Remedial Works, the DBP Act
and Planning Approvals
Planning approvals & the D&BP Act for strata remedial works In a recent interview with Helen Kowal, Partner at Swaab, we discussed the implications of the recent legislative and regulatory reforms in the construction industry of New South Wales. These reforms, while widely acknowledged as necessary for enhancing the quality of construction work in both […]
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Unraveling the Responsibility for Upstairs Water Leaks
It is not always clear whether water ingress results from defective common property, or whether it is originating from another lot, usually being the lot directly above. Generally, where water ingress is being caused by another lot owner, it is due to renovation works being carried out in that other lot. For a lot owner […]
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Lift 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 […]
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Waterproofing & 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, […]
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Preventative Maintenance in Strata
How to avoid poorly maintained common property in strata This article aims to assist our clients to avoid the pitfalls of poor maintenance of common property, namely: Poor reliability of assets Compromised safety Shorter life spans that are likely to result in unplanned upgrades or replacements Emergency repairs that can result in insurance claims that […]
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Capital Works Considerations
Initial checklist for capital works management All capital works require proper consideration and expertise to ensure that the resulting project is well-managed. Experience has shown that decisions based on the lowest cost generally end up with delays, a higher financial outlay, and possible risk exposure areas. The greater the consideration that is given prior to […]
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What is a Capital Works Plan?
What is a Capital Works Plan? This article provides an understanding of the different requirements for a Capital Works Plan (CWP) as compared with the Sinking Fund Assessment reports under the previous legislation. PRE 30 NOVEMBER 2016 Under the 1996 legislation schemes were required to prepare a 10-year sinking fund plan. That is, a plan […]
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Renovating your Home in Strata
RENOVATING YOUR HOME IN STRATA In strata, there can be a little more to sprucing up your apartment than deciding on a colour scheme and selecting fittings and furniture. Depending on whether your project is classified as a cosmetic, minor, or major renovation there may be additional hoops to jump through. Cosmetic renovations in strata […]
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