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[murphy99]

Hello owners.  I am curious if anyone out there really knows what their strata manager is doing with your money.  In my experience, it seems nothing only charging huge management fees to sit in a comfortable office and steal thousands if not millions of dollars.  I have had my posts taken off another strata forum website because “i am encouraging owners”  and not the way the owner of the website likes.  Strata managers are getting away with too much and exploiting the legislation or not following it and manipulating absent owners to vote against 1 owner when they are questioned about something.  The strata industry wants to keep alot of their illegal practices quiet and really don’t like the fact that someone is asking questions and letting others know

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[Jimmy-T]

Hope you feel better for having got that off your chest – although I think a slightly more imaginative headline than “strata managers” in a section called “Strata Managers” might have helped your case.

Are you saying all strata managers are dishonest and do nothing?  This is demonstrably not true.  How about the majority?  No evidence of that at all.  In fact, when a strata manager does break the law, this is what happens. Yes, they go to jail.

Now, we have had plenty of examples on this forum of individual strata managers who have been incompetent, lazy, obstructive and been more interested in maintaining their contracts than serving their communities.

But in the 12 years that I have been writing about strata, the industry has given itself a good shake and now has a professional grading system so that individuals can prove that they have the skills and integrity required.

Sure there are bad apples.  But there are also bad strata owners. At least you can sack the strata manager if things get too awful – you are stuck with owners.

Jumping up and down an yelling abuse doesn’t get you very far in life, strata included. Presenting a reasoned argument to your fellow owners will work wonders – if you are prepared to make the effort.

The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.

[murphy99]

 Do you know that strata managers don’t have to be licensed in NSW and that some manipulate owners into using the majority against 1 owner if that owner speaks up.  No I don’t feel better not until something is done to make owners aware of the “games’ that managers andd owners play to get what they want.  There are still managers stealing from owners but no one what to do or say anything because of 1 reason or another or they simply don’t care because most owners have a property as an investmetn and getting rental to pay the bills so managers knowing this exploit the situation and put up fees or charge for this that are not required and because of the majority rule no one can do anything.  You say you have been doing this for 12 years, then you should be aware that managers are still getting caught with stealing and I wonder how many more are out there 

[Sir Humphrey]

If there is a genuine grievance or evidence of wrong-doing there are many ways to address it.

The strata manager acts on the instruction of the executive committee. Right there you have multiple people to hear your complaint. Put it in writing. Be specific, not just a vague accusation. 

The EC has to act as directed by a general meeting unless it would be illegal. The OC must have at least on annual general meeting. You can speak there. If the AGM directs the EC or SM to do something illegal then you have the written evidence you need.

If you have a complaint that is not being addressed by the SM or the EC or the OC at the AGM, or if any of the above are doing anything illegal, you can take it to the tribunal. 

[scotlandx]

What are you talking about murphy99, Strata Agents have to be licensed under the Property Stock and Business Agents Act.  They are required to operate trust accounts.

There are bad agents – I know, I have gotten rid of three.  However, neither of them stole money from us, not even the one who is currently in prison.  You will find bad practice everywhere, that is why it is important to be viglilant.

[Author]

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