Your Strata Property With Amanda Farmer

Effective meetings are at the heart of well-functioning strata communities. Today, I’m taking a closer look at how we record the minutes of meetings, including sharing some insights on the subject drawn from my recent visit to the United States.

I’m taking you inside last Friday’s CPD Education Day, for a quick listen to part of my session on the topic of “privacy” in strata. Just as important for owners as they are for managers, the lessons of this session may surprise you. Also, get the diary out, because I’m announcing the date for our 2025 CPD Education Day. Yep! We’re an organised bunch here at YSP. 

Reena Van Aalst joins me to discuss: - why insurers are now asking whether your building has been "re-wired" or "re-plumbed" - committees that are breaching their spending restrictions - how our strata law is failing owners when it comes to privacy - the community leveraging a little-used part of the NSW legislation to ensure all levies are paid on time.

Andrew Boss of Austrata Finance joins me to unpack the new and improved “hybrid” strata loan, including greater certainty for owners at tax time, and easier administration for strata managers.

Brent Clark of Wattblock joins me to share how forward-thinking strata buildings (and savvy purchasers) can ensure they’re “keeping up with the Joneses” when it comes to sustainability infrastructure, all while avoiding the net-zero conversation AND enjoying a 12% uplift in the value of their property.

Sydney strata owner Amanda Reitzin joins me to share her recent experience in the NSW Tribunal battling nuisance smoke drift from her neighbour's balcony. Amanda shares how she made the difficult decision to litigate, including the lessons she learned along the way. You'll hear: - Amanda's realisation that the law is on your side, but it's up to you to do the hard work - how staying polite and professional at all times is key - why litigation is not about winning - how Amanda's life has changed since the Tribunal's orders. This is a must-listen for anyone involved in or considering legal proceedings.

Strata Energy Services has been leveraging the power of the collective since 2018, using "bulk buying power" to get strata buildings a better deal on their energy costs. Sally Pollard joins me to share how it all works and how you can find savings in even the most difficult financial times.

In our first podcast episode for the year, I’m sharing the 5 most popular episodes of 2023 – in case you missed them, need a recap, or are looking for a great place to start if you’re new to our world.

In this final podcast episode for 2023, Reena and I cover: an owner’s refusal to permit access to their lot, leaving the Annual Fire Safety Statement (“AFSS”) in jeopardy whether an owner with damaged blinds should call their committee’s bluff and sue over a few hundred dollars the year’s happy endings, including a surprise special event in my own building’s backyard. The pod will be back in the second week of the new year.

Nikki Jovicic of LookUpStrata joins me to share our common passion for empowering owners through strata knowledge. I answer a couple of curly questions for Nikki's website and we discuss the ripple effect of strata managers having access to quality education.

Jo Hall of Groundfloor joins me to share how our buildings can better manage parcel deliveries, even without a building manager or concierge, reducing security risks and ensuring peace of mind for residents.

NSW Strata and Property Services Commissioner John Minns joins me to discuss his priorities for the strata sector. We discuss the "number one problem" in strata, reveal precisely who is manipulating the system, why Fair Trading needs increased powers, and more.

Megan Chatterton and Leanne Habib join me to reveal just how unprepared our buildings are for emergency events - even though such events are increasingly likely. Megan is asking owners to participate in research that will assist to arm buildings with vital resources they can rely on in emergencies, and Leanne calls for legislative reform.

This week, Reena Van Aalst and I cover:  - signing contracts for building work: what strata managers need to look out for  - the rush to access a share of the NSW government's $10m EV charging grant  - self-represented litigants in NCAT, and  - the "new" age of electronic record keeping.

Strata manager Tim Sara of Strata Choice joins me to explain the purpose and process of a "First AGM". Tim explains the role of the strata manager at this early stage of a strata plan's life - including their relationship to the developer, how owners can best get through a daunting meeting agenda, and his tips for making this "birthing" of a new strata plan as successful as possible.

When a landlord has to shell out thousands of dollars in compensation to a tenant because of a wet, mouldy apartment, what rights do they have to claim that loss from their owners corporation? I'm unpacking two instructive cases coming out of the NSW Tribunal's Residential Tenancy List last month.

I'm covering the biggest changes that I see for owners and managers coming out of the Strata Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 (NSW).

Reena and I discuss: - why a little perspective would go a long way in the face of rising strata levies - an owner's obligation to fix a fire door impacted by their new flooring - the timely recognition of a hard-working strata manager  - where to go if you want to share what you LOVE about living in strata

Having received such positive feedback after our episode two weeks ago in which I unpacked an important District Court decision, in this week's episode I'm highlighting further strata law cases of interest, PLUS giving the members of our online community access to a special research resource.

This week, I'm sharing a REPLAY of one of our top 5 most popular podcast episodes: Successful Strata Records Inspections. A source of frustration for many owners, records inspections is one of the subjects I am most frequently asked about. In this episode, I share my 4 steps to a successful strata records inspection, including what to do when particular records are withheld for ‘privacy’ or ‘legal’ reasons.