Smoking and Strata
Can you ban smoking in strata without a by-law? In a series of NCAT cases, several owners corporations succeeded in obtaining orders to prohibit or restrict smoking in strata buildings. These cases all shared a common element: the smoke from cigarettes or tobacco products was deemed a nuisance interfering with a residents’ amenity, contrary to […]
Read MoreFire safety for strata owners
Fire safety in strata Fire safety is a core responsibility of owners corporations and strata committees. It is not simply a matter of compliance with regulations. It is one area where a “she’ll be right” attitude or “near enough is good enough” can be a fatal error. As a recent fire in Rome illustrated, one […]
Read MoreSecurity in strata
We like to know our homes are secure from intruders and most strata properties rate highly on that score. Apart from some smaller, older blocks it is rare to find a property where access to individual lots or shared areas like foyers, lifts, stairwells and even garages is not protected both physically end electronically with […]
Read MoreEmbedded networks in strata
Benefits and considerations of embedded networks A key element of the shared infrastructure in strata is the distribution of basic utilities like electricity, gas, water, and fibre optic cable to individual units. In most smaller schemes the shared infrastructure simply connects individual residents to the retail networks enjoyed by most other households. But increasingly, and […]
Read MoreLift Maintenance and Registration
Lifts in strata Lifts are critical infrastructure for strata schemes. Any outage will create serious difficulties for residents, particularly those with mobility challenges, and the responsibility for repairing and maintaining lifts is a key one for owners corporations. Repairs and maintenance First and foremost, the annual levies budget should provide adequately for both regular and […]
Read MoreWaterproofing & Mould in Strata
What to consider when waterproofing in strata Waterproofing of an apartment building occurs during construction with membranes and protective coatings. There are a significant number of reports in the strata sector relating to problems and damage caused by unsatisfactory waterproofing work. In fact, the most commonly occurring serious defect in strata buildings relates to waterproofing, […]
Read MoreAsset Upgrade Considerations in Strata
What to consider when maintaining strata building assets Before you start to analyze your asset information your first step is to gather it. Our Preventative Maintenance Information Guide explains the need for good asset baseline documentation and good maintenance contract reporting. Next, it is worth attempting to group your assets to help decide which specialist […]
Read MoreProblem Parking in Strata
Problem parking in strata managed property and shared areas This article is aimed at providing some clarity as to what to do when an owners corporation (OC) needs to deal with problem parking. Whilst the issue of parking in a private car spot is with the individual lot owner, the best approach in finding a […]
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