The NSW Strata Magazine | July 2023

The NSW

STRATA MAGAZINE JULY 2023

Dangers of underinsuring a strata building Page 18 | Strata Insurance Solutions

From a records management perspective, what does a well run building look like?

Page 22 | EYEON Property Inspections

Pets are allowed, just no dogs or cats Page 30 | Kerin Benson Lawyers

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 the 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, a body corporate company in SEQ. Nikki is also 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 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 Disclaimer: The information contained in this magazine, including the response to submitted questions, is not legal advice and should not be relied upon as legal advice. You should seek independent advice before acting on the information contained in this magazine.

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Contents 4 Requirements to store electronic ballot papers securely Shane Williamson, Williamson Lawyers Pty Ltd

6 Can lot owners insure against potential damage claims?

Tyrone Shandiman, Strata Insurance Solutions

8 Do we wait for the special levy money before fixing water ingress?

Shane Williamson, Williamson Lawyers Pty Ltd

10 How do we deal with offensive noises from industrial fans?

Leanne Habib, Premium Strata

12 Is compliance with the Building Code of Australia retrospective?

22 From a records management perspective, what does a well run building look like?

Michael Ferrier, EYEON Property Inspections

24 Ensure the owner of a neglected lot pays their proportion of costs Matthew Jenkins, Bannermans Lawyers

26 A Property Valuer’s Opinion on the Housing Crisis in 2023!

Asset Strata Valuers

28 Can you deliver the proxy form on the night of the AGM? Rod Smith, The Strata Collective

30 Pets are allowed, just no dogs or cats

Michael Hopwood, Valen Projects

Allison Benson, Kerin Benson Lawyers

14 What if the “committee member” motion is defeated at the AGM?

32 Reforms to fire safety regulations.

What do you need to know?

Leanne Habib, Premium Strata

Heath Newell, Chief AFSS Services

16 Maintaining Common Property – What needs to be done?

34 Water damage claims due to owner’s negligence

QIA

Tyrone Shandiman, Strata Insurance Solutions

18 Dangers of underinsuring a strata building

36 Sustainability infrastructure improving strata schemes liveability

Tyrone Shandiman, Strata Insurance Solutions

20

Strata’s new age of due diligence

Strata Community association (NSW)

40

The NSW LookUpStrata Directory

Paynter Dixon

Thanks to our sponsors

Requirements to store electronic ballot papers securely

If the secretary neglects to store the electronic ballot papers securely, does this deem the vote invalid?

However, the Tribunal may refuse to make an order under this section if it considers the matters complained of did not adversely affect any person and would not have resulted in a failure to pass a resolution.

The secretary of our owners corporation breached section 15(7) of the Strata Schemes Management Regulation 2016. Does this compromise the voting process? Should the vote go ahead or be deemed invalid?

Section 25 provides that the Tribunal may make an order that a resolution passed at a general meeting be treated as a nullity. However, to make such an order, the Tribunal must be satisfied the resolution would not have been passed due to you, and potentially other owners, being improperly denied a vote on the motion.

15 Pre-meeting electronic voting 1. The secretary of the owners corporation must ensure that all electronic ballot papers are stored securely until the counting of the votes begins.

In these circumstances, sections 24 and 25 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 may be the best starting point.

Based upon the information provided, I assume there was a motion to be determined partially by pre-meeting electronic voting and partially at a general meeting. I assume the secretary lost the pre-meeting electronic votes, and consequently, motions were determined based on only the votes passed at the meeting.

In these circumstances, sections 24 and 25 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 may be the best starting point.

Section 24 provides that the Tribunal may make an order invalidating a resolution if the Tribunal considers the provisions of the Act and/or the Regulations have not been complied with.

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Under section 25, there is a requirement to make an application for mediation or make an application to the Tribunal within 28 days after the meeting date. If it has been longer than 28 days since the meeting date, it would be best to obtain legal advice in relation to your rights available to challenge the determination of the motions.

My response above is not a complete answer as it is based upon assumptions and does not cover all of the relevant provisions in the Act and Regulations. If the consequences are serious, or if you feel the issue must be resolved, you should obtain legal advice from a legal practitioner specialising in strata law.

To obtain legal advice, you will need to provide more information, including a chronology of the events as they occurred, copies of premeeting electronic voting forms, details of what occurred at the general meeting, the numbers who voted for and against, etc.

Shane Williamson | Williamson Lawyers Pty Ltd shane@williamsonlawyers.com.au READ MORE HERE

When you finance your strata project with Lannock, you are dealing with the industry experts.

Having operated for nearly 20 years, our friendly team have the knowledge and experience to deliver the funds you require.

We finance capital works for owner corporations and body corporates around Australia including repairs, renovations, cladding rectification, defect rectification, strata asset renewal, professional services, litigation and re-development.

Can lot owners insure against potential damage claims?

While the by-law indemnifies the owners corporation for future damage, it may not necessarily prevent the lot owner from making a claim on the strata insurance policy for the damage caused by the solar panels.

The lot owner’s contents or landlord’s insurance should ideally include coverage for third-party liability. An indemnity does not require an insurance policy in place, notwithstanding the owner may have recourse on their contents/ landlords (public liability section) or the strata insurance (property cover) for damage to the building associated with the solar panels.

If the solar panels cause damage to the property, this insurance coverage can provide a potential avenue for addressing any related claims.

However, it’s important to note that the contents or landlord’s policy might contain exclusions for contractual liability.

Contractual liability exclusions typically apply when you agree to be liable for something solely due to an agreement or contract you have entered into. Therefore, it is crucial to review the policy’s exclusions to determine if any contractual liability exclusion may impact coverage.

The owners corporation has permitted us to install solar panels on the roof. The by-law holds us accountable for any future damage caused by the panels. Do we need insurance to safeguard us against potential claims?

We recently received approval to install solar panels on the roof. The by-law includes a condition that indemnifies the owners corporation for any future damage caused by the solar panels.

Does indemnifying the owners corporation mean there would need to be insurance? Do I need to take out insurance to protect me against future claims?

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It’s worth noting that while the by-law indemnifies the owners corporation for future damage, it may not necessarily prevent the lot owner from making a claim on the strata insurance policy for the damage caused by the solar panels.

As the owner is an insured party under the policy, and the policy covers the building, the owner has the right to file a claim for the damages under the strata policy.

Consequently, despite indemnifying the owners corporation for any damage caused, the lot owner may still have the option to seek compensation through the strata insurance policy.

Tyrone Shandiman | Strata Insurance Solutions tshandiman@iaa.net.au READ MORE HERE

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With imminent legislation changes on the way, we’re also well positioned to help Strata Managers and Body Corporates navigate their way through the new obligations and rights.

That’s why we’re here to help with the Altogether Academy.

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Do we wait for the special levy money before fixing water ingress?

After experiencing multiple water ingress issues since 2018, my unit is deteriorating with dampness and mould. We need to raise a special levy before work can begin. How long should this take?

I have had two water ingress issues since 2018. The property has deteriorated, along with my health, due to the resulting mould and dampness. We need to raise a special levy before we begin repairs.

Do we need to wait for the vote for the special levy at the AGM, or can owners be emailed and a vote taken immediately? Once agreed, how long do owners have to pay the special levy?

Can the funds come from the cash reserves and be topped by the special levy once everyone has paid?

You should not be exposed to health issues due to water ingress, mould and dampness.

Water ingress into your unit resulting in mould and dampness is an issue that should not continue for five or so years. Someone will be responsible for rectifying the water ingress. If the cause of the water ingress arises due to an issue 8 www.lookupstrata.com.au

in the common property, the owners corporation is most likely responsible. Pursuant to section 106 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015, the owners corporation has a strict duty to maintain and keep the common property in a state of good and serviceable repair.

For the purposes of answering your questions, I assume the water ingress is occurring due to the owners corporation failing to maintain or repair the common property. I assume the owners corporation is responsible. You should, however, ensure the cause of the water ingress has been properly identified and considered in the context of the registered by-laws and any unauthorised work.

The owners corporation should have a capital works fund which ordinarily should cover the cost to maintain and repair the common property.

If a special levy needs to be raised to carry out the repairs, delaying the special levy is not an excuse for delaying the rectification work required to resolve the water ingress.

A special levy needs to be raised at a general meeting. You do not need to wait for the Annual General Meeting. The special levy may be raised at an Extraordinary General Meeting. Section 19 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 states that “The secretary or a strata committee of an owners corporation may convene a general meeting (that is not an annual general meeting) of the owners corporation at any time.”

In relation to when a special levy is to be paid, this is to be decided at the general meeting. After the general meeting, levy notices need to be issued to all the owners, and the owners must be given at least 30 days’ notice before the levy is due and payable. This is a requirement of section 83 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015.

Regarding your question about whether payment may be made from cash reserves, the owners corporation has two “reserves”, referred to as “funds”. There is an administrative fund and a capital works fund. If sufficient amounts are available in either of these funds, the owners corporation should use these funds to resolve the water ingress and then replenish the funds soon afterwards. If it does not have sufficient funds, it should raise the funds required. Section 81 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 provides that: “If the owners corporation is subsequently faced with other expenses it cannot at once meet from either fund, it must levy on each owner of a lot in the strata scheme a contribution to the administrative fund or capital works fund, determined at a general meeting of the owners corporation, in order to meet the expenses.”

As a general answer to your questions, you should not be exposed to health issues due to water ingress, mould and dampness. There are numerous provisions in the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 that you may utilise to resolve the issue. I have referenced a few of the sections above to assist you in discussing the matter with your strata manager or the strata committee. I have not covered all of the legal avenues available to you. There are other sections in the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 you can use if the circumstances require. You should obtain legal advice from a legal practitioner who specialises in strata law, as these issues can be complex, and disputes do arise.

Shane Williamson | Williamson Lawyers Pty Ltd shane@williamsonlawyers.com.au READ MORE HERE

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How do we deal with offensive noises from industrial fans?

Can we serve a by-law breach for offensive, non-compliant noise from an industrial fan?

Don’t just rely on the by-law enforcement, but also on other authority enforcement.

You would enforce a breach of a by-law about noise and any other by-law you could include.

Remember, when there’s a breach, sometimes you can include one or two by-laws on the notice, and then you can get a penalty per bylaw rather than just one.

Also, look at engaging other authorities, such as councils. Find out where compliance isn’t met, and have other authorities step in to give you more weight and power.

Don’t just rely on the by-law enforcement, but also on other authority enforcement.

Leanne Habib | Premium Strata info@premiumstrata.com.au READ MORE HERE

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Is compliance with the Building Code of Australia retrospective?

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An owner in our old apartment block wants to replace their glass sliding door. The balcony does not comply with current regulations. Is compliance with the Building Code of Australia retrospective?

Our block of 36 units was built c1960. An owner wishes to replace their glass balcony door. The balcony door currently does not have a hob. To meet current regulations, we need to install a hob. The work will require waterproofing the entire balcony, at approx $20,000. If the owner replaces the door, does a hob have to be installed? Is compliance with the Building Code of Australia retrospective?

the balcony balustrade is that the existing balcony door may be required to be removed and replaced, a new compliant hob installed under the balcony door (assuming there isn’t one currently), a new compliant waterproofing system installed to the entire balcony and finally new floor finishes to complete the works.

All proposed upgrade works, both voluntary and mandatory, require Design Declarations and Regulated Design in accordance with the Design & Building Practitioners Act 2020, with the exemption of a limited list of exempt works as defined under the Act. Michael Hopwood | Valen Projects m.hopwood@valenprojects.com.au READ MORE HERE

Building elements that do not meet current standards are not required to be removed and replaced if they have not failed or are not subject to mandatory upgrades.

If an existing building element that does not meet the current NCC/BCA standards has not failed and it’s not the subject of a mandatory upgrade (example: Council Development Control Order of Fire Order), then the building element is not required to be removed and replaced. It can be retained in its current form which may not meet the current NCC/BCA standards.

If, however, an existing building element has failed and/or is proposed to be voluntarily upgraded, those upgrades are required to be completed in accordance with the current NCC/BCA standards. Additionally, if secondary building elements are affected by the upgrade of the primary building element, those elements also need to be upgraded in accordance with the current NCC/BCA standards.

An example of this is a balcony balustrade upgrade which intersects with a balcony waterproofing system that terminates under a balcony door. The result of upgrading

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What if the “committee member” motion is defeated at the AGM?

If the “committee member” motion is defeated at the AGM, are we left without a strata committee?

The motion on the AGM regarding “committee members” outlines the current committee members and numbers.

a. i f the person was eligible to be a member at the time of election and the person ceases to be so eligible (other than because the person is an unfinancial owner), or b. if the person was not an owner at the time of election or was a company nominee and the individual who nominated the person for election or the corporation for which the person is a company nominee ceases to be an owner or gives written notice to the owners corporation that the person’s office is vacated, or c. o n the receipt by the owners corporation from the person of notice in writing of the person’s resignation as a member, or

If this motion is DEFEATED at the next AGM, will the owners corporation be left without a strata committee?

d. at the end of the next meeting at which a new strata committee is elected by the owners corporation, or

Would the owners corporation then be required to call for nominations and hold an election?

e. i f the owners corporation, in accordance with a special resolution, determines that the person’s office as a member is vacated, or

What is the process, and can it be done at an EGM? Can an election be held via paper or electronic vote? And if so, what time period would this need to occur in?

No, because if the motion fails at the AGM, you could call for nominations and hold a general meeting to appoint a new committee.

Technically, the current committee members hold office, and those positions are not vacated until the next meeting at which the owners corporation elects a new strata committee – see Section 35 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW) extracted below (our emphasis added): 35 Vacation of office of elected member of strata committee 1. An elected member of a strata committee vacates office as a member— 14 www.lookupstrata.com.au

f. i f the person dies.

2. A strata committee may appoint a person eligible for election as a member to fill a vacancy in the office of a member of the strata committee, other than a vacancy arising under subsection (1) (d) or a vacancy in the office of an officer of the owners corporation. Any person so appointed holds office, subject to this section, for the balance of his or her predecessor’s term of office.

If the motion fails at the AGM, you could call for nominations and hold a general meeting to appoint a new committee.

For elections, a meeting held wholly by premeeting electronic paper vote is not permitted, though voting by electronic means while participating in the meeting is permitted.

Leanne Habib | Premium Strata info@premiumstrata.com.au READ MORE HERE

Maintaining Common Property – What needs to be done?

The minute a property is completed each of the elements that make it up begin to wear out. As a building ages, the Owners will be called upon to maintain it. That maintenance will come at a cost and no matter what, the cost will be met by the Owners. The good news is, Owners do have the ability manage and control their maintenance costs.

What makes up the Common Property?

Refer to your Strata Plan, walk around the Common Property and take note of the various common areas, capital items, services and facilities

How to maintain the Common Property Once identified, quantify the number or amount of the elements that make up your Common Property

When to maintain the Common Property Establish an approximate age or condition of the elements that make up the Common Property and Determine a replacement or maintenance interval

Are there any risks or consequences?

There are very real risks associated with maintaining the Common Property, or not maintaining it as the case may be. Owners, residents, or visitors can be hurt by a loose handrail, a crack in the path, a faulty safety switch. Painting becomes a lot more expensive the longer it is left, the consequence of which is higher levies.

Choices Owners can assess the Common Property themselves or contract someone else to do it. Self-assessment can be daunting and very time consuming because you don’t know what to look for or have the tools and systems to record and document what you need in a meaningful, compliant way. Contracting the work out can result in lower risk and more meaningful documentation, but it is important that Owners remain engaged in the process.

Owner Engagement When you engage a Contractor to inspect and report on your strata building, their inspection will incorporate all elements of the Common Property that are accessible and visible to them on the day of the inspection. The qualified and experienced inspector will use all available resources to catalogue the building, but the building can’t tell them when it was last painted or that the balcony in unit 3 leaks, or the gutters are about to be replaced. Engaged Owner are able to provide necessary history on the building and where willing can attend the inspection to download their knowledge to the Inspector. The additional information will give Owners the best of both worlds, a baseline level of information about their Common Property maintenance requirements, based on an onsite inspection by an experienced professional, informed by additional historical information and relevant current issues provided by the site contact.

Choose the right Contractor QIA Group has been providing compliance reports to the Strata Industry since 2005. We always attend site and understand the value of Owner engagement during the inspection process. Our experienced inspectors are local to Victoria. We take samples when we carry out an asbestos inspection, so Owners know whether they do or don’t have asbestos containing materials in their building. We offer ongoing support to Strata Companies after the report is compiled and respond to Owner feedback in a timely and substantive manner.

CONTACT US NOW FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR CHECK US OUT HERE: QIA Services

Maintenance Plans Common Property Safety Reports Building Maintenance Assessments Fire Safety Audits Fire Evacuation Training Fire Evacuation Plans & Diagrams Insurance Valuations Asbestos Inspections & Reports

COMPLIANCE REPORTS THAT ARE EASY TO UNDERSTAND

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Saving You Time & Money By simplifying the compliance process, we can help reduce the time, hassle and cost of complying with strata regulations, and by being in compliance, we can help you maximise the value of your property, save money and avoid unexpected levies.

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1300 309 201 info@qiagroup.com.au www.qiagroup.com.au QIA Group Pty Ltd ABN 27 116 106 453

Dangers of underinsuring a strata building

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What are the dangers of underinsurance? This is particularly relevant in the current climate where valuations are rapidly skyrocketing.

The danger of underinsuring is that you will have a major or total loss and not be covered.

There are a couple of dangers with underinsurance. First and foremost, by law, you must ensure your building for full replacement value in every state and territory in Australia. Failing to do so can result in fines and penalties for the owners corporation.

I’ve seen a building that didn’t get a valuation every five years and was underinsured and it was a total loss. In the event of a total loss, unfortunately, the body corporate or owners corporation has to make up the losses for

that claim. The danger of underinsuring is that you will have a major or total loss and not be covered.

Most property policies have a clause that says if your insurance value is 80 percent or below what it should be, the insurance company will only pay a portion of that claim if it’s a partial loss. With strata Insurance, because you’re required to insure for full replacement value, that clause is not part of the policy.

Tyrone Shandiman | Strata Insurance Solutions tshandiman@iaa.net.au READ MORE HERE

Design and Building Practitioners Act

Strata’s new age of due diligence On 11 June, the Design and Building Practitioners Act (DBPA) marked a threeyear anniversary. Few would argue that the legislation hasn’t reshaped compliance for construction work in the residential strata sector.

As the General Manager of Paynter Dixon’s Remedial Division, Tim Kurniadi, has closely followed the impact of new compliance requirements.

With a background in engineering and 15 years’ industry experience, Tim believes the legislation has led to a new age of diligence for all strata stakeholders.

“There is simply no room for complacency under the legislation,” says Tim, who recently spoke at a Boardroom Breakfast, hosted by Paynter Dixon for the benefit of strata clients and service providers.

“Strata managers and strata committees shouldn’t fall into the trap of relying on old advice for compliance because the goal posts have moved.”

The bar is higher The DBPA was introduced to restore consumer confidence in the residential building industry by introducing a new duty of care for those who carry out construction and remedial work in class 2 buildings – essentially multi-storey residential buildings.

NSW Fair Trading has consistently urged strata communities to engage design and building practitioners who are registered under the Design and Building Practitioner Scheme, and who can competently meet the compliance requirements. This rigorous process involves the

preparation, declaration and upload of documents to an online portal throughout the design and construction cycle.

or defect with respect to the DBPA and the detail of wording, definitions, conditions, and compliance thresholds.”

Detail in the wording

Your first priority

A comprehensive knowledge of the legislation – and the implications of specific wording – is vital to the decision process, says Tim.

His advice for strata decision makers is straight forward.

“For example, there are certain types of remedial building works which are exempt from the DBPA in relation to development control orders, emergency repairs, fire maintenance and other minor repairs.

“This area highlights the importance of professional judgement at an early stage of the process. Service providers with a strong grasp of the legislation are better placed to assess the remedial issue

“Engage professional advice and expertise from the outset.

Avoid making assumptions, as that can lead to poor and costly decisions.”

Influencing prospective buyers The demonstrable quality of remedial building work has

also become a key behavioral driver of prospective buyers.

NSW Government recently commissioned a survey1 which shows 77% of consumers support the introduction of a building compliance measure which would help inform prospective buyers when purchasing an apartment. This score would encompass a range of factors, including the traceability of certification processes and documents.

“We are moving towards a future where due diligence and compliance will directly influence the value of strata properties.”

As a multi-disciplined construction company, Paynter Dixon’s seamless ‘back of house’ coordination spans design and documentation, compliance, cost planning and contractor engagement.

To learn more, contact: Tim Kurniadi General Manager Remedial, Paynter Dixon tim.kurniadi@ paynterdixon.com.au

Strata project 1

Mccrindle, The State of Consumer Confidence, 2022

paynterdixon.com.au

From a records management perspective, what does a well run building look like?

When looking at a strata building from a records management perspective, what does a well run building look like compared to a poorly run building? What are the warning signs?

With a well run building, there is greater transparency and good communication.

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To start with, let’s talk about the well run buildings. What stands out to us when looking at the records from a well run building is greater transparency and good communication.

When we look at the AGM, we see that the strata committee includes an annual summary with the minutes. The summary tells the owners what’s happened, about any issues and what the committee’s proposals are to solve those issues.

In other words, we get good vibes.

On the other hand, we get the opposite vibes from the records when decisions are deferred or the owners corporation doesn’t want to spend money they should be spending. We get the feeling that this building will perhaps gradually fall behind.

We’re making an assessment based only on the records without actually seeing the building.

When we talk to buyers about what they’ve seen at the building, there’s often a correlation between the good and bad vibes we get from the records, and that’s a really important thing.

Michael Ferrier | Eyeon Property Inspections michael.ferrier@eyeon.com.au READ MORE HERE

Ensure the owner of a neglected lot pays their proportion of costs The strata manager has arranged work on a neglected lot and associated common property and divided the costs among owners. How do we ensure the owner of the neglected lot pays their proportion of the costs?

In our eight lot strata scheme, one rented lot is neglected and requires repairs. Our strata manager has organised an engineer and a building company for works. The repairs involve work to both lot and common property.

The lot owner’s proportion of the work outweighs the common property work.

However, the strata manager has split the total cost among all the owners based on lot entitlement. The investor lot owner will pay less, and the remaining owners will cover their costs.

The executive committee and the engineer have alerted the strata manager to the lot responsibility on the strata plan, pointing out the owner’s responsibility. Still, our strata manager has yet to do anything to amend the cost allocation. What can we do?

If the common property is not the cause of the damage to the lot, the lot owner would be responsible for repairing or maintaining their lot property.

The owners corporation should not be paying these costs.

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If the common property is in disrepair and that disrepair has caused damage to the lot, the owners corporation would be responsible for repairing and maintaining the common property and the damage caused to the lot. The owners corporation has a strict duty to repair and maintain the common property under section 106 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015. It is liable for any reasonably foreseeable loss suffered by a lot owner due to the failure to repair and maintain the common property.

Damage to a lot is a reasonably foreseeable loss.

If the common property is not the cause of the damage to the lot, the lot owner would be responsible for repairing or maintaining their own lot property. The owners corporation should not be paying these costs.

You should note that the strata managing agent is an agent of the owners corporation and does not necessarily make decisions of the owners corporation but carries out the decisions of the owners corporation and strata committee.

It is sometimes difficult to determine what is lot and common property. Some items, such as ceilings and waterproofing and tiles on bathroom floors and external walls are incorrectly assumed to be lot property as they are internal to a lot, when in fact, they are common property.

Matthew Jenkins | Bannermans Lawyers enquiries@bannermans.com.au READ MORE HERE

WINDOW & DOOR REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE WINDOW SAFETY COMPLIANCE SMALL SCALE WINDOW & DOOR REPLACEMENTS

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asqb.com.au

25

A Property Valuer’s Opinion on the Housing Crisis in 2023!

Written by James Bouteris

We all know there is a significant housing shortfall in NSW. Under the national housing accord between the federal government and the states, NSW is required to build 314,000 new homes over the next five years. The department’s forecast of 180,000 new homes over the same period falls significantly short and this shortfall has been described as ‘greater than we thought’ by Planning Minister, Paul Scully.

In response to the housing crisis, the NSW Government is considering various measures to address the issue of supply.

A review of the Sydney Metro mega project will explore ways to optimise land use and urban renewal, potentially involving rezoning more land near Metro stations for medium and high-density housing.

Overall, the situation in NSW highlights the need for significant efforts to address the housing shortfall and improve the efficiency of the planning and development approval process.

As an example, we have used Sutherland Shire Council Development Control Plan (DCP) highlighting the overreaching and prohibiting nature of Council restrictions on developments due to their DCP’s especially mentioning R4 High Density zoning for Residential Flat Buildings.

Firstly, the SEPP and the Apartment Design Guide 2015 (ADG) prevail over Council’s DCP requirements. The SEPP is supported by tools for improving the design of residential flat buildings and gives guidance on how the design quality principles provided under SEPP 65 can be applied to new developments.

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As a matter of policy, the principles of the ADG will be applied to all developments defined as Residential Flat Buildings.

SSLEP2015 proposes a number of new areas zoned to permit residential flat buildings and also increases in the height and density development standards for some localities.

Based on the North Cronulla pocket of R4 High Density Residential properties within the Sutherland Shire LGA there is approximately 400,000m2 of land with that zoning classification. For the North Cronulla precinct, there are approximately 2,500 dwellings currently built with the R4 High Density zoning classification which represents approximately 27.5% of all dwellings within the entire suburb of Cronulla. Between Census dates 2016 and 2021 the entire suburb of Cronulla only added 91 new dwellings under the High-Density zoning classification.

James, Martyn, Bryan, Sam and Cameron from the Asset Strata Valuers team are qualified and ready to help!

W: www.assetstratavaluers.com.au

E: workorders@assetstratavaluers.com.au

Using basic assumptions, if there’s 400,000m2 of land with R4 Zoned properties across the North Cronulla precinct and approximately 2,500 dwellings that are already built then this means that there is 290,000m2 of land that is underdeveloped in some capacity which potentially means that another 6,500 potential new dwellings could be built under the R4 High Density Residential zoning classification.

Imagine how much more revenue Sutherland Shire Council would make annually if another 6,500 new dwellings were created in the North Cronulla Precinct, plus how much the NSW Gov’t would make out of Land Tax contribution!

We understand that some Councils around the Greater Sydney Metro areas are reluctant to increase density to comply with the State and Federal Government requirements for annual minimum new dwelling construction.

They experience two main issues: 1.

the attitude that Councils have towards further development and the slow management of this process via restrictive DCP and LEP council requirements and;

2. a clear lack of supply. If we are only building 35,000 new dwellings per year in NSW, from the 65,000 required, then there is clearly a supply issue and Councils play a role in this problem.

If Councils are understaffed and their Town Planning Departments are overwhelmed, then it may be time to consider if Town Planning should be run exclusively by the NSW Planning Department and not Councils.

Let Councils focus on the tough day-to-day running of their LGA’s without the added burden of managing ongoing planning issues as well.

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Can you deliver the proxy form on the night of the AGM?

Should the proxy forms be given to the strata managers before the AGM, or can the person holding the proxy deliver the form on the night of the AGM? If the building is over 100 lots, the proxy must be delivered 24 hours before the AGM. If the building is under 100 lots, the proxy form can be delivered to the strata manager on the night of the AGM.

28 www.lookupstrata.com.au

If the owners corporation is over 100 lots, excluding utility lots, then that proxy form has missed the 24-hour window, and it goes to the next meeting.

We are talking about a hard 24 hours, not business hours. If the meeting is, say 6 pm on Monday, they’ve got until 6 pm on Sunday to send in the proxy, not 6 pm on Friday..

Rod Smith | The Strata Collective rsmith@thestratacollective.com.au READ MORE HERE

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

Pets are allowed, just no dogs or cats

We have a keeping of animals by-law stating residents can keep an animal, but not dogs or cats. Is this a reasonable by-law?

I’m okay with restricting the types of animals, where animals are kept, or even the number of animals. But it needs to be done intelligently.

I’m not sure this by-law has been done with much thought. Two of the most common pets are dogs and cats.

We have a keeping of animals by-law stating residents can keep an animal, but not dogs or cats:

Why is that restriction being imposed? What’s the reason behind the by-law? Is it because of limited space? In the Franklin case, it was an old aged care scheme, and people had a room for their bed and lounge and then an ensuite bathroom. That doesn’t necessarily rule out a small dog, a cat, or a lazy dog.

“owners or occupiers shall be entitled to keep any animal upon their lot provided that no dogs or cats, other than assistance animals as prescribed by the legislation, shall be allowed upon any lawn or the common property.”

Is this a reasonable by-law?

I’m okay with restricting the types of animals, where animals are kept, or even the number of animals. But it needs to be done intelligently.

30 www.lookupstrata.com.au

At face glance, this by-law is likely to be very, very challengeable and harsh, unconscionable and oppressive. If the by-law said you could have two dogs or two cats, or one dog and one cat, I would be more okay and happy with that restriction. If there was an ability to apply for a special exemption, such as we want to have three cats, but two of them are 18 years old, and all they do is lie on the bed all day. That would make the by-law much less likely to be deemed harsh, unconscionable and oppressive.

I saw a by-law the other day about venomous animals, and I thought, okay, well, I can see why that restriction would be imposed. I thought, that one’s likely to withstand challenge.

In this instance, I think the boundaries of this by-law are going to be tested. Go back to the scheme to ask how they can justify this restriction in the context of your scheme.

How does that adversely affect you keeping that animal in your scheme?

ARE YOUR OWNERS ADEQUATELY INSURED? INSURANCE REPLACEMENT VALUATIONS AUSTRALIA WIDE

Allison Benson | Kerin Benson Lawyers allison@kerinbensonlawyers.com.au READ MORE HERE

WWW.RAWLINSONSWA.COM.AU

31

Reforms to fire safety regulations.

What do you need to know?

As a committee member in a medium-sized building in Sydney, what does my committee need to know about the upcoming reforms in 2023 to the fire safety legislation for apartments? What has changed, and when do the changes begin?

Reforms have been introduced to fire safety regulations to improve compliance with requirements for the design, certification and maintenance of installed fire safety measures in buildings.

Reforms have been introduced to fire safety regulations to improve compliance with requirements for the design, certification and maintenance of installed fire safety measures in buildings through: • Increasing the involvement of Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) in reviewing nonstandard fire safety design proposals.

• Creating an independent checker role to assess newly installed fire safety measures before buildings are occupied.

the building practitioner issuing a building compliance declaration under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020.

Building owners will now be able to request corrections of minor errors in fire safety schedules or a replacement if the schedule is lost or destroyed.

From 1 August 2023

Owners must ensure that a person who develops a non-standard fire safety design proposal in all types of buildings except single dwellings and certain types of boarding houses, guest houses or similar, consults with FRNSW if a construction certificate is required for the building work.

• From 13 February 2025 (or 18 months after an accreditation scheme is approved, whichever occurs first), • Owners must use an accredited technician to certify newly installed fire safety measures before issuing a fire safety certificate.

This must include relevant information about that accredited person in the fire safety certificate.

• Owners must maintain essential fire safety measures in all types of buildings except single dwellings in accordance with procedures in the Australian Standard 1851-2012 Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment, where the maintenance activity is addressed by the standard.

• Improving documentation of fire safety measures by standardising documentation and simplifying amendment processes; and

You can find out more about the changes and how they affect you and your owners corporation here: Reforms to fire safety regulation 2022

• Mandating the procedures for the maintenance of fire safety measures.

Heath Newell | Chief AFSS Services heath@chiefmechanicalservices.com

The key changes affect building owners from 13 February 2023

For class 2 building work (multi story residential buildings), owners must provide a copy of the fire safety certificate to 32 www.lookupstrata.com.au

READ MORE HERE

Water damage claims due to owner’s negligence

Two owners in our townhouse complete have recently made water damage claims resulting from their negligence. Why is this allowed?

In our NSW Townhouse complex, lot owner A claimed $150,000 from strata insurance for water damage caused by a failed, rusted flexi-hose in an upstairs bathroom.

Lot owner B claimed $50,000 from strata insurance for water damage caused by a plastic external hose fitted to a tap attached to an ice-making fridge.

In both cases, wooden floors, stairs, and the kitchen were destroyed. Surely this is the owner’s responsibility to make good the damage? My strata company tells me that even if a child overflowed a bath and destroyed wooden floors, strata insurance would have to pay. I dispute this.

When you own a property in a strata building, you become part of the collective claims history of that building.

The owners are responsible for maintaining their flexi hoses and appliances. Regular maintenance and inspection can prevent potential damage and minimise the risk of accidents.

If these hoses or appliances cause consequential damage to the building, the claim for such damage can only be made on the strata insurance policy.

34 www.lookupstrata.com.au

Contents and Landlords policies generally do not provide coverage for building damage.

Strata insurance policies typically require “sudden and accidental damage” to occur for coverage to apply unless specific exclusions are stated. It is worth noting that negligence is not automatically excluded. Negligence can be excluded when it reaches the level of wilful damage or becomes a foreseeable claim.

Water damage is a common claim under a strata insurance policy, and we would expect the instances provided in the question to be considered by a strata policy, even where an owner accidentally leaves a bath on and it overflows.

The claims advised in the question will have an adverse impact on the claims history and, therefore, premiums and insurability, and we would expect the insurer to impose high water damage excesses for three to five years to encourage owners to maintain their property.

When you own a property in a strata building, you become part of the collective claims history of that building. The claims made by other owners can impact everyone’s overall premiums and cover. This is one aspect to consider when weighing the pros and cons of strata ownership.

Tyrone Shandiman | Strata Insurance Solutions tshandiman@iaa.net.au READ MORE HERE

Defibrillation made easy for everyone

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) kills around 30,000 Australian adults and children every year with about 70% of all cardiac deaths occurring in the home. CPR and defibrillation with an AED are essential for any chance of survival. SCA survival decreases by 10% every minute without defibrillation.

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BeneHeart C1A & C2

Strata Community Association (SCA NSW) is the peak professional industry body and consumer advocate for Strata and Community Title Management in New South Wales. Membership includes strata managers, support staff, and strata service providers to the industry.

SCA (NSW) has in excess of 3,000 members who help oversee, advise or manage over 750,000 lots in NSW. SCA (NSW) champions consumer rights and advocates for the highest industry standards and professionalism.

BECOMING A MEMBER IS EASY....

JOIN SCA (NSW) TODAY To access exclusive benefits such as 9 Enhanced credibility and recognition of being an accredited professional member 9 Continuing Professional Development 9 Strata specific education courses 9 Industry awards recognition 9 Networking events 9 Access to resources, best practice guides and templates

WHO WE ARE The peak industry body for Strata and Community Title Management in NSW. WHAT WE DO We are a professional association and consumer advocate for strata managers, strata owners and suppliers to the sector.

WHY IT MATTERS We raise strata industry standards and provide members with professional recognition and a competitive advantage.

SUSTAINABILITY INFRASTRUCTURE – IMPROVING STRATA SCHEMES LIVEABILITY

The Statutory Review of the Strata Schemes Development Act 2015 (SSDA) and the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (SSMA) Consultation Paper listed 10 recommendations to improve the liveability of strata complexes.

Notably, recommendation 115 will prohibit bylaws that block sustainability infrastructure due to appearance and examine any necessary exemptions to this requirement.

SCA (NSW) does not support recommendation 115 for a blanket prohibition of by-laws that block sustainability infrastructure. Currently, sustainability infrastructure by-laws only require a threshold of most owners to vote in favour of them to be adopted by an owners corporation – unlike other types of by-laws that require no more than 25% of the vote against them to be adopted.

In relation to a blanket prohibition on bylaws that block sustainability infrastructure due to appearance, a developer and an owner’s corporation (OC) could preserve the

(02) 9492 8200

architectural and landscape standards which were originally approved for development.

An example would be solar panels; however, care needs to be taken in a strata community title scheme which has by-laws specifying architectural and landscape standards.

Conversely, in relation to a blanket prohibition on by-laws that block sustainability infrastructure due to issues other than appearance, SCA (NSW) is aware of reasons for such by-laws that go beyond the control of the scheme. For example, a strata scheme made such by-laws to protect all lot owners because those who had installed a charging station or induction cooktop caused a power failure as the allocation of electrical power to the whole strata complex exceeded the electric supply.

Ultimately, SCA (NSW) seeks to improve by-laws to ensure every NSW resident living in a strata complex can experience the highest quality of living.

membership.nsw@strata.community

nsw.strata.community

High five, Sydney! We’ve recycled 1,000 tonnes of food scraps Recycling food scraps does more than just lighten our rubbish bins.

Residents in the City of Sydney council area have: •

generated 64,447 kWh of energy.

Enough energy to power 11 average households in our area for a year.

•

created almost 8 tonnes of fertiliser and 420 tonnes of compost to nourish soil in gardens and parks.

•

avoided the equivalent of 1,735 t of CO2. That’s the same as taking 416 cars permanently off the road.

“I’ve also been using it for my coffee grounds. I’m really happy about that because they were going in the bin or down the drain.”

Fiona – Food scraps champion

Maggie – Food scraps champion

“The more neighbours get involved and the more ownership they take ... the more everyone feels at home.”

If you are in the City of Sydney council area, register your interest for your apartment building to start recycling food scraps.

Your source of reliable Strata news and information since 2013 Providing detailed, practical, and easy to understand strata information to all Australians.

Articles & Q&As The Strata Magazine Webinars & Newsletters The LookUpStrata Directory

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EDUCATION & TRAINING LookUpStrata

Australia’s Strata Title Information Site W: https://www.lookupstrata.com.au/ E: administration@lookupstrata.com.au

Strata Community Association P: 02 9492 8200 W: https://www.strata.community/ E: admin@strata.community

Owners Corporation Network

SOFTWARE Mimor

Connecting People – Creating Communities P: 1300 064 667 W: https://www.mimor.com.au/ E: info@mimor.com.au

Stratabox

Building Confidence P: 1300 651 506 W: https://stratabox.com.au/ E: contact@stratabox.com.au

Urbanise

The Independent Voice of Strata Owners W: https://ocn.org.au/ E: enquiries@ocn.org.au

Automate your workload to increase efficiency.

P: 1300 832 852 W: https://www.urbanise.com/ E: marketing@urbanise.com

Your Strata Property

Resvu

Demystifying the legal complexities of apartment living

W: https://www.yourstrataproperty.com.au/ E: amanda@yourstrataproperty.com.au

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: 0402 083 404 W: https://firstfm.net.au/ E: admin@firstfm.net.au

RFM Facility Management Pty Ltd

Strata and Specialist Cleaners P: 1300 402 524 W: https://www.rfmfacilitymanagement.com.au/ E: nathan@rfmfacilitymanagement.com.au

Elite Building Managers Australia Education for Building Managers P: 0420 520 976 W: https://www.elitebma.com/ E: matt@elitebma.com

MARKETING

Customer Service Software for Strata P: 08 7477 8991 W: https://resvu.io/ 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

StrataVault

Connecting people, processes, and applications P: 1300 082 858 W: https://globalvaults.com.au/ E: team@thestratavault.com

VALUERS Asset Strata Valuers

Leaders in Strata Property Valuations P: 1800 679 787 W: https://assetstratavaluers.com.au/ E: workorders@assetstratavaluers.com.au

Ki Creative Design

Purposeful Design Solutions P: 0451 541 006 E: kiara.mcilroy@gmail.com

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BUILDING ENGINEERS & INSPECTORS Sedgwick

Building Consultancy Division & Repair Solutions W: https://www.sedgwick.com/solutions/global/au E: sales@au.sedgwick.com

QIA Group

Comapliance Made Easy P: 1300 309 201 W: https://www.qiagroup.com.au/ E: info@qiagroup.com.au

BIV Reports

Specialist in Strata Compliance Reports P: 1300 107 280 W: https://www.biv.com.au/ E: biv@biv.com.au

GQS

Quantity Surveyors & Building Consultants P: 1300 290 235 W: https://gqs.com.au/ E: info@gqs.com.au

Seymour Consultants

Body Corporate Report Specialists W: https://www.seymourconsultants.com.au/ E: info@seymourconsultants.com.au

Roscon

Property services & facilities management P: 1800 767 266 W: https://www.roscon.com.au/ E: info@roscon.com

Budget Vals

Forte Asset Services

FIRE | ELECTRICAL | HVAC P: 1300 920 752 W: https://www.forteassetservices.com.au/ E: info@forteas.com.au

Quality Building Management

keeping your buildings legally compliant and safe P: 1300 880 466 W: https://qbm.com.au/ E: inspections@qbm.com.au

HFM Asset Management Pty Ltd Leaders in Building Efficiency P: 0407 734 260 W: https://www.hfmassets.com.au/ E: david.chokolich@hfmassets.com.au

CORE Consulting Engineers

Delivering 360° engineering solutions for strata P: 02 8961 3250 W: https://coreconsultingengineers.com.au/ E: admin@core.engineering

Auric Projects

Managing clients P: 02 9918 2200 W: https://auricprojects.com.au/ E: info@auricprojects.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

Solutions in Engineering

Built For Strata P: 1300 148 150 W: https://www.budgetvals.com.au/ E: reports@budgetvals.com.au

Quality Reports On Time, Every Time!

P: 1300 136 036 W: https://www.solutionsinengineering.com/ E: enquiry@solutionsinengineering.com

Leary & Partners

Landlay Consulting Group

Quantity surveying services since 1977 P: 1800 808 991 W: https://www.leary.com.au/ E: enquiries@leary.com.au

A Strata Remedial Consultancy P: 02 8095 8556 W: https://www.landlay.com.au/ E: admin@landlay.com.au

Mabi Services

Asbestos, Safety & Building Consultants P: 1300 762 295 W: https://www.mabi.com.au/ E: info@mabi.com.au

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STRATA REPORTS EYEON Property Inspections

Buy and Sell with More Confidence P: 1300 798 274 W: https://www.eyeon.com.au/ E: info@eyeon.com.au

Rawlinsons

Calculated Confidence P: 08 9424 5800 W: https://www.rawlinsonswa.com.au/ E: info@rawlinsonswa.com.au

Covid19 Plans

Covid19 Safety Plans for Strata P: 1300 828 344 W: https://covid19plans.com.au/ E: plans@covidplans.com.au

Strataregister.com Pty Ltd

Find the Strata / CT Manager for your property P: 0411 483 249 W: https://www.strataregister.com/ E: hello@strataregister.com

STRATA LAWYERS Kerin Benson Lawyers Pty Ltd

Specialised Legal Advice for Strata P: 02 8706 7060 W: https://kerinbensonlawyers.com.au/ E: enquiries@kerinbensonlawyers.com.au

Madison Marcus Law Firm

Be Empowered P: 131 529 W: https://www.madisonmarcus.com.au/ E: strata@madisonmarcus.com.au

Holman Webb Lawyers

Body Corporate Disputes & Litigation Specialists P: 07 3235 0100 W: https://www.holmanwebb.com.au/ E: shane.roberts@holmanwebb.com.au

RC & CO Lawyers

Effective, resource, clear.

P: 1300 072 626 W: https://www.rccolawyers.com/ E: assistant@rccolawyers.com

Royer Mace Lawyers

Your Property is our Priority P: 0434 388 898 W: https://royermace.com.au/ E: solon@royermace.com.au

Bugden Allen Graham Lawyers

Australia’s leading strata law experts P: 02 9199 1055 W: https://bagl.com.au/ E: info@bagl.com.au

JS Mueller & Co Lawyers

Specialist ‘Plain English’ NSW Strata Lawyers W: https://www.muellers.com.au/ E: enquiries@muellers.com.au

Khoury Lawyers Pty Ltd

Client focused, Results Driven P: 0415 459 486 W: https://khourylawyers.com.au/ E: pierrette@khourylawyers.com.au

Williamson Lawyers

A construction and strata lawyer ready to listen W: https://www.williamsonlawyers.com.au/ E: shane@williamsonlawyers.com.au

Douglas Cheveralls Lawyers

The Go-To Strata Lawyers P: 08 9380 9288 W: https://www.dclawyers.com.au/ E: office@dclawyers.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.

W: https://gracelawyers.com.au/ E: enquiries@gracelawyers.com.au

Speirs Ryan

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

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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

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

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

Bright & Duggan

Strata Professionals P: 02 9902 7100 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

Vital Strata

Strata Made Simple P: 02 9008 1112 W: https://www.vitalstrata.com.au/ E: hello@vitalstrata.com.au

ASM – Australian Strata Management Helping Strata Communities Thrive P: 1300 777 276 W: https://asmstrata.com.au/ E: administration@mbcm.com.au

Sky Living Strata

Providing a superior customer experience P: 02 9299 1100 W: https://www.skylivingstrata.com.au/ E: enquiries@skylivingstrata.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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Strata Central

Boutique Strata Management Services W: https://stratacentral.com.au/ E: enquiries@stratacentral.com.au

Acumen Strata

Tailored Strata Management Solutions P: 02 7253 5820 W: https://www.acumenstrata.com.au/ E: info@acumenstrata.com.au

Quantum United Management

Creating vibrant and connected communities P: 61 383 608 800 W: https://www.quantumunited.com.au/ E: info@quantumunited.com.au

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

CHU Underwriting Agencies Pty Ltd

Specialist Strata Insurance Underwriting Agency W: https://www.chu.com.au/ E: info@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

Driscoll Strata Consulting

Knowledge | Experience | Service P: 0402 342 034 W: https://driscollstrataconsulting.com.au/ E: enquiries@driscollstrataconsulting.com.au

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DEFECT RESTORATION

FIRE SERVICES

MJ Engineering Projects

Linkfire Pty Ltd

Klaar

Chief AFSS Services

Remedial Consultant Engineers P: 1300 571 991 W: https://mjengineeringprojects.com.au/ E: info@mjengineeringprojects.com.au The Strata Building Specialists P: 02 8003 4547 W: https://klaar.com.au/ E: build@klaar.com.au

ELECTRICAL Altogether Group

Power.Water.Data P: 1300 803 803 W: https://altogethergroup.com.au/home-business/ E: eaustin@altogethergroup.com.au

ENM Solutions

Providing Solutions for Embedded Networks P: 1300 000 366 W: https://www.enmsolutions.com.au/ E: info@ENMSolutions.com.au

Energy On Pty Ltd

P: 1300 323 263 W: https://www.energyon.com.au/ E: EnergyServices@EnergyOn.com.au

Your Essential Safety Partner P: 1300 669 439 W: http://www.linkfire.com.au/ E: sales@linkfire.com.au YOUR AFSS COMPLIANCE IS OUR PRIORITY P: 0405 932 458 W: https://afssfirechief.com.au/ E: melanie@chiefmechanicalservices.com

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: http://www.firesafetyconstruction.com.au/ E: info@firesafetyconstructions.com.au

Betta Fire Protection

Compliance you can trust P: 02 8669 9108 W: https://bettafireprotection.com.au/ E: info@bettafireprotection.com.au

SUSTAINABILITY

McIntosh Electrical Pty Ltd

Humenergy

EMERLITE ELECTRICAL SERVICES

The Green Guys Group

Powered by Trust P: 1300 627 727 W: https://www.mcintoshelectrical.com.au/ E: jenny@mcintoshelectrical.com.au We Answer The Phone - No Job Too Big Or Small P: 07 5591 9191 W: https://www.emerlite.com.au/ E: office@emerlite.com.au

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

PRINT YOUR DIRECTORY HERE

People, innovation and value sharing P: 1300 322 622 W: https://www.humenergy.com.au/ E: Info@humenergy.com.au

Austalia’s Leading Energy Saving Partner W: https://greenguys.com.au/ E: sean@greenguys.com.au

ENERGY 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

Strata Energy Services

Simplifying Energy For Strata P: 1300 060 111 W: http://www.strataenergyservices.com.au/ E: info@strataenergyservices.com.au

LIST MY BUSINESS

PLUMBING Sydney Central Pumps

Fixing Pump Problems for 20+ years P: 1300 558 059 W: https://www.scpumps.com.au/ E: service@scpumps.com.au

Stormwater Sydney

WINDOWS & DOORS Windowline Pty Ltd

Replacement window and door specialists

P: 02 8304 6400 W: https://windowline.com.au/ E: info@windowline.com.au

ASQB Pty Ltd

P: 1300 741 003 W: https://stormwatersydney.com/ E: admin@stormwatersydney.com

Window & Door Repairs + Window Safety Compliance P: 02 9785 7893 W: https://www.asqb.com.au/ E: service@asqb.com.au

HYDRAULICA Pty Ltd

The Window Guy

Inspection, Repair and Maintenance of drainage assets

Specialise in Drain & Pipe Cleaning W: https://www.hydraulica.com.au/ E: darren@hydraulica.com.au

Mr Washer, Plumber To The Rescue

Over 30 years serving Sydney Strata buildings P: 02 8583 2360 W: plumbertotherescue.com.au/strata-commercial.html E: jobs@mrwasher.com.au

Fair Water Meters

Retrofit sub-metering specialists P: 1300 324 701 W: https://fairwatermeters.com.au/ E: info@fairwatermeters.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

FRANCHISERS Network Pacific Strata Franchise

Join our successful team P: 03 9999 5488 W: www.networkpacificstratafranchise.com.au/ E: networkpacific@franchisedevelopments.com.au

PRINT YOUR DIRECTORY HERE

Don’t choose any guy, choose The Window Guy! 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

PAINTING Higgins Coatings Pty Ltd

Specialist painters in the strata industry W: https://www.higgins.com.au/ E: info@higgins.com.au

Dulux Property Services

Total Building Maintenance & Remedial Solutions P: 0411 152 430 W: https://www.duluxconstructionsolutions.com.au/ E: propertyservice@dulux.com.au

3 Colours Painting Services 3 Colours Painting Services P: 1300 883 635 W: https://3colours.com.au/ E: 3colours@3colours.com.au

Terra Australis Painting Services

Terra Australis Painting Services P: 0497 545 289 W: https://www.terraaustralispainting.com.au/ E: info@terraaustralispainting.com.au

CPR Facade Upgrade Specialists

We clean, repair & repaint multi-storey buildings P: 0493 651 643 W:https://cprfacadeupgrades.com.au/ E: info@facadeupgrades.com.au

LIST MY BUSINESS CONSULTING

RECRUITMENT SERVICES

Strata Solve

sharonbennie – Property Recruitment

Insight Resolutions

Property Recruitment Partners

Untangling strata problems P: 0419 805 898 W: https://stratasolve.com.au/ E: chris@stratasolve.com.au Reconcile and rebuild through mediation P: 0413 334 633 W: https://insightresolutions.com.au/ E: vad.mediation@gmail.com

STRATA LOAN PROFESSIONALS

Matching top talent with incredible businesses P: 0413 381 381 W: https://www.sharonbennie.com.au/ E: sb@sharonbennie.com.au Recruitment Solutions Tailored for You P: 02 8313 5591 E: aaron@propertyrecruitmentpartners.com.au

ACCOUNTANTS

StrataLoans

Tinworth & Co

Lannock Strata Finance

Matthew Faulkner Accountancy

The Leading Strata Finance Specialist P: 1300 851 585 W: https://lannock.com.au/ E: strata@lannock.com.au

Strata Auditing specialists P: 0438 116 374 W: https://www.mattfaulkner.accountants/ E: matt@mattfaulkner.accountants

Austrata Finance

SAFETY & SECURITY

The Experts in Strata Finance P: 1300 785 045 W: https://www.strata-loans.com/ E: info@strata-loans.com

Pay Now or Pay Later: It’s Your Choice® P: 1300 936 560 W: https://austratafinance.com.au/ E: info@austratafinance.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

The Lift Consultancy

Trusted Specialised Advice P: 07 5509 0100 W: https://theliftc.com/ E: sidb@theliftc.com

ABN Lift Consultants

A team of friendly, open minded professionals P: 0468 659 100 W: https://www.abnlift.com/ E: andrew@abnlift.com

PRINT YOUR DIRECTORY HERE

Chartered Accountant & Strata Auditors P: 0499 025 069 W: https://www.tinworthaccountants.com.au/ E: caren.chen@tinworth.com

QUATRIX PTY LTD

Intercoms, Access Control, CCTV, Data, etc.

P: 02 9554 3487 W: https://www.quatrix.com.au/ E: info@quatrix.com.au

Lock, Stock & Barrel Locksmiths Pty Ltd P: 0411 700 072 W: https://www.lsblocksmiths.com.au/ E: info@lsblocksmiths.com.au

Macquarie Locksmiths & Security

Trusted Master Locksmiths since 1981 P: 02 9887 3433 W: https://www.macquarielocksmiths.com.au/ E: sales@macquarielocksmiths.com.au

DELIVERY & COLLECTION SERVICES Groundfloor™

Australian parcel, mail, and refrigerated lockers P: 03 9982 4462 W: https://groundfloordelivery.com/ E: ask@groundfloordelivery.com

LIST MY BUSINESS ROOFING Apt Roofing Pty Ltd

Everything Roofing!

P: 02 9666 7373 W: https://www.aptroofing.com.au/ E: admin@aptroofing.com.au

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

PROJECT MANAGEMENT Valen Project Services

Client-Side Project Management Specialists P: 02 8542 4293 W: https://valenprojects.com.au/ E: enquiries@valenprojects.com.au

CLOTHESLINES Lifestyle Clotheslines

Clothesline and washing line supplier & installer P: 1300 798 779 W: https://www.lifestyleclotheslines.com.au/ E: admin@lifestyleclotheslines.com.au

CLEANING / CLEAN AIR Actualised Industries

A breath of fresh air P: 1300 728 760 W: https://www.actualisedindustries.com.au/ E: admin@actualisedindustries.com.au

Arrow Abseiling Pty Ltd

Window cleaning, repair and maintenance P: 02 8957 3693 W: https://www.arrowabseiling.com.au/ E: contact@arrowabseiling.com.au

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