Podcast: Want chips with that (plus radio spot)?
With Christmas rapidly approaching and Covid-19 closing in on us again, we thought about not doing a full podcast this week. A quick intro and replay of Jimmy’s most recent…
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In strife but can’t even afford a lawyer’s letter?
We should never underestimate the power of a lawyer’s letter, especially in a strata dispute. At the very least, it lets the recipients know what the law is and, importantly,…
Forum: ‘No-pets’ by-laws dead so bans are bogus
While some strata schemes struggle to deal with the fact that their “no pets” by-laws have been rendered obsolete by the recent NSW Court of Appeal ruling, others seem to…
Podcast: Reno regrets and free strata legal advice
It’s very much a tale of two slices of strata in this week’s Flat Chat Wrap podcast. To begin with, you can listen to two over-privileged, entitled professionals (us) whingeing…
How oodles of cavoodles rode crest of Covid waves
It’s a poll that’s less reliable than the US Election result but more indicative than, say, asking people how much junk food they eat: It’s the most popular dog breed…
Free strata legal service slammed by pandemic
A free legal service set up for strata owner-residents has been overwhelmed by appeals for assistance due to covid-19 lockdowns and lay-offs. Marrickville Legal Centre (MLC) has been providing free…
Queensland-style contract con tricks on their way
First it was “embedded networks” now it’s the pre-sale of management rights – it seems there are some NSW developers who don’t miss a trick when it comes to squeezing…
How to get a bigger bath into a much smaller space
Bathroom Chronicles, Part 11. Well, we’re in the home straight, so to speak. Or, to put it another way, we are no longer going round the bend. The shower screens…
Forum: Spend nothing, do nothing, stay in power
There’s an element of strata living that many people find frustrating if not infuriating. It can probably be best described as a symbiotic relationship between a strata manager who wants,…
Podcast: Mascot in court and how to clinch a deal
In this week’s podcast we catch up with what’s happening at Mascot Towers as owners in the ill-starred building prepare for their day in court. Specifically, they will be pursuing…
Govt. opens website for strata law reform ideas
The latest news out of NSW Fair Trading depends very much on whether you are an optimist or a pessimist. The former will be delighted to hear that the state…
Will tenants be tempted by no-strata-hassle living?
There’s the smell of freshly made coffee and baking cookies wafting through the doorway of a building boasting rental apartments inside, writes Sue Williams, in a recent article in Domain.…
Here’s cheers to the best of the worst of your posts
Following on from our “best of the worst” podcast last week, and as we emerge from our Covid-enforced hibernations, here at Flat Chat we’ve been looking back at a busy…
Online guide blazes trail through defects jungle
A new interactive, user-friendly online guide will help current and future apartment owners discover and deal with building defects, say its authors. Launched this week, the step-by-step guide, devised by…
US city bans smoking in apartments – but not pot
Councillors in one of America’s largest cities have voted to ban smoking cigarettes and vapes in apartments – but not marijuana. According to stories in the online versions of the…
The arrival of the bath is water music to my ears
Bathroom Chronicles, Part 10 The bath has arrived, as promised by the lovely people at Parisi. Although I admit I did have a few last-minute doubts. When the Chinese government…
Forum: Why are our facilities still closed?
As we emerge blearily from our Covid-induced hibernation, obviously some strata schemes are quicker to get back to normal than others. One Flatchatter wants to know why the spa and…
Podcast: Crazy questions, architects with answers
We turn back the clock – but just a little – for this week’s podcast when we look at the weirdest and wackiest questions asked and problems presented on the…