Buying A Unit & Body Corporate Approvals

One of the most overlooked items when buying a unit is remembering to check that body corporate approval has been granted for any changes. Body corporate approvals are written documents from the Committee to a lot owner granting permission for whatever is being sought. It might be approval to keep a pet, to install a structure, […]
Case Study: The Consequences of Apathy in Bodies Corporate

Apathy in a body corporate is cause for alarm. It’s also a problem that is rife. Many people buy a unit with nothing but a rudimentary understanding bodies corporate and how they work and then proceed to ignore and complain about the body corporate as if it’s of no relevance to them at all. Unfortunately for a […]
What Happens When Body Corporate Budgets Are Not Adopted

The biggest complaint about strata schemes is that the levies are too high! Particularly since levies have a tendency to increase, usually by a small amount year in year out. When they vote at general meetings most owners (if they vote) will vote yes to the legislative motions which include things like confirming the financials and insurance and […]
3 Common Disputes with Building Managers

One of the questions under the “Contracts” section in our Pre Purchase Strata Report is: Are there any disputes with the Building Manager? The question is there because disputes with Building Managers do come up, and they have the potential to be both very expensive and very damaging to the sense of community within the scheme. Essentially […]
15 “Red Flags” In A Strata Search

I spend my days reading reports and trying to decipher what they mean, usually so I can report that information to others in a strata search. As a Strata Searcher you learn pretty early on that it’s best to be thorough in reporting. If you don’t you’ll end up going back to answer questions, or […]
10 Simple Steps To Avoid Body Corporate Disputes

Body corporate disputes are the worst. It’s bad enough fighting with your neighbours but when they live across the hall it adds and extra little dimension of hell that makes life really uncomfortable. It’s impossible to avoid disputes entirely but there are some simple things each lot owner can do that will go a long way […]
Has There Been A Contribution Lot Entitlement Change?

When a body corporate is registered the schedule of interest and contribution lot entitlements are set out in the CMS. But who sets those lot entitlements? The first lot entitlements for any body corporate are set by the developer. Now days contribution lot entitlements are required to be equal, unless being equal would then result in inequity. But […]