Complaints were bought to the strata committee that one of the occupants of the building may be using their apartment as a brothel. So what did Council have to say about this? …well, not much.

In an emergency, we want things we have designed to save lives to work properly. Seatbelts, airbags, smoke alarms etc. In that category, we should also include the humble emergency light.

Question: I have Adjudicators Order to obtain certain financial records of the Body Corporate. The Committee and Strata Manager are refusing access and obstructing the Adjudicators order. What are the next legal steps?

Question: What are the obligations for providing disabled access for strata buildings in the ACT? One of our residents is in a wheelchair and requests improvements to access doors.

Victoria will work with the states, territories and the Commonwealth to raise building standards across Australia, following concerns stemming from flammable cladding and structural crack in buildings.

The Andrews Labor Government will establish a world-first program to tackle high-risk cladding and keep Victorians safe. Premier Daniel Andrews joined Minister for Planning Richard Wynne to announce a $600 million package to fix buildings with combustible cladding.

Thieves can be very opportunistic, often on the lookout for not-quite-shut or even unlocked balcony doors and other access points. What can you do about security in residential complexes?  How can you keep your home and building safe and sound?

A lot owner conducted unauthorised structural work. The owners corporation sought orders in NCAT seeking that the unauthorised works be removed. Despite the lot owner’s appeal, orders were made that the works be removed and the common property be reinstated.

After a recent news article, we take a look at the extent to which the by-laws of a strata scheme or community scheme can be used to exclude children from using certain shared facilities such as the pool in a scheme.

Question: Is it ok for a developer to convene the strata meetings to buy out a strata during the collective sale process? What can we do to take back control?

There are some worrying trends emerging in the caretaking industry as a direct result of the disruptive influence of companies offering short term letting services such as Airbnb online.

Question: The garden directly outside my apartment never gets maintained as I’m the only one affected by it. How can I ensure garden maintenance is scheduled and regular?

Good housekeeping, effective maintenance and routine servicing are paramount in ensuring the building occupants are safe in the event of a fire. Check out our 6 steps to apartment safety.

While Owners Corporations are obliged by law to keep records – including building defect records – the law doesn’t say that they have to be complete, accurate or true.

The NSW Upper House Public Accountability Committee has commenced an inquiry into the role of private certification in protecting building standards and the adequacy of consumer protections for owners and purchasers of new buildings, as well as the limitations on building insurance and compensation schemes.

Question: New management tells me the car park and storage cage I bought and have been using for the past 11 years are not really mine. The new areas are smaller and hard to access. What recourse do I have?

When purchasing strata, buyers are often left in a state of panic when they get their strata report and find there’s missing or incomplete information.

Question: I’m staying with my brother for a few months and using visitor parking. Body corporate has served me a letter saying don’t park there but I’m wondering why I’m not a visitor.

Combustible cladding is set to be completely banned on all new Queensland buildings, following industry support for proposed new regulations that were discussed at this week’s Ministerial Construction Council.

Question: We are a mixed use development with residential and commercial in our building. Commercial does not wish to contribute their share to necessary exterior maintenance of the building. Are they legally obliged?