Reena and I cover:

- why a lack of office bearer's liability cover might not be as scary as it sounds

- how an owners corporation appoints a representative to the community association

- how to extend the term of your strata loan, and

- the investor owner who saved $35,000 in interest payments

Continuing our conversation commenced last week, John Trowbridge further explains how he believes strata managers are failing to properly recognise and manage their conflict of interest when it comes to fees and commissions for insurance arrangements, and what an alternate model might look like - for both managers and brokers. John speaks about availability and affordability of strata insurance across the country, explaining what’s driving price increases and how they might be better controlled - including through the actions of owners and strata committee themselves.

In the first part of this two-part episode, John Trowbridge explains why he has been engaged as a private consultant to conduct a review of strata insurance practices (and who has engaged him). He walks us through the history of our strata insurance sector, including how brokers came to be involved and why commissions and broker fees are today so firmly entrenched in our system. John explains why a lack of transparency around these fees is not only a problem for owners, but the source of a conflict of interest for strata managers.

Don’t miss part 2 of this important conversation, next week.

For more than 20 years the Owners Corporation Network (OCN) has been the independent voice of strata owners. In this chat, vice chair and director Tom Belsham says that the unique aspects of strata ownership have been poorly understood by our state government for too long. Tom takes us through the ten key issues the OCN is urging government to commit to taking action on, ahead of the NSW state election.

If you've ever experienced a pipe blockage in a building due to "flushable" toilet wipes...this is the episode for you. Jonathan Nykel of The Drain Man joins me to explain how old or damaged drains in residential buildings can be rehabilitated without digging, turning an otherwise major project into a simple fix and saving buildings thousands of dollars.

I'm joined by fellow strata lawyer, Allison Benson. Allison recently appeared in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal on behalf of an owners corporation seeking to enforce its cost recovery by-laws. In this chat, we discuss the Tribunal's decision, how that decision may impact future attempts by OCs to recover costs from lot owners, and the prospect of legislative reform to better protect buildings troubled by serial by-law breachers.

In my first chat with Reena Van Aalst for 2023, we cover:

- why strata managers need to be checking the ASIC register before contractors are engaged,

- just how far the definition of 'cosmetic work' might (or might not) extend,

- a successful storage cage swap, and

- a Christmas win for an unfairly sidelined owner.

Property owners new to strata are often surprised by the complex rules around renovation approvals. This episode is for those owners (and those guiding them). I reveal how I structure my own thinking about strata renovation work, from internal painting to air conditioning units to complete bathroom renos, and share access to some helpful resources, both for owners corporations and owners, to ensure a smoother renovation project for all.

In our first podcast episode for the year, I’m sharing the 5 most popular episodes of 2022 - 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, our last podcast episode for the year, Reena and I discuss:

the building that can't get public liability insurance for its heritage property

the dangers of strata managers actioning legal matters without instructions or legal advice

a few key principles for those managing Building Management Committees (BMCs).

I'll be back with the first podcast episode of 2023 on 4 January.

I wish you a lovely, restful festive season.