How does one deal with a noisy neighbour in NSW strata?
In the close quarters of community living, noise can become a significant concern. The tranquility of one's home is a fundamental right, yet the threshold for what constitutes disruptive noise can vary greatly from person to person. Addressing such issues often require a combination of direct communication, tact, understanding, knowing...
Strata Q&A: Ask the Expert #05
With the establishment of the NSW Strata Hub online portal managed by NSW Fair Trading, Strata Choice completed its client reporting obligations on 31st December 2022 as set out in the Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Information) Regulation 2021 (Information Regulation). Schemes that have not undertaken the process must comply by...
Unlocking EV-Ready Apartment Buildings with NSW Government Grant
The winds of change are blowing through the automotive industry and it's clear that electric vehicles (EVs) are here to stay. In New South Wales, EVs represented 8% of new car sales in the first half of 2023 and that number is only expected to rise. With this shift in...
Strata Q&A: Ask the Expert #04
With the establishment of the NSW Strata Hub online portal managed by NSW Fair Trading, Strata Choice completed its client reporting obligations on 31st December 2022 as set out in the Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Information) Regulation 2021 (Information Regulation). Schemes that have not undertaken the process must comply by...
To BMC or not to BMC – that is the question
Stuart Denney, our Associate Director of New Developments at Strata Choice shares his thoughts on to BMC or not to BMC. Great interaction and vibrant community is the product of mixed-use strata developments done well. The mix of uses in strata communities is ever expanding with residential, affordable and social housing, commercial, serviced...
Strata Q&A: Ask the Expert #03
With the establishment of the NSW Strata Hub online portal managed by NSW Fair Trading, Strata Choice completed its client reporting obligations on 31st December 2022 as set out in the Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Information) Regulation 2021 (Information Regulation). Schemes that have not undertaken the process must comply by...
6 Key Takeaways from Our Latest First AGM
Recently the team at Strata Choice had the privilege of attending the First Annual General Meeting of a remarkable development situated in the heart of Macquarie Park. This milestone event is a barometer to how owners have experienced taking possession of their new homes and investments. The “FAGM” (as we like...
Strata Q&A: Ask the Expert #02
With the establishment of the NSW Strata Hub online portal managed by NSW Fair Trading, Strata Choice completed its client reporting obligations on 31st December 2022 as set out in the Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Information) Regulation 2021 (Information Regulation). Schemes that have not undertaken the process must comply by...
Improving the Longevity of Waterproofing
Have you ever questioned the longevity of your waterproofing system? In one of our recent articles, "Rising Costs: A Burden on Owners," we highlighted a concerning statistic from a 2021 report on defects in New South Wales. The report revealed that a significant 39 per cent of residential apartment buildings constructed...
Rising Costs: A Burden on Owners
Australia is in the midst of soaring living costs, and apartment owners have encountered a growing concern - the burden of rising contributions to their shared community. In the past year, levies have seen a significant uptick, with increases averaging around 15 to 20 percent. These can be attributed to...
Strata Q&A: Ask the Expert #01
With the establishment of the NSW Strata Hub online portal managed by NSW Fair Trading, Strata Choice completed its client reporting obligations on 31st December 2022 as set out in the Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Information) Regulation 2021 (Information Regulation). Schemes that have not undertaken the process must comply by...
NSW Strata Hub Reporting Obligations Deadline
With the establishment of the NSW Strata Hub online portal managed by NSW Fair Trading, Strata Choice completed its client reporting obligations on 31st December 2022 as set out in the Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Information) Regulation 2021 (Information Regulation). Schemes that have not undertaken the process must comply by...
The Strata Insurance Market in 2023
The Strata Insurance Market is a complex environment. Insurers have been dealt a significant blow in recent years by the Queensland and NSW Floods, with approximately $5.74b in claims made. Insurers are taking decisive action to recoup losses from natural disasters and other claims, such as raising premiums or deductibles,...
Strata Choice Achieves Significant Savings on Lift Maintenance Contracts
Last year, we invited all buildings with lifts to join in a Bulk Renegotiation to streamline lift maintenance contracts. With this project, our goal was threefold: standardise terms of service and associated fees, guarantee comprehensive coverage throughout the contract, and strengthen negotiation power when establishing new contracts by consolidating expiration dates....
Avoid Water Damage Caused by Flexible Braided Hoses
Flexible braided hoses are a common sight in many Australian homes; however, few people realise that these seemingly innocuous components can lead to catastrophic flooding and costly repairs if they burst or fail. Water damage insurance claims are a contributing factor in rising insurance costs and as such, repairs to flexible...
Harnessing Technology for Strata Committee Members and Owners
Strata Choice is a technologically progressive business that provides up-to-date technology to make life easier for owners and Strata Committees. This technology provides real-time information with self-service capabilities. By harnessing this technology, Strata Choice offers efficient, effective customer focussed service that meets customers' expectations today and into the future. The Benefits...
Pets in Apartments
As community living increases it is important to note that by-laws are the fundamental building blocks of how a scheme manages its affairs. Simply, by-laws bind owners and residents to their terms and regulate the use of the common property and Lots, none more so than what you may keep...
Short Term Rental Accommodation
Whether regulated or not, 'short term letting', 'short term rental' or 'short term holiday accommodation' (STRA) can be a source of friction between owners corporations and community associations and their residents in NSW, particularly during peak holiday periods.
Strata Choice Owners Portal Launching in November
The new Strata Choice Owners Portal provides complete transparency and the ability to seamlessly manage multiple aspects of your building affairs in one place. The portal will facilitate the collaboration between all stakeholders; Strata Managers, Building Managers, Service Providers, Owners and Committee members. Strata Choice Owners Portal powered by MRI Strata Connect This...
Can a Committee Member Vote if they are Unfinancial?
Strata Committee Member Voting. The chairperson of any meeting should consult with the treasurer (or Strata Managing Agent) to understand who is financial and unfinancial (i.e. whether or not any contributions or levies are owing to the owners corporation or community scheme) for them to preside at the meeting and make...
We Can Save You Costs on Your Energy
With utilities making up a significant portion of the running costs of a building, it is a great place to start to look for potential savings in costs. One method is to shop around for a better deal on electricity and gas prices.
COVID-19 measures extended to 29 September 2022
The NSW Government has extended temporary COVID-19 emergency measures for strata and community schemes. Strata owners corporations and community land associations can continue, until 29 September 2022, to: meet and vote electronically without passing a resolution to authorise this beforehand validly execute documents without affixing the seal of the owners corporation or association. The...
Approval Timeframes on Minor Renovations in Strata
Approval of minor renovations by a strata committee Section 110(6)(b) of the Strata Schemes Management Act ('the Act') allows an owners corporation to delegate the function of considering minor renovations (such as "installing or replacing wood or other hard floors") to its strata committee. To do so, the owners corporation must...
Failing to collect Levies
There are severe consequences for failing to collect levies. For the most part, the owners corporation will become dysfunctional, which can lead to the compulsory appointment of a strata managing agent, which is very costly for the owners and takes away their ability to make decisions for themselves. Over time, the owners...
NSW Strata Hub, the next steps
The 30th of June 2022 marked the second phase of the NSW Strata Hub online portal as managed by NSW Fair Trading. This phase requires strata schemes to undertake additional reporting obligations as set out in the Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Information) Regulation 2021 (Information Regulation). The Strata Hub is intended...