As at 2012, around 3.2 million people throughout the country, or 14 per cent of the population, were aged 65 or older. By 2031, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, that number will almost double to between 5.7 million and 5.8 million (around 19 per cent) and by 2061, … Keep Reading
Strata fees: the levy that buys you freedom
When Jane and Alistair Hunter downsized from a spacious family home 25km west of Sydney to a luxury apartment at Breakfast Point closer to the CBD, it heralded a brand new way of life. Instead of spending time and money fixing, cleaning and maintaining the home, pool or garden the … Keep Reading
Should all apartments have a place in the sun?
The Victorian Government wants to know if a majority of new apartments should have mandated access to direct sun.That’s a questionable idea but requiring sun control should be considered Buildings can incorporate sun control that admits warming sun in winter and blocks hot sun in summer. It works best on … Keep Reading
Identity thieves targeting apartments in Melbourne’s west
Apartment dwellers in Melbourne’s west have been targeted by a sophisticated sim card swapping scam that enables identity thieves to take control of their online bank accounts and fleece them of thousands while they sleep. Mail had been vanishing from Megan’s* letter box since December last year, but it wasn’t … Keep Reading
Victory for short-stays
Short-stay operators breathed a sigh of relief last month, when the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) found owners’ corporation (OC) rules prohibiting the practice were invalid. VCAT member Linda Rowland on June 29 found that the Watergate OC did not have the power to make a rule prohibiting stays … Keep Reading
Electrical “ Time Bomb ” Needs Urgent Government Action
This article concerning the recalled Infinity Cable Co’s imported electrical cabling has been provided by Kim Henshaw, CEO of Strata Community Australia. Another construction material is causing serious concern for property stakeholders off the back of the aluminium cladding issue. A recall issued last year regarding Infinity Cable Co’s imported … Keep Reading
Lost on Loss of Rent? What does it really cover?
his article discussing loss of rent cover has been supplied by Whitbread Insurance Brokers. Most Strata Insurance policies include cover for Loss of Rent, but time and time again we see much confusion over what exactly Loss of Rent covers. Melanie Fama, Broking Operations Manager – Strata at Whitbread Insurance … Keep Reading
Can a pet ban be retrospective?
What do you do when you buy a flat thinking the bylaws allow pets then discover, only after you adopt a moggie, that the rules have been changed? “I have received a letter from strata that I have a cat in my unit and requesting its removal. Along with the … Keep Reading
The battle to keep potentially lethal building products out of Australia
Cheap, highly combustible, Chinese-made cladding that doesn’t meet Australian standards was installed on a Melbourne high-rise that saw fire fly up its 15 stories last year, and now the Senate has announced an inquiry into substandard building products to respond to the alarm over a growing wave of dodgy imported … Keep Reading
Investors ‘under-claiming’ at tax time
The ATO may have warned that it’s targeting property investors this year, but property owners could in fact be missing out on a number of deductions. The ATO recently stated it will write to investors with properties in popular holiday areas to remind them to claim only the deductions to … Keep Reading