The VIC Strata Magazine | February 2023

The VIC STRATA MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY 2023

We helped large owners corporation in Docklands to save $4,123 Page 12 | Strata Management Consultants

The OC says it’s owner’s responsibility, but the insurance pushes it back on the building

Page 14 | Strata Insurance Solution

Can I use a common property power point to charge my hybrid car?

Page 18 | The Knight

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.

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

20 Who pays for a replacement letterbox key?

Callum Wilson, Bright & Duggan

22 Committee member’s conflict of interest

Stratabase Holdings

24 Communication is key to a Strata Community living together in harmony CommVision

26 Can the OC call in a strata loan without consulting owners?

Sim Firns, The Knight

28 Contractor changes scope of work

Matt Osborne, Elite BMA

30 Decision to change all locks in the building

Sim

Thanks to our sponsors

Wait now, pay later.

There has been a lot of discussion about record increases in the price of real estate recently but there is a more pressing issue that strata owners need to be aware of – the rising cost of construction works.

A combination of booming demand, labour shortage, material shortages and supply chain disruptions are creating the perfect storm for increased construction costs.

According to CoreLogic’s Research Director Tim Lawless, the heightened construction activity and rising costs experienced across Australia won’t be going away soon and will likely cause affordability challenges for owners across the country.

“The quarterly rate of growth in construction costs is happening

everywhere and is not restricted to one city or state, it’s a national trend,” he said. “This construction cost inflation could continue for another 12 to 18 months. It’s unlikely the industry can absorb a cost increase this significant into their margins and higher construction costs will ultimately be passed on to the consumer, placing further upwards pressure on the price of a new dwelling or renovation.”

“The quarterly rate of growth in construction costs is happening everywhere and is not restricted to one city or state, it’s a national trend,”

Already we’ve seen just how much pressure

is being placed on the construction industry, with Probuild and Condev both going into liquidation in recent weeks.

In short, costs are going up and the construction industry is buckling under the pressure.

The more you delay, the more you will pay.

Owners corporations who choose to delay any rectification, maintenance or uplift work on their property may be setting themselves up for a shock later on.

Regarding funding of any works, the corporation always has three options: to accumulate a Maintenance Fund over time, to have a Special Levy or to Borrow (or a combination of these three methods).

This article is brought to you by Lannock Strata Finance.

It takes time to accumulate moneys in a Maintenance Fund. Special Levies should be a quick solution but will be delayed if there are owners who find the cash flow impost too large.

“In short, costs are going up and the construction industry is buckling under the pressure. ”

A strata loan is immediate, unsecured and does not involve a mortgage, personal financials or guarantees.

So, what’s the right decision?

As with any big decision, it’s important to be informed. If your clients are looking at rectifying

defects or considering maintenance or renewal/ uplift projects over the next few years, it will be important to discuss with them the implications should they choose to delay the works.

Do you have a strata project that is needing finance?

We can help you with the finance you need for your next strata project.

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

Changing the landscape of consumer protection

Life comes with unexpected surprises, not all good. The same can be said for the construction industry, frequently plagued by supply chain disruptions, cashflow constraints, labour shortages, cost increases and defective construction. The latter often leaves consumers to pursue contractors on their own, with few options to address these issues, or feeling that costly litigation is their only recourse.

That said, the industry appears to be shifting towards a more consumer-centric market. With over 340,000 strata schemes across the country, owners have the right to expect a quality product.

BETTER CHOICES, LESS DISTRESS

For the first time in Australia, purchasers have an evidence-based rating to make an informed choice when purchasing a property. The independent construction industry rating tool - iCIRT- helps purchasers know which businesses are best equipped to build quality assets.

Created by Equifax in conjunction with the NSW government, key industry bodies and consumer stakeholders, iCIRT will improve trust and transparency in the construction industry. Trustworthy constructors that attain three gold stars or higher (maximum five) are recognised on a register at www.buildrating.com

To obtain a gold-rating, constructors must participate in an independent and rigorous review of their entire business. This process rewards those that perform highly while calling attention to those that don’t.

Karen Stiles, Executive Director of the Owners Corporation Network (OCN), confirms they support a simple star rating system to help purchasers make better choices, and reduce the risk of dealing with building defects. To drive proactive change, we need to work together — consumer, industry and government — by investing in and taking advantage of the programs available.

MANAGEMENT

High-rise residential strata buildings have been in the spotlight globally, with highly publicised structural failures resulting in assets being condemned, buildings deemed uninhabitable, and even injury and deaths. In 2021, the NSW building commissioner’s office indicated that 39% of NSW buildings presented serious defects. Extrapolated nationally, that alarming figure would indicate nearly 80% of new apartments could suffer from serious defects.

In response, Resilience Insurance introduced latent defect insurance (LDI). iCIRT-rated developers can earn additional financial benefits, further protecting consumers with a 10-year insurance policy. This could change how Australia delivers quality buildings to consumers.

Corey Nugent, CEO at Resilience Insurance, explains that as one element of recent building industry reforms, LDI drives improved consumer confidence. More importantly, consumers will discover their bargaining power, demanding transparency in delivery and security of built assets.

LDI provides cover against loss from physical damage arising out of inherent defects within 10 years of the completion date. The cover extends to issues relevant to the structural works and building envelope, including waterproofing.

This is a new era of claims management. By monitoring performance throughout construction, LDI gives consumers an additional layer of quality assurance, ensuring buildings are constructed to the appropriate standards and comply with design and engineering specifications.

SEDGWICK BUILDING CONSULTANCY DIVISION

To navigate this ever-changing landscape, we must continue to adapt and challenge the norm — even as we’re asked to do things faster and more costeffectively, whilst keeping the consumer front of mind.

In working alongside Resilience Insurance, Equifax, and consumer advocacy groups like the OCN, Sedgwick has become a trusted partner in the industry.

We have been providing expert building consultancy services for the past 20 years. As the largest home warranty specialist consultancy firm in Australia, Sedgwick has extensive capability in forensic building consultancy, technical inspection service (TIS), policy assessments, preparation of scopes of work, tender validation processes and construction management. We specialise in managing remediation work within the residential, multi-storey residential and mixed-use strata complex landscapes.

For more information, please contact sales@au.sedgwick.com

James McIntosh National manager, technical services

M. +61 420 959 938

E. james.mcintosh@au.sedgwick.com

Morris Mellinger Construction manager

M. +61 408 371 353

E. morris.mellinger@au.sedgwick.com

Repairing damage during the insurance dispute resolution process

While waiting for dispute resolution on a claim, can you repair damaged areas?

Repairing during dispute resolution is something I would highly recommend if you have the means to do so.

Absolutely. Yes, you should. If the insurer has assessed and denied the claim, conducting repairs will not be prejudicial to your claim.

Repairing during dispute resolution is something I would highly recommend if you have the means to do so. The reason why this can be useful for you is if the insurance company is using expert witnesses and you engage a builder to do the repairs, they might find something that the expert witnesses have said which isn’t right or correct. Repairing damage with a qualified builder or tradesman

is a really good opportunity for you to get information about the insurer’s expert witness report and you may get that advice for free.

If you’re paying a builder to do a repair, they’re probably more than happy to put a few sentences together in an email as to whether they disagree with a certain report and why. Also, carrying out repairs at that stage is going to help you in quantifying your loss. If you’ve got the final invoice, you can add that to your dispute submission.

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

SMARTPHONE ACCESS CONTROL

Security. Convenience.

Two words you don't often see in the same sentence. Just ask anyone who's had to replace a key or a fob or arrange for friends and relatives to share their strata facilities.

Click to Access (C2A) is a new smartphone tool that seamlessly delivers reliable access control for common property. It manages permissions, simplifies security administration, and creates smarter more secure buildings.

Security risks associated with traditional key administration are eliminated by controlling and logging who enters, what time they can enter, and through which entry point – all from MIMOR’s cloud-based dashboard.

HOW IT WORKS

C2A communicates to access readers on entry points and connects mobile devices to verify credentials. Access to a building is granted via the MIMOR's dashboard, and an SMS or email link is used to gain access.

Mobile access control is also touchless since users can open doors without touching surfaces.

Subscriptions are scalable, from three apartments to more than 500.

BENEFITS

There are obvious benefits for individual owners who can easily create and revoke permissions for visitors using the tool. These include simplifying logistics for short-term letting but also anyone inviting family or friends to visit or providing access to cleaners.

• Strata professionals, property and building managers and committees can also grant and revoke mobile credentials at any time – slashing admin times, reducing site visits, and increasing building security.

• Physical keys and fobs are easily lost or copied and expensive to replace. There is also significant administration time spent arranging new keys and coding new fobs.

• C2A is safer, more secure, and simpler to manage. The feature can be added to entry points including individual apartment and building front doors, garage doors and other entry and exit points without modification to the existing security system.

• C2A provides an efficient system for shared amenity spaces. Residents can book BBQ areas, tennis courts and so on via the MIMOR dashboard, gaining keyless access via their mobile phone which activates at their booking time. Access is therefore restricted to only those booked. The system keeps a real-time log of attempted access and users.

• Access for tradespeople is also simplified. C2A provides remote access control and tracks when trades enter and exit buildings – simplifying the process for strata professionals & building managers, saving the need for a site visit, and mitigating security risks around the sharing of codes. C2A can provide access to all required areas or front door and codeless key safe access.

• For buildings with short-stay apartments, there’s no need for a physical key hand-over or multiple unsightly and insecure key safes on the outside of buildings. Guests are provided with a secure access link, activated remotely at check-in time, and deactivated on check-out. Owners can also opt to install C2A on their front doors, eliminating physical keys altogether.

• Entering a property using a mobile phone makes end-of-lease and move-ins seamless for tenants and property staff. Property managers can grant access remotely to front doors, garages etc., to let end-of-lease cleaners in or aid new tenant move-ins.

We Helped Large Owners Corporation in Docklands to Save $4,123

In January 2021, Dennis contacted us about his building in Docklands. The building was a block of apartments that had been managed by the same management company for many years and things were getting worse rather than better.

The OC management company’s contract has already been put onto a month-to-month basis by the Committee as they knew that things had to change and they wanted the flexibility to explore their options. The Committee had concerns about the OC management, the building management (which a company aligned to the management company), and the running of their building.

We sat with the Committee Members to understand some of their concerns in detail and talk through viable, tangible solutions. The Committee after their deliberations engaged Strata Consultants to assist them through the process of changing OC Management.

Qualified OC Management Companies

Strata Consultants was established in early 2014 – and every OC management company we work with is carefully vetted and scrutinised by us. We look for the following 5 qualities:

1. OC experience and relevant qualifications

2. Service and key service metrics

3. Integrity & values

4. Dedicated strata software platform, systems, and processes

5. On-going professional learning and training initiatives

Our industry expertise and industry knowledge takes the guesswork out of changing management companies.

Changing Owners Corporation Managers — Docklands, VIC

We spent a number of hours at the building with the Committee in understanding their Plan of Subdivision (as it contained numerous OCs), undertaking a building walkthrough, and discussing the needs/wants/expectations of the Committee in terms of management.

We compiled a detailed RFT with information and specifications particular to their building, we conducted a tender process. We met again with the Committee and helped them to understand all the new OC management proposals in terms of their offerings, qualities, and costs.

The Committee, after review and discussions, decided on a shortlist of 2 qualified OC management companies to interview. We held discussions with them as to what questions should be on their list of interview questions and assisted in organising the interviews.

After a thorough due diligence process, the Committee appointed a new OC management company not only better in many regards but one that was also less expensive than the previous company.

We helped the Committee to help save all owners in the owners corporation in Docklands $4,123 per year on their strata / OC management costs.

Testimonial from the Committee

From the first contact with David Lin, I personally as the chair, and our OC Committee had a very easy and professional experience. Our aim to find an OC management company for our apartment complex was made so easy due to David's industry experience and detailed knowledge of the complex regulations and responsibilities surrounding OC issues.

The communication was careful, and the process was explained in great detail.

We wanted independent advice, and that is what we got. David was happy to spend lots of time answering questions and explaining our options, often at all sorts of odd hours.

In the end, we achieved our goal, and have started the complex transition process of changing management companies.

This could have been much longer and unreliable without Strata's and David's help. I am happy to recommend Strata to anyone who needs to go through drought process.

Chair, OC Committee

Thinking About Changing Strata Management Companies?

Take the first step in process of changing owners corporation management companies for your property in Docklands by speaking to a Strata Management Consultant at 1300 917 848.

Feel free to also send us an email on office@strataconsultants.com.au

There is a leak between a top and bottom unit. The OC says it is an owner issue but the insurance company sites the problem is a building issue.

Who is responsible?

In our 25 unit complex, there is water leaking between the open terrace of one lot and the inside unit of the lot beneath. The strata plan shows lot boundaries as ‘median’.

The OC says this is a lot issue between the two lots concerning private property and as it is not common property, it is not their responsibility.

Neither lot owner’s insurance will cover the damage. They site that the problem is a building issue and comes under the owners corporation’s strata insurance.

How do we resolve this?

The OC says it’s owner’s responsibility, but the insurance pushes it back on the building

The strata insurance policy is the most appropriate policy to respond to this claim as a lot owners “contents” policy does not cover the building. Whilst the “building” is covered by the policy, we need to understand whether the “event” itself is covered or excluded.

We expect that some (or all) of the claim may not be covered. Water damage claims are our most contested claims with insurers because there is often a component of maintenance and also repair of water damage. Strata insurance is designed to cover the cost to repair water damage to insured property but generally excludes repair costs related to finding and fixing the leak, as it is generally considered the owner’s responsibility to maintain their property and such repairs relate to general maintenance or wear

and tear. The insurer has exclusions such as lack of maintenance, rust, oxidation, wear and tear, corrosion, gradual deterioration, developing flaws, building defects, the rectification of faulty workmanship etc.

So based on the limited information, the water damage that has resulted from the leak may be considered but fixing the leak may not. If the cost of the water damage component of the claim exceeds the excess, a claim can be lodged.

For anything not covered by the insurance claim, the owner of the property is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the property unless they can demonstrate another party is liable for the damage (for example the bottom unit may be able to demonstrate the top unit is liable).

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

based on the limited information, the water damage that has resulted from the leak may be considered, but fixing the leak may not.

Our neighbour’s AC has been installed on our wall

The neighbour upstairs is installing an air conditioner on our wall. We’ve never been asked about the installation. How do we have it moved?

Our upstairs neighbour is installing an air conditioner. Although there appears to be room on their wall to install the unit, they’re installing it on the exterior back wall of our apartment. We have not received any information or request for this installation.

The owners of the unit refuse to reconsider. Do they have the authority to install the unit on this wall? How can we have the unit moved?

Clarify the ‘ownership’ of the wall and the surrounding lot boundaries with your OC Manager before considering your next steps.

I suggest clarifying the ‘ownership’ of the wall and the surrounding lot boundaries with your OC Manager before considering your next steps, along with receiving confirmation as to whether the OC Committee approved the installation.

Although you’ve said it is ‘your’ wall, it is often the case that the outer half of a wall is the property of the Owners Corporation. If this is the case and the OC Committee has provided approval for the installation, you

would need to submit a formal OC complaint seeking its removal/repositioning. If the OC Committee has not approved the installation, they should be informed and the OC Manager will help them arrange removal or repositioning elsewhere. Please note, however, that there have been instances where OC’s have tried to order removal/repositioning of an air conditioner and failed because the courts deemed it unreasonable to have to do so. Unless you can prove the air conditioner is genuinely impacting your peaceful enjoyment of the property, you and/or the OC may have difficulty attaining your desired solution.

If the wall is private (entirely owned by yourself and/or within your private lot boundary), you are entitled to arrange the air conditioner’s removal from your property however I recommend being careful not to damage it. If you wanted to proceed down this route, I’d strongly recommend giving the owner of the air conditioner a written warning to give them a final opportunity to remove it.

If in doubt or neither of the above suggestions are fruitful, I recommend seeking independent legal advice.

Callum Wilson | Bright & Duggan callum.wilson@bright-duggan.com.au

READ MORE HERE

E x pertOwnersCorporationsLawyers

Tisher Liner FC Law provides quality and cost effective legal services to Owners Corporations and their Managers across Victoria and the ACT

Our highly experienced team provide quality assistance to owners corporations, committees, lot owners and managers of owners corporations in a wide variety of legal matters including:

• General advice and governance;

• Interpretation of plans of subdivision, common and private lot boundaries;

• Levy recovery;

• Domestical building dispute claims and Water Act claims;

• Adverse possession and compulsory acquisitions;

To see a list of matters we've been successful in or to access our OC information resources please visit our website or sign up to our blog.

• Easement and amendments to plans of subdivisions;

• Creation and enforcement of owners corporation rules;

• Preparing leases and licences over common property;

• Advice on repairs and maintenance and application of the Benefit Principle; and

• Prosecuting and defending claims made at VCAT by Owners Corporations and Lot owners

Can I use a common property power point to charge my hybrid car?

I’ve ignored the building manager’s email, continued to charge my car via common property power and sent a complaint to the owners corporation. I have not received a response from the committee. The building manager has sent me another email with a second warning.

What should I do? Surely this issue will become more prevalent as a growing number of lot owners purchase EVs.

The most effective recourse would be for you to engage with the building manager and strata manager to investigate charging options that would be acceptable to the community.

My hybrid car requires an AC charger but my building only has DC chargers. I use a common property power point to charge the car but have been told that this is not allowed. What do I do now?

One of the main reasons I purchased my apartment last year was because the building has EV charging stations. I recently bought a hybrid car. Since then, I found out there are only DC fast chargers available, while I need an AC charger.

I have checked our owners cooperation rules, but there is not any reference to EV chargers.

I’m paying owners corporation fees but I’m not accessing the facilities.

The DC EV charger is common property and makes up part of my levies, so I’ve been charging my car from a power plug on common property near my parking lot. My car only needs 7kw to charge and I’m using a certificated charging cable that is safe in a common area.

I’ve received an email from the building manager stating I can’t use the power point because it is common area power, and not for private use.

Many apartments now are wrestling with how to accommodate EV charging, particularly as many apartments were built well before the concept even existed. Residents with electric vehicles should ensure there is adequate EV Charging for their needs before purchasing or moving into a property. This means also checking the number and type of chargers that are suitable for your needs.

You cannot use the common property power to charge your car. It effectively means that all the owners at your building are subsiding your private car charging.

The most effective recourse would be for you to engage with the building manager and strata manager to investigate charging options that would be acceptable to the community. This could involve engaging a private company to install an EV charger in your car space. This installation should be at your cost, as it is for your benefit only. Alternatively, if there is enough demand in the building, you could ask your strata committee to investigate installing an AC charger on common property.

Alex Smale | The Knight ella@theknight.com.au

A beginner’s guide to Owners Corporations.

All the OC basics, direct to your inbox.

4 weeks of emails

5 minutes per day downloadable eBook at finish

You will learn:

What is an Owners Corporation?

Who is the Owners Corporation Committee?

What is the Plan of Subdivision?

How do decisions get made?

What are levies and what do they cover? and much more!

Who pays for a replacement letterbox key?

QIf I misplace or damage my letterbox key, who is responsible to replace the key?

The occupier of the lot is responsible for the costs of replacing the key. The key (and the letterbox space) is used by that lot only, so it is not considered a common repair and maintenance responsibility.

Some owners corporations have a registered letterbox key system and thus the Manager may need to be contacted to arrange a new key (at the occupier’s cost). In all other situations, it is recommended that a locksmith is engaged privately to cut a new key(s).

Callum Wilson | Bright & Duggan

callum.wilson@bright-duggan.com.au

The occupier of the lot is responsible for the costs of replacing the key.

Project ManagementWho are Alpha14 Property Group?

Established in 2011 Alpha14 Property Group have proven project management experience having worked on over $1Billion worth of construction and development projects across a range of complex residential, commercial and industrial developments.

Alpha14 offer Project Management services to Owners Corporations; utilising our qualified engineers and project managers to provide expertise on projects such as building refurbishments, car stacker breakdown rectification and major building repairs and maintenance issues.

In addition, Alpha14 have undertaken a prequalification process and are on the Victorian Government Residential Cladding Rectification Register. We can provide Project Management Services to Owners Corporations to project manage the rectification and removal of combustible cladding products on residential buildings that have been identified through the Victorian State-wide Cladding Audit.

Owners CorporationsBenefits of using Alpha14 as your Project Manager

Alpha14 have engineering and project management qualifications and over 50 years of knowledge in the building and construction industry - giving confidence that all works are completed to the required standard.

We have the relevant experience and expertise to appropriately manage consultants and contractors for large scale issues and in addition we hold the necessary Professional Indemnity insurance cover, giving you peace of mind into the future.

Appointing Alpha14 and utilising our qualified project management team will add value to a project and dedicate the appropriate amount of time and expertise that a major project requires. Alpha14 have been engaged by multiple Owners Corporations to manage large projects – our experience provides confidence to residents when moving forward on important projects.

We would welcome your enquiry to determine if we may be able to assist you with our project management services; after initial discussions Alpha14 can prepare a scope of works and provide a project management proposal for consideration of the committee.

Committee member's conflict of interest

A committee member’s family owns a plumbing company. That company has been engaged to carry out extensive work in the building. Should the committee member have declared this conflict and been excused from the decision making process?

We have a committee member who works for his father’s plumbing company. The committee voted to engage the plumbing company to upgrade the building’s hot water system. The price for the work has gone from approx. $500k to over $1m. The committee member’s family are gaining financially from this work that could have been done for half the cost with another plumbing company.

The committee have issued owners with a special levy to cover the extra expense. Should the committee member have declared this conflict and been excused from the decision making process?

You may decide to lodge a formal complaint.

Under section 117 of the Act, committees and their members must perform their duties honestly and in good faith, with due care and diligence and in the interests of the owners corporation. Further, the Act states a member of a committee must not make improper use of the member’s position to gain, directly or indirectly, an advantage.

Also in regards to the costs you have quoted, section 24 of the Act states, in summary, that special levies may be raised to cover extraordinary items of expenditure however a special resolution (75% of lot entitlements) is required if the amount is more than twice the annual budget

You may decide to lodge a formal complaint in regard to this issue by referring to Part 10 –Dispute resolution – of the Act.

Stratabase Holdings info@stratabasemgt.com

Communication is key to a Strata Community living together in harmony

Residents turn to managers to entrust them with overseeing building maintenance and keeping residents fully informed of when works are being undertaken. Unsurprisingly, a lack of communication from managers is one of the biggest issues reported by unhappy residents.

Paper notices are a thing of the past as they are ine icient, unsustainable, costly and not environmentally friendly.

Commi ees are increasingly turning to digital notice boards as a solution which allows commi ee members and manager’s to seamlessly and remotely keep residents up to date throughout common area like li s, lobbies, gyms, mailrooms etc.

Important things to consider when selecting a company to install digital notice boards in your building:

• Zoned content: Notices and advertisements can be displayed on screen simultaneously, therefore ensuring that notices can always be seen;

• So ware: Bespoke to enable Managers to create professional looking notices from editable templates; not just a drag and drop feature;

• Url feeds detract from the aesthetic appeal of common areas.

• Hardware: Commercial grade so screen doesn’t burn out;

• Insurance: Protection against damage or the ;

• Warranty: Replacement if equipment is faulty;

• Screen types: Both li (touchscreen) and Common Area solutions;

• Integration: Can integrate with your existing Building Management app;

• Plans: O ering di erent plans with or without ads to make it more a ordable for your building.

Lookup Strata is fortunate to work with CommVision, Australia's leading and 1st to market provider of digital notice boards in the residential strata industry.

CommVision's expert care and exceptional service stand far above any competition and meet all the necessary criteria to satisfy any building requirements.

What is a digital notice board?

Digital notice boards are informative display screens, usually found within common areas such as li s or lobbies of a building. Having information displayed on an eye-catching screen ensures that Residents receive updates promptly. Touchscreens are rather handy when you’re in a li and want to scroll through the notices.

Strata Communication Best Practice

CommVision increases communication and awareness in buildings by installing their unique touchscreens in li s and larger screens for other common areas.

The bespoke residential so ware enables managers to create professional looking notices from an array of templates and schedule them to be displayed in advance, meaning residents are kept fully informed of building updates and community announcements.

Working with this system also provides the opportunity for strata commi ees to connect with and give back to the local community. All of this is done to make sure the residents feel seen and heard.

What are the benefits of digital notice boards?

One of the greatest benefits of having digital notice boards within a building is the "wow" factor. It is cu ing-edge technology that o ers a crystal-clear resolution that is bound to catch the a ention of Residents.

1) Increased Transparency: Having a central information hub for all residents is a fantastic way to reduce miscommunication or confusion around messages or interesting updates. This way, installing a digital notice board will guarantee that everyone receives the same information simultaneously.

2) Speedy Communication: A common complaint amongst those living in multiresidential complexes is the lack of speed with which managers respond to and act upon issues within a building. Having a digital display provides managers a platform to deliver updates in real-time, without the need for them to visit the property. Managers can e ortlessly update the screens from any device.

3) Local Community Support: Alongside o ering a seamless line of communication towards residents, CommVision works with local councils, news outlets, police, retailers, strata commi ee associations, and other management groups to keep residents informed of ma ers in their local areas.

This particularly useful perk allows managers to foster valuable connections with the surrounding community, including promoting communitybased events and fundraisers and expand their reach in a positive way.

4) Sustainability: As there is no need for paper with digital notice boards, there is a reduction in wastage when the information displayed becomes obsolete, outdated, or irrelevant. Plus, any information needing to be displayed can easily be uploaded remotely to the content management so ware, meaning a manager does not have to travel amongst the buildings they manage, thus reducing their carbon footprint.

Our owners corporation decided to call in s strata loan without consulting lot owners. Do they have the authority to do this?

Can

the OC call in a strata loan without consulting owners?

Our owners corporation decided to call in the loan taken out about 24 months ago, without consulting lot owners. This amount was added to a quarterly invoice without explanation and, upon querying the additional fee, we were advised that some owners wanted to pay the loan off to save on interest.

Does the owners corporation have the authority to call this loan in without consulting the owners or raising it at the AGM?

We suggest that you request a copy of the minutes of the meeting wherein the loan was resolved.

Firstly, when deciding to take out a loan, the owners corporation must determine whether a special resolution or an ordinary resolution is required to take out the loan. This will be determined by the total amount being borrowed. If the loan is more than twice the annual budget, the owners corporation will need to obtain a special resolution. Alternatively, if the loan is less than twice the annual budget, the committee have the power to pass an ordinary resolution to take out the loan.

Before agreeing to provide a loan, the lenders have strict requirements and guidelines that they must adhere to, such as requesting copies of the minutes of the meeting where the resolution was passed, balance sheets, insurance details and the financial documentation of the owners corporation over a number of financial years and the details of the committee members who will be authorised to sign off on the drawdown of the loan.

As noted above, the strata loan provider will provide a set of recommended resolutions, which it recommends the owners corporation pass, prior to approving a loan. These resolutions will also contain a delegation to the committee to make decisions on behalf of the owners corporation in respect to any aspect of the loan (such as drawdown, payout or increasing the loan amount).

These resolutions must also take into account the repayment of the loan (principal and interest) over the duration of the loan to ensure that the owners corporation has the necessary funds to make the monthly loan repayment. A levy would likely be resolved at this time to ensure the repayments could be made.

The loan may also stipulate that the owners corporation does not pay interest on the full amount, only on what has been drawn down.

You would need to check this with the owners corporation manager or the loan provider. It is therefore likely that your owners corporation committee have passed such resolutions in the first instance and hold the power to pay out the loan earlier than the agreed term. We suggest that you request a copy of the minutes of the meeting wherein the loan was resolved.

Alternatively, you can also contact the loan provider directly to discuss any technical requirements of the loan and the parameters surrounding the agreement to provide funding.

Sim Firns | The Knight ella@theknight.com.au

Contractor changes scope of work

We changed waste collection services. The new collection company does not empty every bin, every time even though we’ve signed a contract with them stating they do. How can we ensure they do what the contract states?

My owners corporation recently changed waste collection companies. During the process, we did our due diligence and made sure we were comparing like for like with companies and the submitted scopes of work.

We chose a company and, once engaged, discovered they refuse to empty half-full bins. This has led to our bins regularly overflowing, especially on weekends when there is no collection.

This was not mentioned in their quote, only the number of bins they would empty. If we want them to pick up every bin, every time, they will increase their price, even though we’ve signed a contract based on the initial scope. Is there anything we can do to prevent having to pay more?

Arrange the meeting as soon as practicable.

The ideal situation is to arrange a meeting between the waste removal company and a delegate of the owners corporation or two, usually the chairperson and treasurer. Ensure the committee agrees to a scope of work and have your needs written clearly in the contract. One of those needs would be to have all bins that have been placed out for collection emptied, regardless of how much waste is in them. Should there be a limit to the number of bins being collected by the service provider, this also should be made clear. You may also consider the number of recycled waste bins and electronic waste (e-waste) bins, if they provide them.

There is no reason for bins to have any amount of rubbish in them after collection so long as they are placed in the agreed location for collection and are in the agreement. Arrange the meeting as soon as practicable.

Matt Osborne | Elite BMA matt@elitebma.com

Good strata management hinges on regular communication and prompt service.

We are a small boutique style management company, keeping it simple and streamlined Due to the manageable size of our portfolio, communication is prompt and backed up with the necessary service and support.

At the end of the day, it is a service industry and reputations are based on the service and support that management companies provide.

If you as an owner are currently thinking that you are paying for poor service with little support and communication, why not give us a quick call? You may be pleasantly surprised.

‘‘A surprising approach to Strata Management’’

Decision to change all locks in the building

If the OC decides to change all lot door handles and locks, can they demand owner’s keys?

Our owners corporation has unilaterally decided to update all lot door handles and locks. Do they have the authority to force lot owners to change their locks and handles if an owner objects? Does the owners corporation have the right to demand a key from lot owners who have changed their locks over the years?

The owners corporation cannot unilaterally decide to update the door handles without a special resolution to do so.

Firstly, the owners corporation cannot unilaterally decide to update the door handles without a special resolution to do so as this would be considered a service to owners under Section 12 of the Owners Corporations Act 2006 (Vic) which states:

Provision of services to members and occupiers

1. An owners corporation, by special resolution, may decide—

a. to provide a service to lot owners or occupiers of lots or the public; or

b. to enter into agreements for the provision of services to lot owners or occupiers of lots.

2. An owners corporation may require a lot owner or occupier to whom a service has been provided to pay for the cost of providing the service to the lot owner or occupier.

A special resolution requires 75% of all lot owners to be in favour of the motion for it to carry/pass. If passed, the owners corporation would arrange for the works to be completed and paid for as an expense of the owners corporation. If the motion passed as an interim special resolution, it will become a special resolution of the owners corporation 29 days after the interim special resolution was passed, unless lot owners who hold more than 25% of the total votes for all of the lots on the plan of subdivision petition the secretary (which is usually the manager) against the resolution.

If you object to the works after the resolution has passed, we would suggest seeking independent legal advice to explore your rights. If the works are required to secure the property, the owners corporation may seek an order for compliance with the resolution.

The owners corporation does not have the right to demand a key to your private property. If access to your lot is required, the owners corporation must give a Notice of Entry under Section 51 of the Act.

1. The owners corporation must give at least 7 days’ notice in writing to the occupier of a lot of its intention to enter the lot unless—

a. the occupier agrees to a lesser time; or

b. there is an emergency. “emergency” includes—

i. an interruption to gas, water, electricity, telephone, drainage, sewerage or a similar service; and

ii. a leak or a similar problem requiring prompt attention; and

iii. cracking or a similar structural problem likely to affect the immediate safety of a building or any person.

Points to note:

We recommend checking your plan of subdivision to confirm the lot boundaries in the first instance to confirm whether the door and its hardware are common property or private property.

Further, your owners corporation may be subject to a registered key system for the overall security of the building. This means that the key must be cut by the registered installer, and it is recommended in the event of a security breach that the hardware is replaced by the registered installer. A registered key system also means that your apartment keys cannot be cut by any regular locksmith.

It is also important to check the rules of your owners corporation to ensure that the lock you are changing complies with the rules and will not affect the outward appearance of the property. If in doubt, it is wise to seek confirmation from the owners corporation via the manager, with the proposal and specifications of the lock you wish to instal.

Sim Firns | The Knight ella@theknight.com.au

New Year, New Pathways Open for Victorian Strata Communities

As we ' ve entered 2023, many of us have made resolutions to improve aspects of ourselves and our lifestyles, so that greater fulfilment and quality of life can be achieved well into the future.

However, the degree to which we follow through with our new years resolutions is often dubious Perhaps it is then time for us to reshape the way we look changing aspects of our lifestyle for the better, and why not start with where we live?

Free Event: Unlocking Sustainable Strata

Tuesday 28 March 2023, 6:30pm - 8:00pm (AEDT), Yarra City Council (Fitzroy Town Hall Reading Room)

1 6 million – 1 in 4 Victorians, live in strata-titled apartments, townhouses, villas and other properties where an owners corporation (formerly known as a body corporate) is responsible for the administration and maintenance of common property. This could be a car park, garden, rooftop, swimming pool or gym, among many other examples

In coming decades, strata living is predicted to exponentially grow in popularity among Victorians, accounting for up to 50 per cent of our population by 2050. At the same time, our society also aims to meet the goal of net zero carbon emissions, and a circular economy

With increased adoption of sustainable living choices such as renewable energy, electrification of heating,

cooling and hot water and electric vehicles among others, why not begin the journey towards making your apartment or townhouse more sustainable, energy efficient and comfortable?

Investing in sustainability in a strata environment has a multiplier effect not felt anywhere else in the economy. One owner of a residential house can change the sustainability habits of one household, but one owners corporation can incorporate changes for as many as 100 households

Strata Community Association (Vic) is proud to be working with Melbourne, Merri-Bek and Yarra City Councils, respectively, to promote ‘Unlocking Sustainable Strata’, a series of events aimed at inspiring and equipping you to improve sustainability in your strata property.

The inaugural event for 2023 will feature the launch of How-To Guides for lot owners and residents, as well as case studies of owners corporations that have successfully implemented sustainability retrofits in their buildings

Hear practical advice from the new guides for Unlocking Sustainable Strata and Electrifying Apartments developed by Yarra City Council, MerriBek City Council, and environmentally sustainable design experts at Hip v Hype, and get inspired by local residents who have made their strata properties more sustainable

The Unlocking Sustainable Strata guides share tailored advice for upgrading to efficient electric heating, cooling and hot water, installing solar, working with your owners corporation and strata manager, and more.

Be sure to book quickly, as places are limited –book online at:

bit.ly/3wKihHn

Free Event (Course for Lot Owners):

SCA (Vic) Strata Law Day

Friday 19 May 2023, 9:00am - 9:45am

If you ’ re looking for an introductory course focussed on better understanding strata in Victoria and your owners corporation, look no further than attending SCA (Vic)’s Strata Law Day, featuring a complimentary seminar for lot owners

Our 45-minute course provides an introduction for lot owners to the basics of strata, while highlighting key legal issues, the differentiation between company shares and stratum, as well as the issue of common property boundaries and maintenance

Inaugural Meeting: Victorian Owners Network - Wednesday 15 March 2023, 6:00pm - 7:00pm

SCA (Vic) is committed to being a unified hub for everything strata in Victoria, and to work with, and support, lot owners and committee members to share, network, and create positive changes

We will be holding a meeting to discuss the possible development of a network of owners corporations and other relevant stakeholders in Victoria, and we hope you can join us.

Join the meeting at the above date and time here:

bit.ly/3JwfoSm

Vodcast: Committee Conversations

Friday 3 March 2023, 12:00pm - 12:30pm (ONLINE)

Guest Speakers

Catherine Lezer, SCA (WA) President David Hamilton, Convenor of Southbank3006 Nicholas Abbey, Strata Activist & Advocate

For further information about the course, and to register your interest in attending this event, please contact:

This course is perfect for any lot owner looking to increase their knowledge and understanding of the laws and regulations governing the day-to-day functions and business of their owners corporation, and to meaningfully participate in future. education.vic@strata.community

Catherine and Nicholas both serve on committees and have very different views, almost opposites, just like every committee But to get on, they will need to find common ground to build a relationship and work together. So let’s start by discussing some controversial topics from a list that continues to grow

To register for the vodcast, visit:

bit.ly/3JwfoSm

Upcoming Training Dates

Thursday 23 March 5:30pm to 8:30pm online

To book, visit: www.vic.strata.community/vic-activities

Committee Training for Committee Members

The comprehensive National Strata Community training course provides a practical overview of the role of Strata Community Members as well as lot owners who may intend to serve in a voluntary role on a Committee at a later date The focus of the course is around the three pillars facing committees: Community, Business, and good Governance

ANTENNAS

Install My Antenna

Professional TV Antenna Service For You Today

P: 1300 800 123

W: https://www.installmyantenna.com.au/

E: info@installmyantenna.com.au

EDUCATION & TRAINING

LookUpStrata

Australia’s Strata Title Information Site

W: https://www.lookupstrata.com.au/

E: administration@lookupstrata.com.au

Your Strata Property

Demystifying the legal complexities of apartment living

W: https://www.yourstrataproperty.com.au/

E: amanda@yourstrataproperty.com.au

Strata Community Association

P: 02 9492 8200

W: https://www.strata.community/

E: admin@strata.community

FACILITY MANAGEMENT

LUNA

Building and Facilities Manager

P: 1800 00 LUNA (5862)

W: https://www.luna.management/

E: info@luna.management

JKR Property Group

Facilities and Building Management Solved.

P: 1300 294 088

W: http://www.jkrpropertygroup.com.au/

E: admin@jkrpropertygroup.com.au

Australian Facilities Management

Integrated facilities management services & solutions

P: 03 9816 4722

W:https://www.australianfacilitiesmanagement.com.au/

E: info@australianfacilitiesmanagement.com.au

Elite Building Managers Australia

Building Manager experts.

P: 0420 520 976

W: https://www.elitebma.com/

E: matt@elitebma.com

SOFTWARE

Mimor

Connecting People – Creating Communities

P: 0414 228 644

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

ResVu PTY LTD

Customer Service Software for Strata

P: 08 7477 8991

W: https://resvu.com.au/

E: enquiries@resvu.com.au

StrataMax

Streamlining strata

P: 1800 656 368

W: https://www.stratamax.com/

E: info@stratamax.com

MYBOS

Building Management - Residential & FM Schemes

P: 1300 912 386

W: https://www.mybos.com.au/

E: sam@mybos.com.au

StrataVault

Connecting people, processes, and applications

P: 1300 082 858

W: http://www.stratavaults.com/

E: team@thestratavault.com

Urbanise

Automate your workload to increase efficiency.

P: 1300 832 852

W: https://www.urbanise.com/

E: marketing@urbanise.com

BUILDING ENGINEERS & INSPECTORS

Solutions in Engineering

Quality Reports On Time, Every Time!

P: 1300 136 036

W: https://www.solutionsinengineering.com/

E: enquiry@solutionsinengineering.com

Forte Asset Services

Fire | Electrical | HVAC

P: 1300 920 752

W: https://www.forteassetservices.com.au/

E: info@forteas.com.au

Sedgwick

Building Consultancy Division & Repair Solutions

W: https://www.sedgwick.com/solutions/global/au

E: info@au.sedgwick.com

QIA Group

Compliance 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

CORE Consulting Engineers

Delivering 360° engineering solutions for strata

P: 02 8961 3250

W: https://core.engineering/

E: admin@core.engineering

HFM Asset Management Pty Ltd

Leaders in Building Efficiency

P: 1300 021 420

W: https://www.hfmassets.com.au/

E: info@hfmassets.com.au

GQS

Quantity Surveyors & Building Consultants

P: 1300 290 235

W: https://gqs.com.au/

E: info@gqs.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

Mabi Services

Valuations, Maintenance Plans, Asbestos

P: 1300 762 295

W: https://www.mabi.com.au/

E: info@mabi.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

Roscon

Property services & facilities management

P: 1800 767 266

W: https://www.roscon.com.au/

E: info@roscon.com

Essential Services Compliance

Essential safety measures reporting & fire safety

P: 03 9816 4840

W: https://essentialservicescompliance.com.au/

E: admin@escompliance.com.au

Leary & Partners: quantity surveying services

Quantity Surveying Services Since 1977

P: 1800 808 991

W: https://www.leary.com.au/index.php/

E: enquiries@leary.com.au

ACCOUNTANTS

Tinworth & Co

Chartered Accountant & Strata Auditors

P: 0499 025 069

W: https://www.tinworthaccountants.com.au/

E: caren.chen@tinworth.com

Matthew Faulkner Accountancy

Strata Auditing specialists

P: 0438 116 374

W: https://www.mattfaulkner.accountants/

E: matt@mattfaulkner.accountants

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

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

Driscoll Strata Consulting

Knowledge | Experience | Service

P: 0402 342 034

W: https://driscollstrataconsulting.com.au/

E: Enquiries@driscollstrataconsulting.com.au

STRATA REPORTS

BIV Reports

Specialist in Strata Compliance Reports

P: 1300 107 280

W: https://www.biv.com.au/

E: biv@biv.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

Bugden Allen Graham Lawyers

Specialising in property development & strata law

P: 02 9199 1055

W: http://www.bugdenallenlawyers.com.au/

E: info@bagl.com.au

RC & Co Lawyers

Effective, resource, clear.

P: 1300 072 626

W: https://www.rccolawyers.com/

E: assistant@rccolawyers.com

Tisher Liner FC Law Pty Ltd

Experts in Owners Corporations Law

P: 03 8600 9314

W: https://tlfc.com.au/expertise/owners-corporation/

E: ocenquiry@tlfc.com.au

Grace Lawyers

Know. Act. Resolve.

P: 03 9674 0474

W: https://gracelawyers.com.au/

E: enquiries@gracelawyers.com.au

Holman Webb Lawyers

Body Corporate and Strata Dispute Experts

P: 61 732 350 100

W: https://www.holmanwebb.com.au/

E: icontact@holmanwebb.com.au

Aitken Partners

Law firm with a dedicated OC team

P: 03 8600 6000

W: https://www.aitken.com.au/

E: dandronaco@aitken.com.au

Bastion Legal

Experts in plumbers insurance law

P: 03 9098 8706

W: https://bastionlegal.com.au/

E: info@bastionlegal.com.au

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Alpha14 Property Group

Project Management Services

P: 0417 378 331

W: https://alpha14.com.au/

E: projects@alpha14.com.au

STRATA MANAGEMENT

The Knight

Strong family values & real hands-on experience

P: 03 9509 3144

W: https://www.theknight.com.au/

E: lisa@theknight.com.au

Stratabase Holdings P/L

Integrity & excellence in Owner’s Corp Management

P: 0412247589

W: https://stratabasemgt.com/

E: ingrid@stratabasemgt.com

Strata Management Consultants

We Help Committees to Change OC Companies

P: 1300 917 848

W: https://www.strataconsultants.com.au/

E: office@strataconsultants.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

StrataPoint Owners Corp.

“A surprising approach to Strata Management”

P: 03 8726 9962

W: https://stratapoint.com.au/

E: Hello@stratapoint.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

SOCM

Owners Corporation Management Melbourne

P: 03 9495 0005

W: https://socm.com.au/

E: info@socm.com.au

Network Pacific Strata Management

Supporting our strata communities

P: 07 5609 8677

W: www.networkpacificstratamanagement.com.au/

E: info@networkpacific.com.au

Bright & Duggan

Strata Professionals

P: 0299027100

W: https://bright-duggan.com.au/

E: customercare@bright-duggan.com.au

Body Corporate Victoria

Specialist provider of strata management in Melbourne

P: 03 9807 2211

W: https://bodycorpvic.com.au/

E: info@bodycorpvic.com.au

Engine Property Group

Your dedicated OC managers, thinkers, and solvers

P: 03 9235 9900

W: https://www.enginepropertygroup.com.au/

E: reception@enginepropertygroup.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

Clean As You Go

Leaders in Caretaking and Facility Maintenance

P: 1300 525 651

W: http://www.cleanasyougo.com.au/

E: info@cleanasyougo.com.au

STRATA LOAN PROFESSIONALS

StrataLoans

The Experts in Strata Finance

P: 1300 785 045

W: https://www.strata-loans.com/

E: info@strata-loans.com

Lannock Strata Finance

The Leading Strata Finance Specialist

P: 1300 851 585

W: https://lannock.com.au/

E: strata@lannock.com.au

Austrata Finance

Pay Now or Pay Later: It’s Your Choice®

P: 1300 936 560

W: https://austratafinance.com.au/

E: info@austratafinance.com.au

DELIVERY & COLLECTION SERVICES

Groundfloor™

Australian parcel, mail, and refrigerated lockers

P: 03 9982 4462

W: https://groundfloordelivery.com/

E: ask@groundfloordelivery.com

ELECTRICAL

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: 1300 000 366

W: https://www.enmsolutions.com.au/

E: info@ENMSolutions.com.au

FIRE SERVICES

Linkfire Pty Ltd

Your essential safety partner

P: 1300 323 263

W: https://www.linkfrire.com.au/

E: sales@linkfire.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

CLOTHES LINES

Lifestyle Clotheslines

Clothesline and washing line supplier & installer

P: 1300 798 779

W: https://www.lifestyleclotheslines.com.au/

E: admin@lifestyleclotheslines.com.au

RECRUITMENT SERVICES

sharonbennie – Property Recruitment

Matching top talent with incredible businesses

P: 0413 381 381

W: https://www.sharonbennie.com.au/

E: sb@sharonbennie.com.au

Essential Recruitment Solutions

Specialising in Strata recruitment

P: 0448 319 770

W: https://www.essentialrecruitmentsolutions.com.au/

E: maddison@essentialrecruitmentsolutions.com

PAINTING

Higgins Coatings Pty Ltd

Specialist painters in the strata industry

P: 1300 HIGGINS

W: https://www.higgins.com.au/

E: info@higgins.com.au

Dulux Property Services

Total Building Maintenance & Remedial Solutions

P: 0434 834 799

W: https://www.duluxconstructionsolutions.com.au/

E: propertyservice@dulux.com.au

Avello Group

Painting Services for Owners Corp properties

P: 1300 283 556

W: https://avello.com.au/

E: estimating@avello.com.au

MARKETING

Ki Creative Design

Purposeful Design Solutions

P: 0451 541 066

E: kiara.mcilroy@gmail.com

ENERGY

Strata Energy Services

Simplifying Energy For Strata

P: 1300 060 111

W: http://www.strataenergyservices.com.au/

E: info@strataenergyservices.com.au

Arena Energy Consulting Pty Ltd

Independent Embedded Network Consulting Services

P: 0452 411 247

W: https://www.arenaenergyconsulting.com.au/

E: joseph@arenaenergyconsulting.com.au

DEFECT RESTORATION

24:seven Maintenance Solutions

Comprehensive building maintenance services

P: +61 3 9008 5423

W: https://24sevenms.com.au/

E: admin@24sevenms.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

CONSULTING

Strata Solve

Untangling strata problems

P: 0419 805 898

W: https://stratasolve.com.au/

E: chris@stratasolve.com.au

SUSTAINABILITY

The Green Guys Group

Australia’s Leading Energy Saving Partner

W: https://www.greenguys.com.au/

E: sean@greenguys.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

AUDITORS

Property Audit & Assurance

Strata & Managed Property Auditing Specialists

P: 03 9525 3777

W: http://www.lowelippmann.com.au/

E: paa@llca.com.au

PLUMBING

The Drain Man

Blocked Drain? The Drain Man can help

P: 1800 843 372

W:https://www.thedrainman.com.au/

E: enquiries@thedrainman.com.au