Monthly Archives: July 2015

The days of the ‘fireflies’ – smokers who puff away on the balconies and terraces of their high-rise homes – are numbered in NSW. The government hasn’t banned smoking in apartments or on balconies outright but it is handing apartment residents a big ashtray in which to stub out their nicotine addicted neighbours’ nasty habit. In fact, it’s just one word, contained in a footnote to one of 300 clauses in 120 pages of the draft strata law reforms issued for discussion last week. But the reference to cigarette smoke as a ‘nuisance’ (in the legal sense) will have a profound effect on the way we live in apartments and townhouses. It gives strata residents – owners and tenants – the power to take their neighbours to the NSW Civil Administration Tribunal (NCAT) to ask for orders forbidding them from smoking on their balconies, or even inside their own homes.

If this affecting you, or is an issue in your apartment building click here to read more

Article Written by Jimmy Thomson

http://www.titlemagazine.com.au/

The NSW Government is reforming NSW strata laws. This is the first major reform of strata laws since the Strata Titles Act was made in 1973. These reforms seek to bring the strata laws into the 21st century. They will create a modern framework for residents living in strata schemes today.

The expected changes will make it easier for owner’s corporations to manage issues such as pets, parking and by-laws. It will also create a new democratic process for collective sale and renewal of strata schemes. It will also support the responsible management of schemes with new accountabilities for strata managing agents. Establishing a new process to help ensure building defects are addressed early in the life of the building. Implement modern forms of communication which includes new options for strata schemes to keep and issue electronic records, issue email updates, attending meetings ‘virtually’ to allow greater participation in schemes.

As of right now the draft Strata Schemes Development Bill 2015 and Strata Schemes Management Bill 2015 have been released for public consultation outlying the Government’s proposed strata law reforms. You will be able to have your views heard before the Bill is to be finalised. All submissions can be emailed to policy@finance.nsw.gov.au. We are advised that this is the final round of public consultation.

Further information can be obtained from:

• NSW Fair Trading website
• Strata Community Australia (NSW)
• Strata Scheme Management Bill 2015
• Strata Scheme Development Bill 2015

There have been a number of house fires due to an electrical fault in certain models of Samsung washing machines. Luckily there have been no fatalities. Unfortunately there has been extensive damage to properties. Don’t take the risk. Check your machines. If you have purchased a Samsung Top loader machine between 2010-2013 it is worth having a quick check to see if yours is one of the recalled models, please click here to check.