What are the regulations for noise control in strata properties and who should pay for a noise assessment report? – Vincent, NSW
The neighbour complained my bathroom fan is noisy in the strata building. What are the regulations for noise control in strata? …
I live in a community development. The community association want to install better pool security. This includes access fobs for which they want to charge a fee in addition to community levies. Those without a fob will not be able to access the facility. Can they do this? – Chris, NSW
Yes, the community association can install pool security, and every property would need to get a fob for access to the …
The Treasurer’s wife attends every meeting of the Owners Committee. She intervenes on any/all issues, not just those that might concern her unit. She does not ask for permission to speak and has no hesitation to interrupt others. She also reads OC emails and correspondence sent to her husband or other OC members. Apart from being present, to which there can be no objection, she acts in spirit and letter like an OC member although she is not elected. Do strata regulations allow two persons from the same unit to be members of the OC? – Mary, NSW
The question depends on who owns the unit – is it the treasurer or the wife or both? If they own …
Can any owner send an agenda item for discussion and a decision at an AGM? The Strata committee for my block has refused a request together with a quote for an enhancement to the block which most owners tell me they would like. Now it seems the only option left open to these owners is to see if the majority of owners do in fact support this enhancement by a vote on the item at the next AGM. – Nicki, NSW
Yes, an owner or person entitled to vote in the general meeting of an owners corporation can set an agenda for …
How can body corporates stop Airbnb or short term rentals in Queensland? Glen, QLD
In Queensland, body corporates cannot stop or restrict short-term rentals. While the body corporate oversees and maintains the common property and …
The occupants of the apartment immediately below mine sometimes smoke in their balcony and the smoke gets into my apartment. I like to keep my balcony door open for fresh air. How can I get them to stop? – Johannes, NSW
If they’re smoking on their own balcony or within the premises of their own property, there’s not much the strata committee …
Who is responsible for repair costs relating to retaining walls between my villa and common property? Greg, NSW
If it’s part of common property under a strata scheme, your strata committee would be responsible for maintaining this. It depends …
I act for my uncle who owns a property. The unit is leased because he is in full-time residential care. Are the tenants allowed to use his unit for short-term letting? The owner does not want this to occur. Is it permissible for a tenant to ignore such a direction? – Tony, NSW
Tenants cannot let out the unit without the permission of the landlord or violate the terms of the lease that prohibits …
Who is responsible for maintaining gutters in the front of my townhouse and fixing the leaking roof that is damaging the carpet inside? – Debbie. C, NSW
If the gutters are part of common property, your strata committee or owners corporation would be responsible for maintaining this. It …
I own an apartment in Sydney. Our neighbours smoke right next to our main bedroom and of course the smell wafts in. We can never leave the windows open because of that. Strata has sent 2 letters in regards to the smoke situation but there’s been no improvement. What can strata do at this point? Can I get strata to install non smoking signs in all the entrances of the building? – Michael, NSW
It depends on where your neighbours are standing while they smoke – are they doing this within the premises of their …
Does strata pay for external washing of windows on the second storey of my townhouse? – Erica, NSW
Your levy payments or fees are likely to cover this type of service, but this depends on the by-laws in place …
Can someone who is not a property owner be a proxy for a property owner and hold the position of chairman, secretary or treasurer? – Debbie, QLD
Yes, they can, if they’re representing a property owner.
A property owner can nominate anyone of their choosing to manage their property …
I live by myself in a strata townhouse and would like to own a dog as a companion. Do I need permission for this? – Melissa, NSW
When it comes to owning and managing pets in strata properties, the first thing to do is to check the by-laws …
Our strata electricity bill is very high. Which supplier do you recommend we contact to reduce this cost? – Olwyn S, NSW
Perhaps you’re already on a good plan and probably have other reasons for the high electricity bills. Anything from a faulty …
