Tips and Traps of Engaging Contractors We have all experienced a contracted arrangement gone wrong – a painting contractor whose work starts bubbling just months after it is completed or a plumber who charges to repair a leaking pipe but does not fix the leak. Without a crystal ball, there is no way to completely…

Saving on Strata Insurance Both the Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management in Queensland, and the Insurance Council of Australia, provide excellent information about how to manage the costs of strata insurance. The Insurance Council of Australia has released: the strata owner’s fact sheet; and the strata owner’s check list. While they are more…

Cladding Regulation Deadline – 29 March 2019 There are less than 6 weeks to go for Strata property owners to comply with the first stage of the Queensland Government’s new combustible cladding regulations with the deadline being 29 March 2019. Safety concerns about cladding in apartment buildings have reignited following a fast-moving fire this month…

Commissioners Corner: Financial Management Part 1 Let’s talk about money. It’s a subject everyone has an opinion on, and this is also true about finances in the body corporate context. While the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (the Act) and its Regulation Modules are prescriptive about the process for collecting and then spending…

Solar on Strata In the final quarter of 2018, a huge milestone was reached when the 2 millionth rooftop in Australia installed solar panels. 21.6% of residential houses now have solar panels installed. However, residential strata continues to be ‘locked out’ of the solar revolution for a number of reasons. It is estimated that less…

Caretaker Bullying Decision Bullying in a workplace is unlawful in Australia. Even Caretakers who are contractors of a Body Corporate are protected from bullying by committee members. Read this article to find out more about the decision of the Deputy President of the Fair Work Commission. The recent decision in Application by Ms A [2018]…