The NSW Strata Magazine | September 2021

The NSW Strata Magazine

ELECTRONIC SMART LOCKS AND FIRE SAFETY Page 10-11 | 2020 Fire Protection

INSURANCE OFFER INSIDE

SAVE UP TO $500 Page 6-7 | Strata Insurance Solutions

WHEN YOU’VE GOT A CONDO COMMANDO IN YOUR BUILDING Page 24-25 | The Strata Collective

September 2021 // ISSUE 14 1

Compounding

Matters

Your Building's Superannuation

For most, superannuation really only gathers relevance in the later stages of life. This makes sense, as the goal is now in view and preparations to build the funds become the primary focus as the picture of what retirement might actually look like becomes clearer.

For those fortunate enough to have built a substantial amount during their lives, this is a happy period and brings with it the comfort that their lifestyle will be preserved (or increased) once they finish work and move into the next phase of life. For many, this is also a time of regret that they didn't start earlier or make more effort to contribute more to their retirement savings or focus on how it was invested.

Strata & sinking funds can be looked at similarly, but thankfully with a much higher level of clarity over what is required at the other end. The increasing requirement for buildings to have a 10-year plan (now mandatory in many states for specific sized buildings) has meant that much of the ambiguity found in personal retirement plans can be removed, and more defined costings and timelines can be established.

So, with the periodical and significant costs of replacing substantial components of a building now clearly defined, the 'financial plan' of a building is thankfully a lot easier to compose. There is an existing amount and a reasonably good idea of the end amount required, and all that is left is the pathway there.

Essentially this all now boils down to two major components: 1. Contributions to the fund (strata levies) and 2. The rate of return available to compound the accumulating funds.

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Compounding Matters

Albert Einstein reportedly said it. "Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it. He who doesn't, pays it."

A NEW SOLUTION TO A NEW PROBLEM

In the frame of long term investment, there is no more crucial aspect to understand.

This is the reason we started Strata Guardian.

We understand the importance of seeking higher returns to minimize the need for tough decisions like raising (and reraising) annual strata levies to keep a building’s strata fund on track to help meet its goals.

For most Australian buildings' strata funds, the rosetinted glasses of previous years can be worn with honesty. Term deposits, the default and most secure investment vehicle for these funds over the last few decades, have proven useful with interest rates providing a reasonable return, and little thought has been required in managing these holdings. As the adage goes, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it.'

For many financial controllers, the task at hand was simply rolling over the term deposits and perhaps a precursory check of better rates at another institution.

For more information, head to strataguardian. com and book a call back to discuss. We would love to speak to you about how you can help your Owners Corporation / Body Corporate get on the right side of compounding your building’s superannuation.

The ways of before, unfortunately, are proving now to be inappropriate going forward. As global central banks (including Australia) are consigned to relaxed monetary policy, leading to sub 1% rates of return on traditional options like the term deposit, more effort is now going to be required to ensure that the financial goals of the savings can still be met.

The difference between a prior and current term deposit and cash rates is significant on long term savings.

But where to find a reasonable return rate that still offers sufficient protection from the perils of modern markets and can provide confidence to all lot owners that their hard-earned contributions can be reliably invested and accessed when they need it?

There are plenty of places to find higher returns, but does your Owners Corporation / Body Corporate have the experience to wade into risky markets with confidence?

Contact Us Today 1300 482 736 www.strataguardian.com contact@strataguardian.com 25 Palmerston Crescent, South Melbourne 3205 Strata Guardian Pty. Ltd. ABN 20 646 722 518 is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Strata Advice Pty Ltd - AFSL 528306

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Accessing Records from Over 10 Years Ago I’m after strata records from a previous strata manager from over 10 years ago. How can I access these records?

I am a lot owner in NSW. Our building underwent rectification works in 2007 / 2008.

I’m after copies of the Special Levies for the rectification works. The strata manager from that time is not being very compliant with my request for access to information.

How can I obtain copies of these strata documents?

Due to the time elapsed, it is likely the records have been archived (or even possibly destroyed) I assume from your question that the strata manager from that time is not your current strata manager. In this case, they should have transferred all records to the new strata manager. Due to the time elapsed since 20072008, it is likely that the records would have been archived (or even possibly destroyed). It is our understanding that strata records must be kept for at least 7 years.

READ MORE ON THIS TOPIC HERE 4 www.lookupstrata.com.au

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

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Surprise!

Magnesite Flooring

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Q

A burst pipe flooded a unit and damaged contents Removal of the carpet uncovered magnesite flooring.

Who pays for what?

A lot owner had a burst pipe from their washing machine which flooded the unit.

Contents insurance has covered the carpet removal and damage to furniture. Underneath the carpet was magnesite flooring. Apparently, this falls under strata. Will the strata and owners corporation deny the claim of removal? It’s a very grey area.

A

Where there is damage to both building & contents, a claim must be made on both the contents and the strata policy.

In instances where there is damage to both building & contents, a claim must be made on both policies (contents & strata).

Lot owners should have contents/landlords insurance with a reputable insurer to cover property not insured by the strata policy and the basic principle is that property inside a unit should be covered by either the strata insurance or contents insurance.

In this instance, contents insurance will cover damage to carpet, but magnesite flooring that is a permanent fixture will be considered building and therefore claimable under strata insurance.

Generally speaking, a lot owner who has contributed to insurance premiums for a policy covering property they own can demonstrate an insurable interest in the policy and therefore is able to make a claim.

Where a claim is made, it falls on the insurer to either settle the claim less the excess or demonstrate the event that caused the damage or the property itself is not covered by the policy.

READ MORE ON THIS TOPIC HERE

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

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As a visitor, can strata fine me $165 if I park for over 24 hours in a visitor parking spot?

A building I visit recently made a rule to fine people $165 for using their visitor parking spots for over 24 hours. As we are currently in lockdown and no one is visiting, I decided to use the space rather than park on the street.

I am legally allowed to visit, for compassionate reasons. As a visitor to the building, can strata fine me $165 if I park for over 24 hours in a visitor parking spot?

Parking Fines For Visitors

A 24-hour limit does not appear to be an unreasonable restriction.

There is likely a “visitor parking” by-law in force at the building you visit which will determine if you may park there and the conditions of same. A 24-hour limit does not appear to be an unreasonable restriction. You will be aware that visitor parking is reserved for bona fide visitors only ie it would likely be a requirement that you are present at the building while you park there and that the owner or occupier you visit is present also. As for fines, we are not aware of any cases where such by-laws have been tested in the Courts.

READ MORE ON THIS TOPIC HERE

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Leanne Habib | Premium Strata info@premiumstrata.com.au

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Electronic Smart Locks and Fire Safety Our building is looking at installing electronic smart locks on all apartment doors. What do we have to be aware of regarding fire safety and access? Are they allowed, and do the locks have to be certified to ensure they comply with fire safety standards?

All fire doors, including their hardware (e.g. closer & locks) must be type tested.

Electronic smart locks are not precluded from being used on fire doors to apartments; however, all fire doors, including their hardware (e.g. closer & locks) must be type tested. This means – during the approval process for any door, it gets burnt in a testing facility’s furnace to check the fire resistance level of the fire door meets a particular Fire Resistance Level or FRL.

The owners should first check with the manufacturer of the door (look for a phone number on the door tag) whether there is an electronic smart lock approved for that door type and size.

If the manufacturer does not have this on file or is uncontactable, the Australian Standard for Fire Door installation – AS1905.1-2005 states: “A different lockset shall only be substituted for the lockset on the tested specimen if it has been subjected to the fire resistance test on a doorset of similar construction, or if the essential latching components from the same manufacturer are substituted by those constructed from materials of greater or equal melting point”.

Hence, if you can get a certificate from the lock manufacturer stating the lock has been tested successfully on a similarly rated fire door (FRL -/60/30 is the term to look for), you could use them on the apartment doors.

We highly recommend you show the documentation and gain advice from your Accredited Practitioner (Fire Safety) prior to undertaking the works.

READ MORE ON THIS TOPIC HERE

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Rob Broadhead | 2020 Fire Protection rob.broadhead@2020fire.com.au

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5 Steps to Deal with a

Barking Dog

Firstly, speak to or write to the owner of the dog and ask them to do something about the problem.

How does an owners corporation deal with a barking dog?

The dog is upsetting the tranquillity of the residents and the dog owner does nothing to stop the barking.

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I think it’s steps and stairs. Firstly, the dog owner should be spoken to or written to, the problem the dog is creating should be put to that owner, and the owner should be asked to address it.

You have to remember that some people go to work, leave their dogs at home, don’t realise the dog is barking during the day, only to come home and find people complaining. So speak to or write to the owner of the dog and ask them to do something about the problem.

If that doesn’t work, then you would typically have your Strata Manager, write to the owner of the dog, explain the problem and ask them to deal with it.

If that doesn’t work, you then get to step three, which is to issue a notice to comply with the pets bylaw or other bylaws on that owner.

If that doesn’t work, step four would be to go to New South Wales Fair Trading to have a mediation. Try and resolve the dispute with the owner of the dog.

If that doesn’t work, your final step and port of call is to go to NCAT to seek in order for either the dog to be removed, or to compel the owner to take steps to stop the dog barking.

READ MORE ON THIS TOPIC HERE

Adrian Mueller | JS Mueller & Co Lawyers adrianmueller@muellers.com.au

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Removing Load Bearing Walls

Who Pays For the Dilapidation Report?

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Q

Who pays for a dilapidation report if the downstairs neighbour wants to remove loadbearing walls?

I own a unit in a block of four.

The owners below me intend to renovate, including removing load-bearing walls.

The engineers have recommended a dilapidation report be prepared for my unit before the renovations begin.

Who is responsible for paying for this report?

If there is damage to my unit from their renovations, how would this be managed and funded?

Pierrette Khoury | Khoury Lawyers pierrette@khourylawyers.com.au

READ MORE ON THIS TOPIC HERE

A

The homeowner who is wishing to undertake the renovations is required to pay for this report.

The homeowner who is wishing to undertake the renovations is required to pay for this report and to restore the damage to any common property. This is ordinarily set out in the by-law which should be tabled at the annual general meeting or extraordinary general meeting.

It appears that the By-Law is likely to make provision for a dilapidation report, pre and post the works being undertaken.

A pre dilapidation report is ordinarily prepared and after the work is completed a post dilapidation report is prepared. This will determine whether any damage is caused.

The cost should not fall on you. Any damage which appears in the post dilapidation report should be borne by the owner undertaking the works.

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Can We Pay A $40,000 Special Levy In Full?

Andrew Terrell | Bright & Duggan Andrew.Terrell@bright-duggan.com.au

READ MORE ON THIS TOPIC HERE

We owners are being issued a $40,000 special levy.

The owners corporation are suggesting we pay in instalments over a 3 year period. We’ve been advised that we can’t pay in full, which is our preferred option. Is this the case?

A levy can definitely be paid off in advance, particularly given the full amount is known. The account would just remain in credit balance until enough levies have accrued against it to remove the balance.

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Checking For

Magnesite

As magnesite contains the presence of asbestos Owners Corporations in NSW should consider the WHS 2011 legislation and relevant Asbestos Handling Standards.

If magnesite has been found in an apartment, should the owners corporation check all the other units within the building?

If concrete cancer damage from magnesite has been found in an apartment, is it the strata/owners corporation’s responsibility to get an expert to check all the other units within the building? If the answer is yes, is there a particular type of inspection required or outlined in a building standard or DFT act?

As with each individual situation, independent expertise should be sort to fully understand the complexities of the Strata Plan and individual situations relating to the above question.

There are many factors to consider. Below we address the various elements of the question/s raised.

The Owners Corporation is responsible for maintaining and repairing the common property.

SSMA Section 9 (3) (c). having and keeping up to date the maintenance schedule Sections 15 & 16. There is also Section 80 which requires the establishment of and maintaining of 10 Year Capital Works Fund.

Regarding the concrete cancer damage, the magnesite floor and reinforcement failure would be unrelated.

For reinforcement to corrode it needs at least two factors – moisture and oxygen.

For this to occur in a non-marine environment there must be a trigger, i.e., cracked concrete, open or unsealed control joint or inadequate concrete cover to the rebar.

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Point being, it’s not a perfect science and each case will have its own set of circumstances and repair method.

The most suitable skill set to complete an initial inspection would be an experienced Forensic Building Consultant. This way, they can make decisions of next actions, i.e., waterproof integrity issue would go down a different path to a corroded reinforcing path and these would be different again to any magnesite flooring failure.

If you try and get too specialised up front e.g. An Engineer and it’s discovered to be a symptom or influence outside their area of expertise, you can get the investigation off on the wrong foot.

Regarding if the Strata/Owners corporation is required to have an expert check all the other units within the building? Again, this is not a straightforward matter, however there is no requirement to ‘simply check the other floors’ just because one unit has concrete cancer, however as magnesite contains the presence of asbestos Owners Corporations in NSW should consider the WHS 2011 legislation and relevant Asbestos Handling Standards.

Magnesite flooring is water-soluble and consists of white asbestos that can return to an unbonded state should it be exposed to enough water. For this reason, checking the magnesite would be a good idea. Additionally, Owners Corporations not required to have annual inspections under WHS 2011 should, at the very least, have it included in the 10-year Capital Works Fund.

Additionally, where asbestos remains bonded the current laws allow the material to stay insitu and should not be disturbed.

Sedgwick highly recommends seeking independent advice as mentioned above regarding each individual situation. This information is not intended to be used as factual and legal advice for any given situation.

James McIntosh

Sedgwick Building Consultancy division james.mcintosh@au.sedgwick.com

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The Decision Making Process Waiving Late Fees

I’ve asked if my late fee Q charges can be waived and the strata manager states the request must be considered by the owners corporation via a meeting, which I may have to pay for. Is this correct?

Due to some unfortunate circumstances over the last 2 years, I have been late in paying levies and whilst they are always paid despite being late, have accrued both late fees and interest which I did not notice. This has resulted in an arrears amount of $182 to date. This amount is made up of purely fees and not levies.

I asked the Strata Manager if, under the circumstances, this could be waived. The Strata Manager advised that an AGM has to be called to ask the Owners Corporation and if an EGM is called instead, it will be at my cost ($396 + disbursements). I find this excessive.

For a request of this nature, why does it necessitate any type of GM? Can it not just be decided amongst the Owners Corporation informally, as it’s a circumstantial one-off request?

Due to some unfortunate circumstances over the last 2 years, I have been late in paying levies and whilst they are always paid despite being late, have accrued both late fees and interest which I did not notice. This has resulted in an arrears amount of $182 to date. This amount is made up of purely fees and not levies.

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I asked the Strata Manager if, under the circumstances, this could be waived. The Strata Manager advised that an AGM has to be called to ask the Owners Corporation and if an EGM is called instead, it will be at my cost ($396 + disbursements). I find this excessive.

For a request of this nature, why does it necessitate any type of GM? Can it not just be decided amongst the Owners Corporation informally, as it’s a circumstantial one-off request?

A

There is no informal decision making capabilities by the Owners Corporation only at a General Meeting

With decision making in Strata there are only three ways that decisions can be made which are: 1. B y the Owners Corporation at a General meeting, 2. T he decision of the Strata Committee at a meeting and 3. U nder delegated authority by an appointed strata manager.

The amount of interest is dictated by Section 85 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015, included below for ease of reference.

This section also specifies that it is the Owners Corporation that has the ability to waive that interest. There is no informal decision making capabilities by the Owners Corporation only at a General Meeting so the strata manager is correct in that regards.

There is of course an option for you of requesting a motion on the Annual General Meeting if you have one coming up.

I would suggest though that the $182 is not just interest but also fees payable by you for late notices being issues which is common in the strata profession. These fees will be prescribed by the strata managers Agreement/ Contract.

Some strata managers are willing to waive these fees, if for example the individual has not previously been late in payment, but there is nothing dictated in the Act in regards to these fees.

into payment plans, either generally or in particular cases, for the payment of overdue contributions. A payment plan is to be limited to a period of 12 months but a further plan may be agreed to by the owners corporation by resolution.

6. T he regulations may prescribe requirements for payment plans.

7. T he existence of a payment plan does not limit any right of the owners corporation to take action to recover the amount of unpaid contributions.

8. T he Tribunal or a court may, on application by an owner, order that no interest is chargeable on a specified contribution if the Tribunal or the court is satisfied that the owners corporation should reasonably have made a determination not to charge interest for the late contribution.

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Robert Fothergill | Strata Life Robert@thestratalife.com.au

85 Interest, discounts on contributions and payment plans 1. A contribution, if not paid when it becomes due and payable, bears until paid simple interest at an annual rate of 10% or, if the regulations provide for another rate, that other rate.

2. Interest is not payable if the contribution is paid not later than one month after it becomes due and payable.

3. However, an owners corporation may by resolution determine (either generally or in a particular case) that a contribution is to bear no interest.

4. An owners corporation may, by resolution at a general meeting, determine (either generally or in a particular case) that a person may pay 10% less of a contribution levied if the person pays the contribution before the date on which it becomes due and payable.

5. An owners corporation may, by resolution at a general meeting, agree to enter 21

A Fair Share of a Storage Space We have a common Q property storage area shared by all lot owners. One lot owner takes up over half of the space.

How can we ensure everyone’s has fair use of the space?

I own a unit in a complex of 4 lots. There is a common property room behind the shared laundry room which is currently being used as a storage area by the owners.

One owner is taking up 60% of the space with items densely packed on top of each other, making it hard to access the common property.

The other 3 owners utilise the remaining 40% of the space between themselves. There is no existing by-law justifying the one unit’s unequal use of this common property.

I would like to propose a fair and equal use of the area, by installing strong storage shelves and allocating 25% of them to each unit owner.

This would also provide safe access to all of the items with a decent walkway space.

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What is the best way to have this agreed upon and enforced at an AGM? Would some kind of by-law need to be created and voted on?

If there is no way to do this sharing proposal or it gets voted down, how can we at least tackle the obstruction of the common property element this one unit is causing?

Lot owners are coA owners of the common property and this means no lot owner can exclude another from using a common property area unless there is a common property rights by-law.

Exclusive use of common property areas such as storage can be granted to lot owners under a common property rights by-law (also known as an exclusive use by-law).

Exclusive use means one person has use of a particular area to the exclusion of others and in the context of strata, this is achieved by passing a common property rights by-law

under the Part 7 Division 3 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (SSMA 2015). The lot owner gaining exclusive use must provide their written consent to the bylaw before the general meeting that passes the by-law and the by-law must be approved by a special resolution.

If a common property rights by-law is voted down by a general meeting then the owners corporation and other lot owners could take legal action to stop the offending lot owner using more than their fair share of the store room.

Generally speaking, lot owners are coowners of the common property and this means no lot owner can exclude another from using a common property area unless there is a common property rights by-law.

A lot owner who exclusively uses common property without such a by-law so that other lot owners cannot use the area is arguably committing a legal wrong.

to the effect that a lot owner or occupier must not use or enjoy the common property in a manner or for a purpose that interferes unreasonably with the use or enjoyment of the common property by the owner or occupier of any other lot.

The lot owner would also be breaching model by-law 4 which provides to the effect that an owner or occupier of a lot must not obstruct lawful use of common property by any person except on a temporary and non-recurring basis.

A breach of section 153(1)(b) and model by-law 4 should entitle both the owners corporation and other lot owners to seek an order from NCAT to restrain the offending lot owner exclusively using the common property area without an exclusive use by-law.

READ MORE ON THIS TOPIC HERE

Carlo Fini | Lewis & Charles Lawyers carlofini@lewischarles.com.au

The lot owner would be breaching section 153 (1)(b) of the SSMA 2015 which provides 23

When You've Got a Condo Commando in Your Building

Q

We’ve had a new arrival in our peaceful scheme who is bullying, breaks bylaws, wants to sack the strata manager and just wants control. What do we do?

We are a strata of 8 villas. We had a new arrival a few months ago who has broken over 12 Strata Laws without permission. We have reported and lodged our concerns and have a date for mediation with the Dept of Fair Trading soon.

The new owner wants to get rid of the Strata Manager and take control. Most lot owners do not feel this resident has the ability, however, 2 owners have bought into his story.

Our strata manager is helpful but not assertive and is also overwhelmed by this new owner’s attitude and persistence! I have lived here peacefully for 46 years and now feel I am being forced out! I don’t even know where to start…

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A

You need to speak to your strata manager about strategies on who you let onto your strata committee.

You’ve got a condo commando in your building? It’s hard, isn’t it?

It sounds like your strata manager is trying really hard. People use all sorts of tactics, including bullying and harassment, to get what they want in strata schemes. It’s the ugly truth.

We’ve seen it firsthand. It’s terrible, really.

Evil people prevail when good people stand around and do nothing. The four or five owners who are really interested in the strata scheme, and have been doing a good job, they all need to keep coming to the annual general meeting.

You need to speak to your strata manager about strategies on who you let onto your strata committee. I was actually going to talk about this, but I didn’t know if I was too political, ‘Who you let onto your strata committee’.

A lot of my buildings Don’t let everyone on.

People think because they’re an owner, that they have an entitlement to be on the strata committee, when often their motives are wrong. My advice to my buildings is don’t let them on because it’s just going to take things in the direction that’s not in line with the legislation or anyone’s best interest.

You have to be strong. This problem may be here to stay. Your options are to continue to unite and support your strata manager or to roll over or sell.

Most of my buildings would just take a stand and continue to stay strong and stay united.

You may need to spend some money on lawyers to resolve this. This person may not go away.

I heard a crazy story once about a block where an owner was so bad that the other owners raised a special levy or raised money to buy this owner out at an elevated price on the basis that they signed a deed never to return to their strata. Now guess where this owner bought: Into another strata scheme!

My advice to you is to keep turning up to the meetings, supporting your strata manager if they’re doing a good job and be strong.

READ MORE ON THIS TOPIC HERE

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

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LATEST STRATA DEVELOPMENTS The Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Sustainability Infrastructure) Act, 2021 No 1 (NSW) (the “Amendment Act”) has introduced important amendments to the Strata Schemes Management Act, 2015 (NSW)(the “Act”).

KEEPING OF ANIMALS You may have seen the media coverage of the landmark NSW Court of Appeal decision in Cooper v The Owners – Strata Plan No. 58068 [2020] NSWCA 250 (“Cooper”) which held that by-laws containing blanket prohibitions on pets were harsh, unconscionable or oppressive – as a result, the now famous dog “Angus” is permitted to stay at Horizon, a strata building in Darlinghurst. Importantly, the Act has now been amended to enshrine these provisions into the Act and take effect on 24th August 2021.

Interestingly, it will now be deemed “reasonable” to keep an animal unless the keeping of the animal “unreasonably” interferes with another occupant’s use and enjoyment of the occupant’s lot or the common property.

The amendments have far-reaching implications for an owners corporation, as a decision to refuse a pet application pursuant to existing by-laws may now be subject to challenge. Consideration of pet applications will now be time sensitive – owners corporation’s should expeditiously consider such applications because failure to advise of the outcome of the application within a “reasonable” period of time, is now deemed approval to keep the animal.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AMENDMENTS Not only is it now easier for occupiers to keep animals, the Amendment Act also makes it easier to install “sustainability infrastructure” on the common property.

“Sustainability infrastructure” is essentially any change to the common property: • to reduce the consumption of energy or water or to increase the efficiency of its consumption • to reduce or prevent pollution • to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill • to increase the recovery or recycling of materials • to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and • to facilitate the use of sustainable forms of transport (eg installing electric vehicle charging stations).

A new concept of the “sustainability infrastructure resolution” passes as a simple majority vote, so for example, an owner wishing to install solar panels will only need a majority votes as opposed to a “special resolution”.

MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS The Amendment Act also: • NCAT applications - imposes on an owners corporation the responsibility for the service of notices regarding applications to NCAT • Civil penalties - enables applications to NCAT for a civil penalty up to $5,500 against a person who has contravened an order of the Tribunal • Proxies - permits a person who owns more than one lot in a strata scheme to nominate one individual to act as a proxy for all the lots owned by that owner • Proxies - provides that a nomination of a proxy for a meeting is not rendered invalid if the meeting is adjourned • Secret ballots - prevents records of secret ballots from being disclosed as part of strata inspection of the books and records of the owners corporation • By-laws to tenants - removes the duplicated requirement to give a tenant a copy of the by-laws for a strata scheme

Further extension of strata and community lands COVID-19 Regulations Strata Community Australia (“SCA”) (NSW) has confirmed with the NSW State Government that the emergency regulation permitting strata meetings to be held remotely will be reinstated from Wednesday 21st July 2021.

We recommend that all owners corporations review their pet keeping position – we would be pleased to assist you in this regard to ensure your keeping of pets by-laws comply with the new Section 137B”.

premiumstrata.com.au | info@premiumstrata.com.au Suite 3, Level 2, 189 O’Riordan St Mascot NSW 2020 T 02 9281 6440 | F 02 9211 5642

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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

ACCOUNTANTS Tinworth & Co

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

Future Advisory

Victoria’s Auditor of Owners Corporation Financial Reports

P: 1300 225 888 W: https://www.futureadvisory.com.au/ E: michael@futureadvisory.com.au

BUILDING ENGINEERS & INSPECTORS 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

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Gallagher Jeffs

Voltin

Landlay Consulting Group

Roscon

Move Forward with Confidence P: 03 8610 3888 W: https://www.gallagherjeffs.com.au/ E: communication@gj.com.au A Strata Remedial Consultancy P: 02 8095 8556 W: https://www.landlay.com.au/ E: admin@landlay.com.au

10,000 safer cities P: 1800865846 W: https://www.voltin.com.au/ E: accounts@voltin.com.au Property services & facilities management P: 1800 767 266 W: https://www.roscon.com.au/ E: info@roscon.com

Auric Projects

Core Project Consulting

Sedgwick

Seymour Consultants

Leary & Partners

Forte Asset Services

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

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

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Independent Expertise. We’ve got you covered!

P: 02 8961 3250 W: https://core.engineering/ E: admin@core.engineering

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

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

FACILITY MANAGEMENT LUNA

Building and Facilities Manager P: 1800 00 LUNA (5862) W: https://www.luna.management/ E: info@luna.management

Malyon Facilities Management Pty Ltd

Commercial growth & sustainability in facilities P: 0414 786 982 W: https://www.malyon.com.au/ E: rob@malyon.com.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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INSURANCE Strata Insurance Solutions

Online strata insurance quotes 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

STRATA LAWYERS 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

PRINT YOUR DIRECTORY HERE 34 www.lookupstrata.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

Lewis & Charles Lawyers

Law shouldn’t be hard, so we’ve made law easy P: 02 9159 9053 W: https://www.lewischarles.com.au/ E: carlofini@lewischarles.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

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: 1300 851 585 W: https://lannock.com.au/ E: strata@lannock.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

Vital Strata

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

STRATA REPORTS

Bright & Duggan

EYEON Property Inspections

Sky Living Strata

BIV Reports

Stone Real Estate

Covid19 Plans

Strata Professionals P: 02 9902 7100 W: https://bright-duggan.com.au/ E: customercare@bright-duggan.com.au Providing a superior customer experience P: 02 9299 1100 W: https://www.skylivingstrata.com.au/ E: enquiries@skylivingstrata.com.au We provide a unique level of service P: 02 4345 0490 W: https://helenhughesproperty.com.au/ E: helen@helenhughesproperty.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

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

CLEANING Strata Shop Online

Cleaning supplies, software and signs P: 0468 455 390 W: https://www.stratashoponline.com.au/ E: tony.s@acebodycorp.com.au

Pacific Facility Services

Strata Property Cleaning & Ground Maintenance Services

P: 1300 378 388 W: http://www.pacificfs.com.au/ E: a.smith@pacificfs.com.au

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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OZ Bin Cleaning

The Bin Cleaning & Hygiene Professionals P: 1300 651 165 W: https://www.ozbincleaning.com.au/ E: penny@ozbincleaning.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

DEFECT RESTORATION TD Equipment and Trade Hire

Maintenance Roofing and Cleaning Services P: 0403 032 229 E: tamika@tdequipmenthire.com

Klaar

The Strata Building Specialists P: 02 8003 4547 W: https://klaar.com.au/ E: build@klaar.com.au

Johns Lyng Group

24/7 Response P: 1300 736 000 W: https://www.johnslyng.com.au/ E: strata@johnslyng.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

36 www.lookupstrata.com.au

McIntosh Electrical Pty Ltd

Powered by Trust P: 1300 627 727 W: https://www.mcintoshelectrical.com.au/ E: jenny@mcintoshelectrical.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

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PLUMBING Sydney Central Pumps

Fixing Pump Problems within 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

Australia’s strata replacement window & door specialists

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

The Window Guy

Inspection, Repair and Maintenance of drainage assets

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

Window Hardware Maintenance P: 1300 663 664 W: https://www.thewindowguy.com.au/ E: info@thewindowguy.com.au

SAFETY & SECURITY

Select Window Installations

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

WATERPROOFING Superseal Protective Coatings (SPC) Waterproofing & Epoxy Specialists P: 02 9774 1004 W: https://www.spcau.com/ E: info@spcau.com

Windows & door replacement specialists P: 02 9938 1500 W: https://www.selectwindows.com.au/ E: sales@selectwindows.com.au

SUSTAINABILITY & ENERGY 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

LIFTS & ELEVATORS

Danrae Group

Equity Elevator Consultants

Remedial Waterproofing & Building Specialists P: 1800 326 723 W: https://www.danraegroup.com.au/ E: enquiries@danrae.com.au

Saving our clients time and money P: 1300 080 816 W: https://www.liftsconsultant.com/ E: enquiry@equityelevator.com.au

The Superseal Group

Innovative Lift Consulting Pty Ltd

Trusted Experts in all aspects of Waterproofing P: 07 5519 4916 W: https://supersealgroup.com/ E: admin@supersealgroup.com

Australia’s Vertical Transportation Consultants P: 0417 784 245 W: https://www.ilcpl.com.au/ E: bfulcher@ilcpl.com.au

FRANCHISERS Network Pacific Strata Franchise

PRINT YOUR DIRECTORY HERE

Join our successful team P: 03 9999 5488 W: www.networkpacificstratafranchise.com.au/ E: networkpacific@franchisedevelopments.com.au 37

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