It is a hazard of anyone actively involved in the management or governance of a strata community that they must deal with lunatics on occasion. A strata manager who does not burden themselves with an ability to access email on their phone may experience a sense of dread at having to open their email for…
When it comes to spending limits in strata schemes, there are as many myths as the ancient Greeks about who can approve how much to be spent on what. The Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (BCCM Act) and related Modules set out a number of spending limits. Some of these intersect with others, some…
Did you overstep the mark (or do you need to)? Given the complexity of the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 and associated legislation, it is likely that committees may overstep the mark from time to time by making decisions beyond their authority. Likewise, a committee may sometimes pass a resolution with full knowledge…
This article is written from the perspective of a strata manager. Read on for insights from their side of the meeting room table. You are sitting in another stupefying meeting. The Committee is way off the agenda, wandering far and wide amidst the weeds. You have tried, to no avail, to bring them back to…
The transition from life in a detached dwelling, where one is accustomed to a degree of autonomy, to life in a body corporate is a challenge for many residents. How well the realities of community living are managed hinges upon communication. It is not an overstatement to say that good communication is the cornerstone of…
Does anyone really want to be on a strata committee? Why not and what’s to be done about it? Does it mean the wrong people are running our strata buildings? As an operational structure, strata and community title associations need owners [or their nominees] to volunteer as committee members. And, whilst it makes sense that…
Committees are made up of lot owners or their representatives and are elected each year, usually at the annual general meeting, to represent lot owners and make decisions on behalf of the body corporate. From time to time, a body corporate may for various reasons decide to remove a committee member or members from office.…
Daily news broadcasts mean that we are continually provided with the latest on COVID cases, new strains and health guidelines. The news can be overwhelming to say the least, however these are the times that we live in and whether we like it or not, we need to consider the impacts on our day to…
It is essential that the Strata industry has educated, knowledgeable and prepared volunteers to successfully lead communities. To better assist key stakeholders, an education program for the purpose of encouraging Committee members and lot owners to better understand the purpose and functions of their community, has been developed. Along with this educational program, Committee members…
Solar power capacity increased tenfold between 2009 and 2011 in Australia. It then quadrupled by 2016. This all occurred at a time when the price of carbon and the Kyoto Protocol were hot topics, and a café latte with smashed avocado on toast became a favourite choice for breakfast. But the government knew that it…