Your Strata Property With Amanda Farmer

Reena and I discuss: - the essential documents missing from OC books and records, - steps that can be taken to prevent catastrophic water damage, - a unique way to honour our dedicated committee members, and more.

Tom Buckley of Strata I.T. explains why strata managers would do well to have specialised IT support, including how to secure yourself against a hundred thousand dollar mistake.

By popular demand, I've brought last week's Friday LIVE chat with strata lawyer Michael Kleinschmidt to the podcast. This is an edited version of the longer video discussion (you can find that here). Michael busts some entrenched myths about strata insurance commissions and broker fees, and explains why the future of strata management as a "profession" depends on whether or not managers are prepared to dramatically change the way they charge for their services.

Phase 3 of John Trowbridge's review of strata insurance practices has been released. In this chat, he shares his findings and recommendations, including: - how strata owners can be empowered to discuss insurance on equal terms with their strata manager and broker, - why we find it so hard to break away from an insurance regime that seems to perpetuate conflicts of interest, - the role that owners have to play in ensuring the affordability and availability of strata insurance, and more.

Together, Reena Van Aalst and I cover: -hard flooring by-laws. How much detail is too much detail?  -a checklist process for approving remedial works quotes -the cash windfall hiding in a new client's accounts (found by Reena...again) -why real estate agents must stop seducing purchasers with promises of low strata levies

In this solo episode, I'm sharing all you need to know about proxies under our NSW law, including: - how to fill in the "approved form" correctly - whether the holder of a power of attorney needs to fill in a proxy form - the Tribunal and court cases where proxies have come out on top and more.

Dr Nicole Johnston joins me to share her latest research into passive fire systems in our residential strata buildings, including the thousands of fire safety defects that go unnoticed, and how owners may be unknowingly jeopardising their safety with their renovation works.

Michael Teys is BACK, sharing: the power play within mixed-use developments, why some banks in the United States are now looking at governance practices within condo communities before lending to purchasers, why governments wanting to impose more responsibility on strata owners need to step up with more support, the courageous owners who call their OCs to account, and more.

Reena and I cover: - what building management agreements have to do with insurance claims - how long is too long after mediation to file your Tribunal application - the surprising recommendation from a leading strata insurer - the building that has voluntarily handed over all committee powers to its strata manager

Michael Barnes of Credwell Fire & Risk estimates that owners in up to 40% of residential strata buildings aren’t properly maintaining essential services, putting property and lives at risk. In this chat, we talk about emergency management plans – including evacuation diagrams – and the high cost of failing to have a comprehensive plan in place.

In this solo episode, I’m walking you through the legal framework for access requests and access orders. How far does an owners corporation’s right to access to strata lot actually stretch?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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