Your Strata Property With Amanda Farmer

When delivering education sessions face-to-face, "question time" is always my favourite part of the evening. This week, I’m bringing you the recording of the QandA session held at the end of my July 2019 presentation for City of Sydney Council.  I give my answers to audience questions such as: are we responsible for relocating residents...

QLD strata lawyer Andrew Suttie and I are pondering precisely what it is that makes a strata lawyer join their own strata committee. And what could possibly go wrong when they do... Links mentioned: Get the transcript here!  Prior to venturing into the law, Andrew completed a Science Degree and an honours thesis in Marine...

Reena’s attempts to put together a complete file for her new client are frustrated when she receives only hard copy records from the former managing agent. We discuss the legal requirements for the handover of strata books and records. I issue a warning to committee members sending emails from a work email address and we...

Matthew Waugh of Conexie joins me to explain the software that's allowing strata occupants to monitor their energy usage in real-time, while their owners corporation puts money in the bank (for the not-so-sunny days).  Listen out for your chance to join my free webinar on Thursday 29 April, where I'll cover the legal steps to be taken...

I’m continuing an important conversation commenced last week about how we communicate: as owners, committee members and strata managers. I share three ways we can improve communication to save time, money and sanity, plus give you access to a proven resource you can use to start implementing these strategies in your building and those you're...

  This week I’m chatting with PR guru Elizabeth Heusler. Elizabeth shares: how our strata managers can “kill it or win it” in their very first communication with uswhy saying sorry is a learned skill, not a natural abilityhow our strata buildings can improve their reputations and increase their attractiveness in the market, from the...

  This week, I'm bringing you an edited version of my live chat with Joseph Arena of Arena Energy Consultants. Over on the Facebook page a couple of weeks ago, Joseph demystified embedded networks for us: what are they, do they mean the price you're paying for energy is not competitive, how might you avoid...

 This week, Reena and I cover: how to ensure 40+ staff working from a commercial lot do not overrun resident facilities such as the swimming poolthe owner who sourced historical OC approval for their renovation in 50-year-old local council recordsNSW’s new pet laws, and how to have your saythe building that made an exception to... The post 256. Can the staff of a commercial lot use the pool? appeared first on Your Strata Property.

  My guest this week is the current president of Strata Community Association (Western Australia): Catherine Lezer. Catherine shares the SCA(WA) wishlist for the upcoming state election and describes how she believes the WA strata sector will "mature" over the coming years. Links mentioned: Get the transcript here! Strata Community Association WA WebsiteStrata Community Association WA... The post 255. Owners are the priority for SCA (WA) – Catherine Lezer appeared first on Your Strata Property.

  Committee member Gordon Streight and strata manager Reena Van Aalst share: the importance of establishing "systems" to best manage owner renovation worksthe no. 1 reason to improve your strata buildingthe joy of "data" and why it's key to making a project of any size happenhow to ensure that only the best strata managers want... The post 254. How to add value to your strata investment appeared first on Your Strata Property.

  Reena and I call out a downside of the electronic age: are committees 'silencing' owners by insisting on pre-meeting electronic voting for every meeting? We also discuss: the building that turned a blind eye to illegal alterations, now having to unravel the results when a strata loan can save the dayThursday's by-law webinar: secure your spot here Links... The post 253. Can I force my building to have a meeting in person? appeared first on Your Strata Property.

  Hedley Swann of Strata Next joins me this week, sharing: the big mistakes strata managers are making with their marketingthe real problem owners want a strata manager to solvehow the decision to serve a smaller market will guarantee you greater success Links mentioned: Get the transcript here! Facebook Friday Live with Amanda Farmer and Hedley SwannStrata Next... The post 252. Strata marketing 101 – with Hedley Swann appeared first on Your Strata Property.

  Despite the NSW Court of Appeal invalidating a by-law banning pets months ago, strata committees are continuing to enforce these by-laws. What are their chances of success and what can would-be pet owners do in the face of a ban? Plus, Reena and I discuss: the owner who won't take responsibility for the spa on... The post 251. Why are pet bans still being enforced? appeared first on Your Strata Property.

This being episode 250, we’re celebrating our 5th birthday!  We’ve covered a lot of ground since those first few wobbly episodes, but there’s always more to learn and share.  This week, I’m highlighting some of the comments I received after last week’s discussion about asbestos in fire doors. I also share insights from the conference... The post 250. Are vaccine by-laws around the corner? appeared first on Your Strata Property.

In this packed episode, Reena and I cover: what can be done when an owner won't agree to their front fire door being tested for asbestos why anti-discrimination legislation is increasingly relevant to stratathe owners who successfully proved the unreasonable refusal of their renovation applicationwhy we need more access to unreported cases from our Tribunalswhy I'm... The post 249. Asbestos in fire door | hard flooring discrimination | unreasonable refusal appeared first on Your Strata Property.

Last week, one of my clients successfully obtained NCAT orders for the appointment of a compulsory strata manager. In this episode, I’m sharing my 4 key takeaways from this hard fought case, including a wake up call for committee secretaries who may be under the misapprehension they can rule the roost. Links mentioned: Get the... The post 248. A warning to “autocratic” secretaries appeared first on Your Strata Property.

At a time when our world remains a little more topsy turvy than we'd like, I'm bringing you the audio from my Shared Space Summit chat with Charles Vogl: world leading expert on community building. During times of crisis, it is our strong, connected communities that thrive. Charles explains how. Links mentioned: Get the transcript here!Your Strata... The post 247. The Art of Community – with Charles Vogl appeared first on Your Strata Property.

No strangers to difficult times, Reena and I hit the ground running with this episode. We’re covering: the rights of a tenant when tree roots damage a sewer and cause flooding from that most undesirable of sources: the toiletthe building with a diminishing valuation and a novel offer from a valuerwhy compulsory appointments won’t give... The post 246. Tree roots | insurance valuations | fence dispute win appeared first on Your Strata Property.

In this short, final episode for 2020, I'm pointing you in the direction of our Top 5 Podcast Episodes for the year. There may be some surprises here!  I'll be leaving you to your holiday festivities and new year's eve preparations next week, back with the first episode for 2021 in the first week of January. Bringing the... The post 245. Top 5 Podcast Episodes of 2020 appeared first on Your Strata Property.

Reena and I discuss: what happens when a committee is deadlocked on the election of its office bearerswhy strata managers should not blindly accept their client's instructionsthe strata loan that came to the rescue the Court of Appeal case confirming the power of the NSW Tribunal to award damages to lot owners. Links mentioned: Get... The post 244. No committee office bearers | invalid instructions to agent | reduced building sum insured appeared first on Your Strata Property.