Secret ballots were introduced in strata meetings in 2003 to protect the identity of voters. Before then, you could ring the body corporate manager either before a resolution or after the meeting and find out which way people had voted.

In 2003, specific provisions were introduced that made it compulsory to decide certain decisions by secret ballot. The clearest statutory example is the decision to enter into new management rights agreements or to vary management rights agreements to add further option term.

Bodies corporate also have the flexibility to resolve that other types of decisions must be made by secret ballot, and those matters can be whatever the body corporate chooses. There is one building we are aware of that has made every motion at every general meeting a secret ballot, including confirmation of the minutes of the last meeting. You can imagine how long those meetings go for!

It was Benjamin Franklin who said the two certainties of life are death and taxes. In the strata industry we’ve always added one more: apathy.

Those of us inside the industry often talk about owner apathy. We find it extraordinary that general meetings will be adjourned where there might only be 10% of people (or even less!) who choose to participate in the decision-making over what can be a very valuable asset.

The legendary spaghetti western The Good, The Bad and the Ugly came out almost 60 years ago, and while the movie is now a relic of old Hollywood, its name lives on in strataland. By-laws fall neatly into each of those three basic categories: good, bad or ugly.

With legislation imminent, our panel of experts will discuss the key changes and what this means in reality for all stakeholders including how to navigate the upcoming changes. If you are a committee member or building manager, this topic is essential to your role so you can get up to speed with the correct information…

Three takeaways: Arguing over spending limitations may not be worth the grief it brings Communication with the Body Corporate is key A relationship of trust with a Body Corporate Committee will solve many problems ▶️ Watch the 2.5-minute video below 🔊 Listen to audio version Hills to die on in management rights We often talk about…

We are excited to present a lineup of high-calibre industry speakers, including the Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management Chris Irons and strata law experts Frank Higginson (Hynes Legal) and Juliette Nairn (OMB Solicitors). They will be speaking in plain English about the proposed changes to the Body Corporate and Community Management (BCCM) Act…