Archive for November, 2006

It’s not sleazy being Green

Monday, November 6th, 2006

Don’t hold your breath but strata law reform could be the hot political potato at the next State election. City of Sydney Deputy Mayor Chris Harris, launching his Greens campaign for Bligh (aka Clover’s seat), says he wants to put strata law reform at the forefront of his campaign. And Cllr Harris helped to formulate [...]

Backpackers in the block

Sunday, November 5th, 2006

The change of the clocks last weekend means Summer is well and truly on its way and, sadly, for many apartment owners that also means that the annual influx of foreign tourists is headed for their apartment blocks. It’s a huge problem and it’s spreading. One Flatchat reader from a beachside suburb, recently sent us [...]

A building manager hits back

Sunday, November 5th, 2006

A couple of weeks ago, this column applauded the Greens for getting in on the strata act and mentioned, specifically, that we supported their aim to get rid of “ludicrous” 10-year building management contracts. I must admit I was thinking of the developers of large buildings who install their own subsidiaries or mates as building [...]

The Great Pet Gamble

Saturday, November 4th, 2006

Even in these enlightened times when well-behaved pets are welcome in many blocks, would-be unit owners are tripping over regulations that seem to force them to gamble with hundreds of thousands of dollars in the hope that their cat or dog will be allowed in buildings where they hope to buy. It’s a cat and [...]

Car Space – The Final Frontier

Wednesday, November 1st, 2006

The prospective buyer was delighted with the penthouse apartment. The views were fantastic, the fit-out was superb and even the multi-million-dollar price tag was OK. Almost as an afterthought, he asked the estate agent if he could have a look at his “tandem” parking space – that’s a double-length space for parking two cars, not [...]