contributions 2. Contributions levied by an owners corporation must be levied in respect of each lot and are payable (subject to this section and Section 82) by the owners in shares proportional to the unit entitlements of their respective lots. I may be reading this wrong, but I believe that as we only have 3 windows and 1 sliding door compared to the outside units having approximately 8 windows and 1 sliding door, shouldn’t our levy be less?
One in, all in. Levies can only be struck in accordance with unit entitlement, which determines your share of ownership in common property and how much you’ll pay to maintain it. Levies can only be struck in accordance with unit entitlement, being the relative value of your lot versus all other lots within the scheme as at the date of registration. From the definitions under the Strata Schemes Management Act: “unit entitlement” of a lot in a strata scheme means the unit entitlement of the lot shown on the schedule of unit entitlement for the strata scheme.
Unit entitlements are shown on the certificate of title and the strata plan and are set at registration. Unless unit entitlement is varied for whatever reason (which is a long and difficult process which needs to be mutual consent or a tribunal/court order), owners contribute a fixed percentage for repairs in a scheme, no matter where the repairs are and whether their lot is benefitted in a particular way.
The following information can be found on The NSW Government Website: Buying a strata property
One in, all in.
The strata plan will show the unit entitlement for each lot.
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Know your unit entitlement to be sure. ‘Unit entitlement’ determines your share of ownership in common property and how much you’ll pay to maintain it. It also affects your voting power in decisions the owners corporation makes.
Andrew Terrell | Bright & Duggan Andrew.Terrell@bright-duggan.com.au
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Embedded networks for solar installations
How and when is an embedded network a good solution for a strata property wanting to install a large solar PV system for the benefit of all owners? You get the commercial benefit. It stays within the community. The reason embedded networks are so important is that it gives you the flexibility to install this type of generation and retain the benefit. The benefit is lost at the point in time it connects to the grid. Embedded networks consolidate the grid connection to the point, and then everything internally is your own private network. Having solar in an embedded network means that you can distribute that solar power within the embedded network without incurring any of the fees or charges we’ve talked about from the distributor. You can forego all of those kinds of impasse, which means you get the commercial benefit. It stays within the community. The question then of whether or not that goes directly to the owners corporation or to the residence, electricity is a lot like water. 24 www.lookupstrata.com.au
It will flow wherever its first point of demand is, so it doesn’t really matter where you install it, it’s just going to go where it’s wanted. The correct metering infrastructure will let you actually determine exactly where that power went, and then you can do some kind of financial or data administrative reconciliation behind the scenes. We do this quite often. We’ve got a large development underway in Northwest Sydney. It will have one of the largest solar arrays of any residential community in the southern hemisphere. All the solar power goes directly into the common areas and then just goes into wherever it needs to and then we work it all out financially behind the scenes. I wouldn’t be too concerned about the infrastructure side, how it’s actually installed. If it’s within an embedded network and you have a provider that has the sophistication to do those calculations and to do the administration, then you can actually have the commercial benefit of that power delivered wherever you want it to be delivered.
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Drew McKillican | Altogether Group DMcKillican@altogethergroup.com.au
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Altogether Academy is a program that will educate, empower, and support all strata managers, while covering education topics such as: • Energy fundamentals • Embedded networks • Sustainable technology such as electric vehicle charging capability • Utility data and metering • Government reform and utility regulation The program will give you the opportunity to learn from some of the energy industry’s most experienced voices, learn soft skills and take part in networking opportunities. Take control of your career, embrace Altogether Academy and talk to a Senior Energy Consultant today.
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Flooding whenever it rains. Who pays for backyard drainage? Our backyard gets badly flooded whenever it rains. The water comes from a neighbouring property, not from within our complex. We need drainage along the fence line and maybe a pit somewhere else in the yard. Is this my cost or would the owners corporation be responsible? The responsibility on installing additional drainage in your backyard will depend on who is responsible for the ‘air space.
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The responsibility on installing additional drainage in your backyard will depend on who is responsible for the ‘air space’, be it the owner or the Owners Corporation . This will depend upon what is specified on the registered strata plan for your particular scheme. Because a strata plan is a 2 dimensional diagram trying to define 3 dimensional details, strata plans are often written with notations on the plan. Below are examples of common notations that describe the area of the lot and the items contained within the lot. Each plan will be different and needs to be read carefully so that you can understand how your lot space’ is defined vs ‘common property space’.
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Robert Fothergill | Strata Life Robert@thestratalife.com.au
Ceiling repairs when you live on the top floor
I own a top floor unit. My ceiling has been damaged by water ingress due to a leaking roof. Who is responsible for the cost of repairing the ceiling? The usual position is the Owners Corporation responsible for maintaining and repairing the common property. The roof is common property. However, at times an owner may have an exclusive special by-law in place which may include the roof. I am unaware if you have this. I would review the by-laws first to ensure there are no special bylaws in place. Otherwise, the usual position is the Owners Corporation responsible for maintaining and repairing the common property. That duty is set out in section 106 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015“An owners corporation for a strata scheme must properly maintain and keep in a state of good and serviceable repair the common property and any personal property vested in the owners corporation.”
However, the above is qualified if the Owners Corporation has determined by special resolution that: a. i t is inappropriate to maintain, renew, replace or repair the property, and b. its decision will not affect the safety of any building, structure or common property in the strata scheme or detract from the appearance of any property in the strata scheme. If this has happened, section 106 will not apply. Further in the event an Owners Corporation has taken action against a builder or developer, it may defer complying with its duty to maintain in a good and serviceable repair the common property until the completion of the action against the other party if the failure to carry out the repair does not affect the safety of the building, structure or common property in the strata scheme. I would recommend at first instance notifying your strata manager who will then likely arrange an inspection with a consultant to determine what steps will be required to remediate the leak.
READ MORE ON THIS TOPIC HERE 28 www.lookupstrata.com.au
Pierrette Khoury | Khoury Lawyers pierrette@khourylawyers.com.au
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WATER DAMAGE: WHY PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE Hearing drips and drops on rooftops might be soothing for some. However for strata managers, the sound of rain is often accompanied by leaking apartments, flooded basements, frustrated residents, overworked plumbers, and a raft of claims, with water damage being the most common cause of insurance claims in Australia. While a widespread issue, determining the cause of strata property water damage isn’t always easy, water pipes, air conditioning, and hidden ventilation systems under the floor or in cavity walls or roof spaces can contribute to unforeseen water ingress issues. Predictions show that the La Nina weather system will continue throughout the winter months, with forecasts of heavy rain expected across large swathes of Australia’s east coast. Strata buildings must implement preventative measures such as clearing gutters and downpipes, removing refuge from stormwater drains, regularly servicing drainage pit pumps, and ensuring balcony drainage is free running.
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While many gradual water damage-related claims can be avoided entirely with a good preventative maintenance program, it’s still vitally important for strata managers to know what type of water damage is covered by strata insurance. Once an incident has been reported, a claim should be made on behalf of the owner’s corporation. Strata Managers should obtain all the relevant information to report to the insurer, which will assist in efficiently processing the claim. Prevention is always better than cure. There are important signs to look out for around the building, including mould or dampness on the ceilings and the walls, dripping taps or rusty pipes, or flickering lights where water might have invaded the fittings and fixtures. To minimise claims, strata buildings must have an effective maintenance and prevention regime. The owner’s corporation, building manager, and committee members can help to ensure that regular inspections of the whole strata scheme are conducted.
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ANTENNAS Install My Antenna
Professional TV Antenna Service For You Today P: 1300 800 123 W: https://www.installmyantenna.com.au/ E: info@installmyantenna.com.au
EDUCATION & TRAINING LookUpStrata
Australia’s Strata Title Information Site W: https://www.lookupstrata.com.au/ E: administration@lookupstrata.com.au
Your Strata Property
Demystifying the legal complexities of apartment living
W: https://www.yourstrataproperty.com.au/ E: amanda@yourstrataproperty.com.au
Strata Community Association P: 02 9492 8200 W: https://www.strata.community/ E: admin@stratacommunity
INVESTMENT SERVICES Strata Guardian
Fight low returns and rising levies with us. P: 1300 482 736 W: https://www.strataguardian.com/ E: contact@strataguardian.com
SOFTWARE Mimor
Connecting People – Creating Communities P: 0414 228 644 W: https://www.mimor.com.au/ E: info@mimor.com.au
Stratabox
Customer Service Software for Strata P: 1300 651 506 W: https://stratabox.com.au/ E: contact@stratabox.com.au
ResVu PTY LTD
Building Confidence P: 08 7477 8991 W: https://resvu.com.au/ E: enquiries@resvu.com.au
StrataMax
Streamlining strata P: 1800 656 368 W: https://www.stratamax.com/ E: info@stratamax.com
MYBOS
Building Management - Residential & FM Schemes P: 1300 912 386 W: https://www.mybos.com.au/ E: sam@mybos.com.au
Strata Vault
Securely share documents with third parties P: 1300 0 VAULT (82858) W: https://www.stratavaults.com/ E: julie@thestratavault.com
Urbanise
Automate your workload to increase efficiency. P: 1300 832 852 W: https://www.urbanise.com/ E: marketing@urbanise.com
ACCOUNTANTS Tinworth & Co
Chartered Accountant & Strata Auditors P: 0499 025 069 W: https://www.tinworthaccountants.com.au/ E: caren.chen@tinworth.com
FACILITY MANAGEMENT LUNA
Building and Facilities Manager P: 1800 00 LUNA (5862) W: https://www.luna.management/ E: info@luna.management
First Facility Management Pty Ltd Putting You First P: 042083404 W: https://firstfm.net.au/ E: admin@firstfm.net.au
Noble Management Group
We offer premium services in Facilities Management
P: 1300 242 083 W: https://www.noblemg.com.au/ E: grepice@noblemg.com.au
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BUILDING ENGINEERS & INSPECTORS Auric Projects
Managing clients’ property projects professionally P: 02 9918 2200 W: https://auricprojects.com.au/ E: info@auricprojects.com.au
Sedgwick
Building Consultancy Division & Repair Solutions W: https://www.sedgwick.com/solutions/global/au E: info@au.sedgwick.com
Leary & Partners
Quantity surveying services since 1977 P: 1800 808 991 W: https://www.leary.com.au/ E: enquiries@leary.com.au
Mabi Services
Valuations, Maintenance Plans, Asbestos P: 1300 762 295 W: https://www.mabi.com.au/ E: info@mabi.com.au
HFM Asset Management Pty Ltd Building Efficiency P: 1300 021 420 W: https://www.hfmassets.com.au/ E: info@hfmassets.com.au
Quality Building Management
keeping your buildings legally compliant and safe P: 1300 880 466 W: https://qbm.com.au/ E: qbm@qbm.com.au
Voltin
10,000 safer cities P: 1800865846 W: https://www.voltin.com.au/ E: accounts@voltin.com.au
Roscon
Property services & facilities management P: 1800 767 266 W: https://www.roscon.com.au/ E: info@roscon.com
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Core Project Consulting
Independent Expertise. We’ve got you covered! P: 02 8961 3250 W: https://core.engineering/ E: admin@core.engineering
Seymour Consultants
Body Corporate Report Specialists W: https://www.seymourconsultants.com.au/ E: info@seymourconsultants.com.au
Forte Asset Services
Operational Excellence in Every Building P: 1300 920 752 W: https://www.forteassetservices.com.au/ E: info@forteas.com.au
Independent Inspections
Sinking Fund Forecast, Insurance Valuations, OHS P: 1300 857 149 W: http://www.iigi.com.au/ E: admin@iigi.com.au
QIA Group
Comapliance Made Easy P: 1300 309 201 W: https://www.qiagroup.com.au/ E: info@qiagroup.com.au
Budget Vals
Built For Strata P: 1300 148 150 W: https://www.budgetvals.com.au/ E: reports@budgetvals.com.au
Solutions in Engineering
Quality Reports On Time, Every Time! P: 1300 136 036 W: https://www.solutionsinengineering.com/ E: enquiry@solutionsinengineering.com
Landlay Consulting Group
A Strata Remedial Consultancy P: 02 8095 8556 W: https://www.landlay.com.au/ E: admin@landlay.com.au
GQS
Quantity Surveyors & Building Consultants P: 1300290235 W: https://gqs.com.au/ E: info@gqs.com.au
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INSURANCE Strata Insurance Solutions
Protecting owner assets is who we are P: 1300 554 165 W: https://www.stratainsurancesolutions.com.au/ E: info@stratainsurancesolutions.com.au
Whitbread Insurance Brokers Empower Your Vision P: 1300 424 627 W: https://www.whitbread.com.au/ E: info@whitbread.com.au
QUS Pty Ltd
Strata Insurance Underwriting Agency P: 1300 814 011 W: https://www.qus.com.au/ E: qus@qus.com.au
CHU Underwriting Agencies Pty Ltd
Specialist Strata Insurance Underwriting Agency P: 1800 022 444 W: https://www.chu.com.au/ E: info_nsw@chu.com.au
Strata Community Insurance
Protection for your strata property. And you. P: 1300 724 678 W: https://www.stratacommunityinsure.com.au E: myenquiry@scinsure.com.au
Flex Insurance
Your Cover Your Choice P: 1300 201 021 W: https://www.flexinsurance.com.au/ E: info@flexinsurance.com.au
ROOFING Apt Roofing Pty Ltd
Everything Roofing! P: 02 9666 7373 W: https://www.aptroofing.com.au/ E: admin@aptroofing.com.au
STRATA LAWYERS Holman Webb Lawyers
Body Corporate and Strata Dispute Experts P: 61 732 350 100 W: https://www.holmanwebb.com.au/ E: contact@holmanwebb.com.au
Kerin Benson Lawyers Pty Ltd
Specialised Legal Advice for Strata P: 02 8706 7060 W: https://kerinbensonlawyers.com.au/ E: enquiries@kerinbensonlawyers.com.au
Bannermans Lawyers
High Quality Specialist Legal Services P: 02 9929 0226 W: https://www.bannermans.com.au/ E: enquiries@bannermans.com.au
Grace Lawyers
Know. Act. Resolve. P: 02 9284 2700 W: https://gracelawyers.com.au/ E: enquiries@gracelawyers.com.au
Speirs Ryan
Client focused, boutique property law firm P: 02 9248 3400 W: https://www.speirsryan.com.au/ E: ssaw@speirsryan.com.au
Watson & Watson Lawyers
“when experience matters”….. P: 02 9221 6011 W: https://www.watsonandwatson.com.au/ E: richard@watsonandwatson.com.au
RC & CO Lawyers
Effective, resource, clear. P: 1300 072 626 W: https://www.rccolawyers.com/ E: assistant@rccolawyers.com
Bugden Allen Graham Lawyers
Specialising in property development & strata law P: 02 9199 1055 W: http://www.bugdenallenlawyers.com.au/ E: info@bugdenallenlawyers.com.au
JS Mueller & Co Lawyers
Specialist ‘Plain English’ NSW Strata Lawyers P: 02 9562 1266 W: https://www.muellers.com.au/ E: enquiries@muellers.com.au
Khoury Lawyers Pty Ltd
Khoury Lawyers Client focused, Results Driven P: 0415 459 486 W: https://khourylawyers.com.au/ E: pierrette@khourylawyers.com.au
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STRATA MANAGEMENT Premium Strata
Diamond-Class strata management agency P: 02 9281 6440 W: https://www.premiumstrata.com.au/ E: info@premiumstrata.com.au
Bridge Strata P/L
The bridge between you and your corporation P: 02 6109 7700 W: https://bridgestrata.com.au/wp/ E: jan@bridgestrata.com.au
STRATA REPORTS
Vital Strata
EYEON Property Inspections
Sky Living Strata
BIV Reports
Bright & Duggan
Covid19 Plans
Strata Made Simple P: 02 9008 1112 W: https://www.vitalstrata.com.au/ E: hello@vitalstrata.com.au Providing a superior customer experience P: 02 9299 1100 W: https://www.skylivingstrata.com.au/ E: enquiries@skylivingstrata.com.au Strata Professionals P: 0299027100 W: https://bright-duggan.com.au/ E: customercare@bright-duggan.com.au
Civium Communities
When you build trust, you build a community P: 1300 724 256 W: https://civium.com.au/ E: clientservices@civium.com.au
Norwest Strata Management
Efficient & Effective Strata Management Solutions P: 02 9086 9123 W: https://www.norweststrata.com.au/ E: mail@norweststrata.com.au
The Strata Collective
A next generation strata manager. People matter. P: 02 9879 3547 W: https://www.thestratacollective.com.au/ E: rsmith@thestratacollective.com.au
Strata Central
Boutique Strata Management Services W: https://stratacentral.com.au/ E: enquiries@stratacentral.com.au
Townhouse Strata PTY Ltd
Strata Management with a Difference P: 02 4971 0363 W: https://www.townhousestrata.com.au/ E: alan@townhousestrata.com.au
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Buy and Sell with More Confidence P: 1300 798 274 W: https://www.eyeon.com.au/ E: info@eyeon.com.au Specialist in Strata Compliance Reports P: 1300 107 280 W: https://www.biv.com.au/ E: biv@biv.com.au Covid19 Safety Plans for Strata P: 1300 828 344 W: https://covid19plans.com.au/ E: plans@covidplans.com.au
STRATA LOAN PROFESSIONALS StrataLoans
The Experts in Strata Finance P: 1300 785 045 W: https://www.strata-loans.com/ E: info@strata-loans.com
Lannock Strata Finance
The Leading Strata Finance Specialist P: 1800 843 372 W: https://lannock.com.au/ E: strata@lannock.com.au
SAFETY & SECURITY QUATRIX PTY LTD
Intercoms, Access Control, CCTV, Data Installation P: 1300 659 939 W: https://www.quatrix.com.au/ E: info@quatrix.com.au
Lock, Stock & Barrel Locksmiths Pty Ltd No matter what time of the day, we’re here P: 0411 700 072 W: https://www.lsblocksmiths.com.au/ E: info@lsblocksmiths.com.au
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CLOTHESLINES Lifestyle Clotheslines
Clothesline and washing line supplier & installer P: 1300 798 779 W: https://www.lifestyleclotheslines.com.au/ E: admin@lifestyleclotheslines.com.au
DEFECT RESTORATION Klaar
The Strata Building Specialists P: 02 8003 4547 W: https://klaar.com.au/ E: build@klaar.com.au
MJ Engineering Projects
Remedial Consultant Engineers P: 1300 571 991 W: https://mjengineeringprojects.com.au/ E: info@mjengineeringprojects.com.au
ELECTRICAL Altogether Group
Power.Water.Data P: 1300 803 803 W: https://altogethergroup.com.au/ E: eaustin@altogethergroup.com.au
Energy On Pty Ltd
Providing utility network solutions P: 1300 323 263 W: https://www.energyon.com.au/ E: EnergyServices@EnergyOn.com.au
ENM Solutions
Providing Solutions for Embedded Networks P: 03 9836 6366 W: https://www.enmsolutions.com.au/ E: info@ENMSolutions.com.au
McIntosh Electrical Pty Ltd
Powered by Trust P: 1300 627 727 W: https://www.mcintoshelectrical.com.au/ E: jenny@mcintoshelectrical.com.au
INTERNET & TELECOMMUNICATIONS Spirit Technology Solutions Do IT with Spirit P: 1800 774 748 W: https://www.spirit.com.au/ E: developers@spirit.com.au
FIRE SERVICES 2020 Fire Protection
Experts in Fire Protection for Strata P: 1300 340 210 W: https://www.2020fireprotection.com.au/ E: service@2020fire.com.au
Fire Safety Constructions
Compliant Specialist since 1999 P: 02 9945 3499 W: https://www.firesafetyconstructions.com.au/ E: info@firesafetyconstructions.com.au
Linkfire Pty Ltd
Your Essential Safety Partner P: 1300 669 439 W: http://www.linkfire.com.au/ E: sales@linkfire.com.au
Betta Fire Protection
Compliance you can trust P: 02 8669 9108 W: https://bettafireprotection.com.au/ E: info@bettafireprotection.com.au
PAINTING 3 Colours Painting Services P: 1300 883 635 W: https://3colours.com.au/ E: 3colours@3colours.com.au
Calibre Coatings
Delivering Excellence in Painting Services P: 08 9331 5553 W: https://www.calibrecoatings.com.au/ E: wa@calibrecoatings.com.au
Higgins Coatings Pty Ltd
Specialist painters in the strata industry P: 1300 HIGGINS W: https://www.higgins.com.au/ E: info@higgins.com.au
Dulux Property Services
Total Building Maintenance & Remedial Solutions P: 0434 834 799 W: https://www.duluxconstructionsolutions.com.au/ E: propertyservice@dulux.com.au
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PLUMBING Sydney Central Pumps
WINDOWS & DOORS Windowline Pty Ltd
Fixing Pump Problems within for 20+ years P: 1300 558 059 W: https://www.scpumps.com.au/ E: service@scpumps.com.au
Australia’s strata replacement window & door specialists
Stormwater Sydney
The Window Guy
Inspection, Repair and Maintenance of drainage assets
P: 1300 741 003 W: https://stormwatersydney.com/ E: admin@stormwatersydney.com
HYDRAULICA Pty Ltd
Specialise in Drain & Pipe Cleaning W: https://www.hydraulica.com.au/ E: darren@hydraulica.com.au
Don’t choose any guy, choose The Window Guy! P: 1300 663 664 W: https://www.thewindowguy.com.au/ E: info@thewindowguy.com.au
Select Window Installations
Windows & door replacement specialists P: 02 9938 1500 W: https://www.selectwindows.com.au/ E: sales@selectwindows.com.au
SUSTAINABILITY & ENERGY
The Drain Man
Blocked Drain? The Drain Man can help P: 1800 843 372 W: https://www.thedrainman.com.au/ E: enquiries@thedrainman.com.au
FRANCHISERS Network Pacific Strata Franchise
Join our successful team P: 03 9999 5488 W: www.networkpacificstratafranchise.com.au/ E: networkpacific@franchisedevelopments.com.au
WATERPROOFING Superseal Protective Coatings (SPC) Waterproofing & Epoxy Specialists P: 02 9774 1004 W: https://www.spcau.com/ E: info@spcau.com
Danrae Group
Remedial Waterproofing & Building Specialists P: 1800 326 723 W: https://www.danraegroup.com.au/ E: enquiries@danrae.com.au
The Superseal Group
Trusted Experts in all aspects of Waterproofing P: 07 5519 4916 W: https://supersealgroup.com/ E: admin@supersealgroup.com
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P: 02 8304 6400 W: https://windowline.com.au/ E: info@windowline.com.au
The Green Guys Group
Australia’s Leading Energy Saving Partner P: 1300 511 875 W: https://greenguys.com.au/ E: sean@greenguys.com.au
Humenergy
People, innovation and value sharing P: 1300 322 622 W: https://www.humenergy.com.au/ E: Info@humenergy.com.au
Arena Energy Consulting Pty Ltd
Independent Embedded Network Consulting Services P: 0452 411 247 W: https://www.arenaenergyconsulting.com.au/ E: joseph@arenaenergyconsulting.com.au
LIFTS & ELEVATORS Innovative Lift Consulting Pty Ltd
Australia’s Vertical Transportation Consultants P: 0417 784 245 W: https://www.ilcpl.com.au/ E: bfulcher@ilcpl.com.au
CLEANING Ai Odour Control Systems
Actualise your facilities’ potential P: 1300 728 760 W: https://www.aiodourcontrolsystems.com.au/ E: info@aiodourcontrolsystems.com.au
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DELIVERY & COLLECTION SERVICES Groundfloor™
Australian parcel, mail, and refrigerated lockers P: 0399824462 W: https://groundfloordelivery.com/ E: ask@groundfloordelivery.com
PROJECT MANAGEMENT Valen Project Services
Client-Side Project Management Specialists P: 02 8542 4293 W: https://valenprojects.com.au/ E: enquiries@valenprojects.com.au
CONSULTING Strata Solve
Untangling strata problems P: 0419 805 898 W: https://stratasolve.com.au/ E: chris@stratasolve.com.au
RECRUITMENT SERVICES sharonbennie – Property Recruitment
Matching top talent with incredible businesses P: 0413 381 381 W: https://www.sharonbennie.com.au/ E: sb@sharonbennie.com.au
MARKETING Marketing for Strata
Building Brand Authority & Thought Leadership P: 61 425 232 394 W: https://www.marketingforbusiness.com.au/ E: janette@marketingforbusiness.com.au
Ki Creative Design
Purposeful Design Solutions P: 0451 541 006 E: kiara.mcilroy@gmail.com
Would you like your Strata Story featured in the next edition of The NSW Strata Magazine? We want to share your strata stories with the LookUpStrata community. Some examples of what you may wish to share: • A project you have implemented in your complex that has made a positive impact (e.g a process, community building activities, parking procedure, ect) • Do you have a funny story to share about strata living? • Have you received a response back from one of the LookUpStrata professionals that has positively impacted you or your complex? • Have you made a change to improve sustainability?
If you would like to share your strata scheme story with the LookUpStrata community, Please send your story and photos to: administration@lookupstrata.com.au Disclaimer: If you send your strata story to
administration@lookupstrata.com.au,
you are agreeing to have your story published on the LookUpStrata platform or via social media. We must have written permission from each individual shown in the photo. Submissions may be refused for any reason.
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