Strata Life

When it comes to pet ownership and living in Strata community, it's very different from living in a standalone dwelling. I say that because it's important for the pet owner to understand that there are certain things they should be considering when it comes to living in a Strata community. One of the main things to, consider in a living in a Strata community is that when they're using the common property, most especially, it is the owner's responsibility, the pet owner's responsibility to make sure that any loss or damage caused by their pets on the common property, which includes nuisance caused by their pets to other residents, it is their responsibility. There are certain body corporates or owners corporations or the Strata communities within Australia that are given the right by their respective state laws when it comes to creating rules that govern the behavior of owners and their pets. So what's important is where the owner has decided or the owner of the pet has decided to live in a Strata community, they should understand the rules that have been created by that particular Strata community when it comes to pets. Clean up after your pet when they're using the common property. Be conscious and be respective of other spaces so as to not receive allegations that your pet is causing nuisance. We love our pets, and it's important that we also protect them. And by protecting them, that is understanding the rules that the Strata community has when it comes to pet ownership.

There are 5 key steps that I wanna take you through to compel the builder to fix the defects and particularly to a common property. The first one is get the tool, the defects report. The defects report could be obtained from a building consultant. Guide the building consultant on what is already known to the Strata community and the defects and instruct them to prepare the defects report. The second tool that the Strata community should obtain is instruct a quantity surveyor to prepare the list and methods of how to fix defects and how much it would cost.

These two reports are key items that needs to be collected prior to demanding the builder to rectify the defects. The third one is get all the details of the builder so that the Strata community has taken all the necessary actions to make a demand and reach the builder. The 4th item is send that demand. The demand letter requires the builder to rectify the defects, give a due date of when the works will commence, and also attach all the defects reports and quantity surveyor reports that are obtained to support the allegation against the builder. And of course, the 5th step is if the builder does not act on it, follow through.

Follow through with the demand and issue, the necessary legal proceedings. Of course, this depends on the steps prior if there are steps prior to issuing legal proceedings against a builder, it's state by state depending on the state legislation, follow that through.

These methods are the key things compel the builder to rectify the defects.

Get ready to elevate your knowledge with StrataLife Podcast, the place where you should go to learn and get inspired on all matters strata. Welcome back to StrataLife Podcast by Rochelle Castro. Today's episode, I'd like to talk to you about how a strata community could manage residents' misbehavior. There are four key steps in dealing with residence misbehavior. Some of these misbehavior would include but not limited to, of course. Things being thrown around from the balcony that would put in danger others whilst using the common property. Too much noise from another apartment or unit. Mess being left on common property that could cause damage to common property. Blocking or obstructing the use of common property. Sometimes even spell emanating from someone's unit where it's not well kept. But there's a way, there are four steps that I'd like you to take note of in this episode. four steps that the strata community could do in respect of dealing with residents' misbehavior. Step one is review and determine the relevant rule or bylaw of the strata community in respect of a misbehavior. If one does not exist, the strata community should consider creating that special rule or bylaw. Once identified which rule or bylaw, second step is create, if one does not yet exist, a policy which is a step-by-step procedure on dealing with complaints about misbehavior of residents. The policy should be reviewed from time to time and should be determined on the different steps, step-by-step procedure that both the strata community and the manager who is actually taking action on behalf of the strata community when it comes to dealing with complaints about residents' misbehavior. Third step is within that policy, determine what steps to take. Is this issue relating to the resident misbehavior? Is it a phone call first that should be done? Or is it a courtesy letter? Or is it appropriate to issue a letter of demand? Or is it appropriate to issue a breach of noise? Depending on the gravity, the seriousness, and the repetition, if it's a recalcitrant offender who's been doing it. from time to time and it's causing significant impact on other residents. It's important to determine what steps to take. And sometimes it's better to pick up a phone call. Maybe it's not appropriate. Maybe it's appropriate to issue a breach notice. But definitely the third step is determine what steps to take in respect of alerting the offender about the complaint that's been addressed about the alleged misbehavior. And finally, number four, determine when to go legal or what to issue legal proceedings. It's appropriate for the strata community to determine when to get legal advice, expert advice, and gather all the evidences if it's the strata community who would take action in respect of enforcing the rules. So there are ways to deal with the misbehavior of residents. It's absolutely, absolutely important that both the strata manager and the strata community understand the steps that it ought to take in the event that complaints are raised about residents' misbehavior. If you like and enjoy and are being educated with these podcasts, please like, share this content and the podcast with your friends, your family and the Strata community and colleagues so that they could also enjoy and appreciate living in a Strata community. Until next time, my name is Rochelle Castro. See you here in StrataLive Podcast.

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Get ready to elevate your knowledge with Strata Life podcast, the place where you should go to learn and get inspired on all matters strata. Welcome to Strata Life by Rochelle Castro. And today I will be talking about what is the purpose of the Strata community's budget. The, there are three components to a Strata community budget, which is raised at the annual general meeting.

And it's important that you as lot owners attend the annual general meeting so that we could have a say on the budget that's going to be passed in the next 12 months or within the financial year period. So the three components of a strata community budget are the following you've got the administration budget.

You've got the maintenance or sometimes they call sinking fund. Others call it capital works fund budget, and you've got the special levy. So the administration budget is for the daily operations of the strata community. A big chunk of that is the strata insurance, where the premium that would provide for replacement or reinstatement of the building and also the public liability.

The other parts of the administration budget would include the strata manager's fees. It would also include any charges that would have to be paid for the government expenses for repair and maintenance that is, uh, It comes based on circumstances. So once off works, for example, it would also include components such as disbursements or expenses that would be part and parcel of the administration budget.

So that's one part of the strata community budget. The second one is it's got three different terms, depending on which state you are in. Other states call it maintenance fund. Others call it Sinking Fund, the others call it Capital Works Fund. So usually these are for long term maintenance plans. An example of it would be lift replacement works where it's a, uh, requires a large budget and it would take years for the strata community to save money up and to spend for that particular plan.

So really the maintenance a sinking or capital works fund is acting like a bank account or savings account, whether it's part of that bank account. When I mean that, don't misunderstand me. It, it means that it is put as a separate funding that would be spent based on what is planned for long term repair and maintenance.

The third one is a once off levy, which is a special levy, and these are for special projects. It doesn't necessarily have to be relating to repair and maintenance. It could also be for experts expenses. So when there are incidences such as unfortunate building defects or where there is an ex, a special project such as upgrading the common property and, uh, it needs to be raised as, as soon as possible as a once off levy, that would be called a special levy.

Remember what I said, it's important that you attend the annual general meeting to determine and have a voice. In the budget that's raised for the financial year and also the special general meetings that are held. This is the time when those types of meetings are when the special levies are also usually determined.

If you enjoy these sessions, please like, share with family members and friends so that they could also learn and enjoy living in a Strata community. My name is Rochelle Castro here in Strata Life Podcast. See you next time.

Get ready to elevate your knowledge with Strata Life Podcast, a place where you should go to learn and get inspired on all matters Strata. Welcome back to Strata Life Podcast by Rochelle Castro. In this episode, I would like to discuss with you what to do if your apartment or unit is found to have building defects. There are three key steps that you could do to prepare in compelling the person who is liable to fix the defects. Number one is get an expert report. The expert report could be prepared by a building consultant. It's important that you give instructions to the building consultant to include in the expert report their findings on who is liable or what is causing the defects on the property and the damages to the property. The second step is to get an expert if it's the building consultant or quantity surveyor who could identify the quantum or how much it will cost to fix the defects and also identify in that second report what are the steps to fix the defects. These two key expert reports are the tools, the key tools that will allow you to pursue the person at fault in respect of the defects and the damages that resulted from those defects. And finally, number three, once you have those two tools, you can actually make a demand through yourself or if you prefer a construction and Strata lawyer to pursue and compel the person who is at fault to fix the defects and also the damages that has been caused to your property. Three key steps, crucial in with the two tools before you attack. It's really how I look at it because you need to be able to prove that the person you are making allegations is actually at fault and that experts have said that they are at fault. So those are the steps on what you should do if you find your apartment or unit defective. If you like the contents of the Strata Life podcast, please like, share with your friends so that you could spread the education so that you can better enjoy living in your Strata community. My name is Rochelle Castro. See you next time here in Strata Life.

Welcome back to Strata Life Podcast by Rochelle Castro. Today's session, I will be discussing your options in respect of How you would deal with decisions made by the committee where you do not agree with such, such decisions. In a strata community, the committee is empowered to make decisions on the daily operations of the strata community, and that requires an ordinary resolution.

What the committee is not empowered to do is make decisions that require a special or unanimous resolution. These types of resolutions are special and unanimous. would require that all the owners put in their votes. That said, going back to the power that's been given to the committee, if it requires an ordinary resolution, the committee can absolutely make that decision.

From time to time, there are owners or members of the Strata community who do not agree with such decisions, and what are your options? In respect of that type of situation, you could issue a complaint and address that to the Strata community. But the complaints must, in my view, have three elements.

Number one, what is your reason for disagreeing with the decision of the Strata community? What is your legal basis, if there is a legal basis? For the disagreement in the decision of the Strata community, and are there evidences that you could attach to your complaint? It's absolutely important that the three elements, your reasons, the basis, and supporting documents or evidence in respect of your complaint, are all part and parcel of that complaint that you would address the strata community to the committee itself so that they could take your complaint seriously.

In my view, without those three elements, it is highly likely that the committee would not address and or Take seriously your matter. So it takes preparation and the three elements to make sure that your complaint would get to the attention of the Strata community. So that's the topic for today in this episode, in respect of what are your options?

So, um, I'm going to be talking about how to make decisions in respect of a disagreement with a committee decision. Please share, like, and inform your friends about Strata Life podcast by Rochelle Castro so that they would know more and so that they can better enjoy and take care of living in a Strata community.

Until next time, my name is Rochelle Castro. See you here in strata life podcast.

Get ready to elevate your knowledge with Strata Life Podcast, the place where you should go to learn and get inspired on all matters strata. Welcome back to Strata Life Podcast by Rochelle Castro. Today, this particular podcast is directed to professional strata managers. In the last podcast, I covered ways to better communicate the committee with the professional strata managers. I think it's just appropriate to cover the best ways that the strata managers can work with their committee. So let's get down to it. First tip is that the strata manager should agree and recommend where necessary the different channels on communicating that will be used to communicate particular subject matters. You as strata managers best know what are the best tools. One is email, other one is chat room. If you have an app, use an app. And if necessary, sometimes you just have to pick up that phone. So agree on the type of subject matter. That way you are not heavily reliant only on your inbox. And so that you can then clean up also the clutter in your inbox. So again, agree on the different tools and the subject matter when it comes to communicating with your committee. Second is on receipt of instructions from your committee, relay back those instructions so as to make sure you have understood what they are and this is also an opportunity for you as strata managers to consider if it's additional work or it will take a lot of work don't expect that the committee would know they don't know the details of what you do so it's up to you to tell them whether it's additional work and then if where there is an opportunity inform them whether or not you will charge extra for that and that will allow a conversation, a frank and direct conversation about whether the committee would like you to proceed with that, whether you are willing to do that at a certain cost or no cost and it's just a clear direct conversation about these additional work that the committee would like you to do. Whether either way it's important that you are able to relay back instructions to make sure that you are getting the accurate instructions and also having a conversation about the extent of work that is required to do that matter, to do that task. And finally, maintain an action list for yourself and or for the committee. It's important to maintain an action list so that you tick off what has been completed, monitor what is ongoing, what has been completed, monitor what is ongoing, and also give a tracking list of the progress of all the matters. And it's important to provide regular updates, especially for those matters that are quite long, provide regular updates to the committee whether or not there is movements. whether or not there is And if you're working with contractors, ask them for regular updates as well, And if you're working with contractors, ask them for regular updates as well, whether or not it's asked by the committee. After all, that is one of the tricks and special tricks when it comes to customer service. Any customer, which includes the committee, would like updates even if it's not asked for. which includes the committee, would like updates even if it's not asked for. Which includes the committee, would like updates even if it's not asked which includes the committee, would like updates even if it's not asked for. There you go. Those are the three tips to better communicate and work with your committees as strata managers. I'll see you next time here.

My name is Rochelle Castro here in Strata Life Podcast.

First method is agree on the method of communication. There are different platforms. It's not always email. There could be a chat room that could be agreed upon. In addition to the email, there's a chat room. There's also calls. There are just some things that you need to pick up the phone and speak with them, that it's not necessary that you use the email as a chat room. So my point is, agree on the method of communication depending on the subject matter, rather than continuously copying in the strata manager in all communications between all you committee members and expect them to read, they will not read, they will miss. And what you do not want is a miscommunication because it's just not humanly possible. If you create the inbox as a chat room and expect at the manager, because in reality they are dealing, they are not the only, you are not the only committee that they're dealing with. So agree on the methods of communication and the channels of communication depending on the subject matter that's being discussed or you're giving instructions. Second is decide as a committee, make a decision on a subject matter, talk amongst yourselves, and then once you read a decision, give those instructions to your strata manager for them to action. If you need some guidance from the strata manager, bring them in. But if it's a discussion amongst the committee, make that discussion amongst you and after making a decision, then give the instructions to the strata manager. That way it's seamless and it avoids a misunderstanding as the last thing you want is put energy and effort to clear up what has been miscommunicated. So again, decide first as a committee, talk amongst yourselves, discuss, communicate, and then give the instructions after to the strata manager so that those instructions are delivered clear. And finally, maintain an action list. As a committee, a lot of things, a lot of subject matters would have to be coming on your table. And we know you are volunteers and the last thing you want is miss things or get confused or get overwhelmed. One tool that you definitely could use to help you as a committee is create that action list. Not only is it beneficial for you, but it's also beneficial when you give instructions to your strata manager.

One of the things that's difficult with running a committee is when you're trying to make decisions and move forward. But in reality, because of the different personalities, there are disruptors and there will be clashes that could occur. But I would like to share with you in this podcast five tips on how to handle complaints and disruptor.

One, put the procedure in place. Create a flowchart or even put in a policy in place to make sure that it is a list of the requirements and step-by-step procedure that you and your committee could follow. You won't get lost. It's like having a guidance and a follow-through on what to take. That way, no matter how surprise you get with what comes in, that has to be decided by the committee in respect of complaints or even disruptors, you can always go back to that flowchart or procedure that you would follow. Trust me, it works.

Tip number two, acknowledge receipt of the complaint or a matter that has been addressed to you. It's important that there is a response saying, Thank you for your communication. We will revert to you and give them an estimate time of reply so that they would know when to follow up. This also avoids unnecessary communication, and you don't want to have someone to follow through every day. And that allows you to control how long you would need to respond. Of course, it should be within reasonable time, seven days, 14 days, and then follow through as long as it's, again, in your flowchart or your procedure or policy.

Tip number three is follow the procedure so you do not get lost. That's how simple it is. Or provide a reply, and the reply should be either you will take action. You will not take action or give us more information so that we can decide whether we will take action or we will not take action, and then set out the reasons why. And remember, if the committee, if your committee is not ready to make a decision and you need more information, data, or evidence, ask that. And again, with that, provide a time frame of how long they could provide it. That way, you are not waiting forever.

Number five, allow for an appeal and follow through with the procedure as to whether you are taking action or not taking action. That way, the person who has made a complaint or has addressed an issue can see that you are reasonable, and they are given a final opportunity to provide further information through an appeal.

What I'd like to talk to you about today is the importance of seeking approval and what are the steps in seeking the approval when you carry out renovations in your property and of course when I say when you seek approval I am really referring to your strata community.

It's important for you to understand that when you carry out renovations because you live in a community whether it's physical or whether it is behavioural impact, there will be an impact to the rest of the community and because of that it's important that you seek your Strata Communities approval sometimes in your relevant legislation that you're working on or that your Strata community is under sometimes it is required that a written approval is sought or sometimes them just getting an information or written notice from you that you are going to carry out renovations.

The reason for renovations approval is being required by the Strato community is so that they could prepare the rest of the community in the renovations that you are also care that you are carrying out. Not only that it also protects you so that you make sure that when the works are carried out you're not going to get any unfortunate interference or notices from your neighbours that they become quite informed about the renovations that you are carrying out, not only that you are also informing your contractors on the steps that are required so that they are not interrupted when they are carrying out your renovation works

So getting an approval from your Strata community is absolutely important because of those two factors; One, for the Strata community to prepare, meaning the community to prepare for the renovations that are going to be carried out and also, so that you and your contractors could better prepare so that you avoid uninterrupted renovation works and so that you can enjoy the product of the renovations you're carrying out.